Picking the right developer is arguably one of the most important decisions you can make to guarantee your project’s success. Let’s explore some key points on what to look for and what to stay away from.
Key takeaways 👌
Propper website developer can create a product that’ll grow sales by up to 40%
Working with a professional web studio can minimize all the hassle, saving time and resources
Turnkey website development is also about analytics, testing, and optimization, rather than just development
Introduction
Building a website is a lot like building a good, sturdy house - the final result is strongly dependent on who’s actually doing the work. Let’s dig a bit deeper to find just the right team to bring your vision to live.
Just like experienced salesmen, web developers attend to needs, rather than just showcase the product. Experienced developers will always focus on business results, rather than the tool set needed to achieve them. Nobody wants a hammer. They want a nail in the wall
What to look for when choosing
Study the portfolio
- Pretty designs are just that - pretty. You’ll need to look beyond visual appeal to find true specialists:
- Real, functional projects with proven metrics (not just mockups)
- Websites similar in complexity and tone to yours
- Client testimonials and case studies that prove the results
- Impact on business (sales growth, conversion rates, etc.)
A reliable developer will always begin with structured preparation. A clear technical specification aligns expectations, prevents rework, and ensures that both sides understand the scope and requirements before any design or coding begins.
Evaluate the work approach
- Do they take time to really understand your business and study its needs?
- Do they recommend doing some analytics work before jumping straight into development?
- Can they explain every stage of their work process? How transparent are their work practices?
- Is there a clear project roadmap? Can the developer provide it on the first notice?
The best websites are born not from technical specifications, but from a deep understanding of user needs and business goals.
— Jeffrey Zeldman, usability expert
How to conduct an interview
Your very first meeting with the developer is a great testing ground for their skills and professionalism. Here are some key questions for you to discuss:
- Overall business goals and what results do you expect from your website
- All the stages of development with deadlines and timelines attached
- The technical side of a project: what software will be used, what can be implemented
- What are post-launch support conditions
If the developer can clearly explain their workflow, ask about their approach to website development as a whole — from discovery and architecture to launch and post-release improvements. A mature process is often more important than individual technical skills.
Interesting fact 👀
Provincial police departments in the UK once redesigned their website, implementing Contensis CMS. As a result of this relatively small project, organic traffic to both sites increased by a third, the UK government saved around £750,000 and the number of hoax phone calls dropped by 80%. Ahh, the wonders a well-developed website can do.
Technical expertise assessment
And, of course, there are quite a few specific topics you can raise to evaluate your future hire's technical expertise:
- Does he understand and actively use modern software?
- What’s his approach to security and optimization?
- Is he knowledgeable enough about your particular industry?
- Does he have any experience and/or skills of integrating business-systems?
Strong technical specialists also understand how a site should be structured for long-term SEO growth. Ask whether they consider information architecture and SEO-optimized site structure during development — this directly affects traffic, indexing, and conversion.
That CMS implementation example managed to catch your interest? Read our article How to choose a CMS: A beginner’s guide to get acquainted with CMS
Recommended to explore:
The largest platform for showcasing and finding creative work and specialists. Great place to check for potential contractors.
One of the largest developing platforms. A wonderful search ground for some quality technical specialists.
UI/UX design heaven. Excellent choice if you’re looking for inspiration or specialists in that area.
Conclusion
An expert web developer is basically the only person who can help turn your bright ideas into a working and profitable business. So don’t get too hasty here - ask your potential hirees all kinds of questions there are to ask and get to know each other before signing that contract.
And if you’re looking for your next partner in crime, then the Toimi team is always here to discuss what digital solutions we can wire into your project for maximum optimization and efficiency!
Artyom Dovgopol
The best developer isn't the one who does everything you want, but the one who helps you understand what your business really needs 😉