How to hire the Right Web Developer For Your Company? | 20 Must-Ask Questions While Hiring
Collections 🗒️When you’re starting a business, one of the most important decisions you need to make is which type of company structure you’ll have and who will fill each role. To help your business succeed, you need employees that are dedicated and willing to do whatever it takes to see the company succeed. In the case of your business being heavily reliant on technology, it might be worth hiring a web developer.
They are responsible for designing and maintaining websites, as well as helping businesses develop their own websites if they don’t have one already. The Internet has made everything incredibly convenient; from ordering take-out to booking flights and hotels. The e-commerce market is projected to grow at an incredible rate over the next few years because more people are buying goods online rather than in stores.
If you want your business to stay ahead of the curve, working with a web developer might be something worth looking into. As such, there are several things that you should ask potential candidates before signing any contracts. Doing so will help you pick the right developer and avoid any future problems or misunderstandings.
The following 20 questions will get you started on choosing the right candidate for your project. So, Let's get started.
Experience
Total Works
Duration
Similar Works Before
Package Details
Platform Used
Portfolio
CMS or Coding
Mode of Work
Time Required
Error Rectification
Compatibility
Search Engine Optimisation
Updates
Site Security
Ownership
Preview
Images
Followup Post-Launch
Right Fit
Experience
How long have you been developing websites? You can ask the web developer how long they've been developing websites by asking them if they have any previous experience, or if they've done any freelance work.
You can also ask them how many websites they've built or where they learned to develop websites.
Total Works
How many websites have you personally worked on? The best way to find out how long a web developer has been in business is to ask them how many websites they've worked on. If they're a newbie, there's no way to know for sure. But if they've been around for a while and have built up some experience, this question will give you an idea of their level of expertise.
Duration
How long will it take to build the website or web application I need? To answer this question, you need to know what you're looking for. Do you want a simple website? Or do you want something more complex that requires more time and attention? If it's the latter, then you'll likely want to hire a professional web developer.
There are a few things that can help speed up the process:
- Have an idea of what you want from your website or web application before contacting a developer so that they can get started on it sooner.
- Have an idea of how much work needs to be done before hiring a developer so that there isn't any ambiguity about what needs to be done and when it needs to be done (this makes sure everyone feels like they're contributing).
- Make sure that any images or files needed for your project are already available on your computer before contacting someone else so that they don't have to spend unnecessary time downloading them again.
Similar Works Before
Have you done work similar to what I am looking for, and can I see examples of your work in that area? This question is designed to help you gauge an idea about the candidate's work. If the answer is "yes," then it's likely that the developer has worked with similar clients in the past, which means they'll know how to handle your project. If you're not sure, ask them!
Package Details
How much will this cost, and what do your services include? There are two kinds of questions you can ask a web developer to help you pick the right one. The first is, "How much will this cost?" and the second is, "What services do you provide?" If you're not sure how much your project will cost, it's a good idea to get a quote from the web development company before you start on the work. That way, you'll know what to expect from day one.
Platform Used
What platform do you prefer to build on (WordPress, Drupal, etc.) and why? This question is one of the most important questions to ask when choosing a web developer. It can be difficult to choose between these platforms because they are all so similar in their functionality. However, there are some differences that could make one platform better than another for your business or project. For example, if you're looking for a website builder that allows you to easily add your own customizations or content later on down the line, WordPress might be right for you. If you want a website builder with more powerful customization tools available at all times, Drupal might be more suited for your needs.
If you're not sure which platform would work best for your project, talk with an experienced web developer about what he or she likes about each platform and how it will help with his or her job responsibilities. This should give you a good idea of whether one platform will be more beneficial than another!
Portfolio
Do you have a portfolio I can look at? This is the most important question to ask because it's the one that will help you decide whether or not to move forward with a developer. You should only hire someone if their portfolio is complete, professional, and speaks for itself.
There are two ways to go about finding a web developer's portfolio: online and offline. Online portfolios are usually more complete than offline portfolios because they can be updated and revised as needed, but offline portfolios can often be more thorough and detailed than online ones. They're also easier to find since there isn't an app for every job in existence (although it's worth noting that some very niche apps exist).
CMS or Coding
Do you use a CMS or Coding? Why? This question is one of the most important ones to ask when hiring a web developer. This question will help you understand whether the job candidate uses CMS (Content Management System) or Coding to develop his task or project. Also, don't forget to ask why he uses that particular method.
Mode of Work
Will you create a new design or are you going to modify an existing template? You should ask this question because it will help you narrow down the field of potential candidates. If a developer is going to create a new design from scratch, they may not have the skills necessary to modify an existing template. This would be a waste of time and money for your company, so it's important that you find out whether or not they can handle this before you hire them.
If a developer does have the skills necessary to modify an existing template, then they have the potential to save both time and money by offering their services at a lower price than someone who needs to start from scratch.
Time Required
How long does it take for you to build a website? This is a great question to ask because it helps you get a sense of how dedicated the developer is to their craft. How long will it take them to do the work they've agreed to? Will they be able to meet your deadlines?
The answer will depend on a number of factors, including the complexity of your project and how much time you need them to dedicate. But generally speaking, if you're looking for a web developer who can create something quickly and effectively, you're probably looking at upwards of four weeks.
Error Rectification
How much time will it take to resolve issues and rectify errors after completion of the website or application? What is the estimated timeline for this process? One of the most important questions to ask a developer is how long it will take to resolve issues and rectify errors after completion of the website or application. The sooner you can get your problem resolved, the better.
The best way to find out how long this process will take is by asking for some samples of past work. If you're not sure what you're looking for, ask about their experience in similar situations. A developer who has never worked on a project with similar problems may not have any idea how long it should take.
Another important factor is the estimated timeline for this process. Even if the developer provides an estimate that seems reasonable, it's always best to get a second opinion from another expert before committing to any project.
Compatibility
Will my website be compatible with all major browsers and mobile devices? Your website is one of your most important assets, and you need to make sure that it looks sharp and performs well in all major web browsers and mobile devices. One way to do this is by asking if your developer can guarantee that the site will be compatible with the latest versions of all major browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Opera.
This will help you find a developer who can help you with future-proofing your site by keeping it up to date with the latest features. It's also important to ask if they can provide support for any new versions of these browsers—as well as older ones—that might come out in the future.
Search Engine Optimisation
Can you build me a website that is search engine optimized (SEO)? By asking this question, you will be able to find out if the developer has any experience in Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) because if they do then they will know exactly what needs to be done in order for the website to rank well on Google and other search engines like Bing and Yahoo!
You should also ask this question if you are planning on hiring an SEO expert because it will help you narrow down your choices when looking for someone who can help you with your project. You should also ask this question if you are planning on hiring a new web developer because it will give them some idea as to what kind of work they should expect from themselves while working on your project so that they can ensure that everything goes smoothly during their time working with you.
Updates
How often will I receive updates on the progress of my website's development or design? The best web developers will be able to answer this question within minutes. They know how much time it takes to build a site, and they can tell you right away whether or not they're on track with your requirements. If you want to make sure that any online business will receive regular updates, then you need to work with a skilled web developer.
Site Security
How does your company manage the security of your site? This is a question that can be difficult to answer, but it's important for you to know. If the company is not taking any steps to protect its users from hacking, then it could be putting your business at risk. It's good practice to ask this question before hiring anyone because it will help you determine if the person has any previous experience in security or not.
It's also important that you ask this question because it will help you understand how they plan on protecting your data and what kind of resources they need in order to do so.
Ownership
Who owns the website once it is completed? When you're looking to hire a web developer, you may be wondering who will own the website once it's completed. The answer is: that it depends on the type of website you're building and how important ownership is to you.
For example, if you're planning on selling your company or getting into real estate development, then ownership of your website is going to be pretty important—but if you're just renting out a couple of rooms in your home, it might not matter as much. In that case, there are other factors to consider when deciding who owns the site (like whether or not there will be an ongoing relationship between your company and the developer).
The bottom line is that it all depends on what kind of project your web developer has on their plate. If they've been working with companies like yours for a while now and have built up relationships with them over time (especially if they've helped them grow in some way), then they should have no problem giving up ownership of their work when the time comes.
Preview
Do I get to preview the site before it goes live? When you're working with a web developer, you want to know that you're getting a product that's going to do what you need and not just a bunch of features that will make your site look pretty but are never going to be useful for you. One way to tell if your web developer has the chops is by asking them this question: "do I get to preview the site before it goes live?"
The answer should be an unequivocal yes. The more you can see how the site is going to work before it goes live, the more confident you'll feel in the process. If your web developer says no, or doesn't answer at all, then it might be time to consider looking elsewhere.
Images
What kind of images will you use for my website design? This will help you determine whether your developer takes pride in their work or if they'll just slap something together without any care.
If your developer is comfortable with their work, they'll be able to tell you exactly how many images they'll need and what kinds of them they want. If not, that's a red flag! You want a web developer who has a firm grasp on the technical aspects of building a site but also knows how to make it look professional and appealing.
Followup Post-Launch
Will there be any follow-up service or support offered by your company after the website launch? When you're selecting a web developer, it's important to ask about how long it will take the company to respond to your questions about your new website. Some developers are quick to answer your questions and offer a ton of support after the site goes live, while others may not be as responsive.
If you want someone who is going to be there for you every step of the way, then look for a company that has an excellent customer service team.
Right Fit
How do I know that you are the right fit for me? It's a good question! The truth is, there's no easy answer to this. When choosing a web developer, it's important to consider their experience, their portfolio, and their level of expertise in the kind of work that you need to be done.
But it's also important to ask yourself what your own expectations are for your web development team—especially if you're a business owner or entrepreneur who wants to be able to manage your site while they work on it.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, finding the right web designer for your project can be a daunting task. That's why it's helpful to have a list of questions that you can use to gauge whether or not you're working with someone who's qualified and capable. Take this list with you as you interview potential candidates, and you should be able to find the right person to bring your dream website to life.
FAQs
Who are Web developers?
Web developers are professionals who create, design, maintain, and update websites.
What is Portfolio?
A portfolio is a collection of all previous works of a professional. Employers can take a look at the portfolio to determine the skillset and experience level of the candidate.
What is SEO?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation. It is the process by which one can rank his/her site or work on the internet and increase its visibility.
What is CMS?
CMS stands for Content Management System. CMS is software that enables creators to create, edit, modify and manage and publish digital content.
Must have tools for startups - Recommended by StartupTalky
- Convert Visitors into Leads- SeizeLead
- Manage your business smoothly- Google Workspace
- International Money transfer- XE Money Transfer