A practical checklist for selecting a web developer — with questions you should ask and red flags to watch out for. Based on 20 years of building websites and web applications.
Choosing a web developer is one of the most important decisions for your online business. A mistake at this stage costs not just money but also time, stress, and lost opportunities. Industry research shows that up to 30% of web development projects never launch or significantly exceed their budget — and in most cases, the root cause is choosing the wrong developer.
A structured approach to candidate evaluation minimizes this risk. This checklist contains 10 key criteria to assess each developer against. For each criterion you'll find: what to look for, what questions to ask, and which red flags signal trouble.
If you're just starting your search, first read my guide on how to hire a web developer — it covers the overall process. Then use this checklist as a cheat sheet when interviewing specific candidates.
High Importance
Review the developer's past projects — not just visual design but actual functionality, loading speed, mobile responsiveness, and SEO performance. Look for projects similar in scope and complexity to yours. A diverse portfolio shows adaptability; a narrow one indicates specialization (which can be an asset or a limitation depending on your needs). Always request links to live, working websites — not screenshots.
Red flag: only mockups, no working sites, no links to real projects.
High Importance
Ensure the developer's technology stack matches your project requirements. Key questions: do they use a CMS (WordPress, Drupal) or a custom framework (Next.js, Laravel, Django)? Do they specialize in frontend, backend, or full-stack? Check for modern standards — HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript/TypeScript, responsive frameworks, API integration. A stack mismatch can lead to budget overruns and maintenance headaches.
Red flag: stack doesn't match project needs, pushing a single technology without justification.
Medium Importance
Evaluate how the developer communicates during initial contact. Do they respond within 24 hours? Do they ask clarifying questions or just quote a price? Clear, prompt communication during the sales phase strongly correlates with a smooth development process. Agree on preferred channels (email, Slack, Telegram, Trello/Jira) and expected response times early. Language skills matter — ensure you can comfortably discuss technical topics.
Red flag: slow responses, vague answers, no clarifying questions.
Medium Importance
Understand the pricing structure — fixed price vs. hourly rate vs. retainer. Each has trade-offs: fixed price works well for clearly defined scopes but can lead to change-order disputes; hourly is flexible but may exceed budget; retainer is best for ongoing work. Request a detailed breakdown of what is and isn't included. Ask about hidden costs: hosting, domain registration, SSL certificates, third-party API subscriptions, ongoing support. Compare 3-5 proposals, but remember the cheapest option is rarely the best value. For market pricing, see my guide on website development costs.
Red flag: no itemization, "trust-based" pricing, refusal to discuss hidden costs.
Medium Importance
A professional developer should provide realistic timelines with clear milestones. Avoid developers who promise "2 weeks for any project." Ask how they handle delays and what the change-order process looks like. Look for a phased approach: design approval → development → testing → launch. Each phase should have deliverables, deadlines, and payment milestones. Ask whether they use project management tools with client access.
Red flag: unrealistic timelines, no milestones, no phased plan.
High Importance
Beyond the core stack, evaluate broader technical competencies: version control (Git), testing practices, deployment pipelines (CI/CD), security awareness (HTTPS, XSS/CSRF protection, input sanitization), performance optimization (image compression, caching, CDN), and SEO fundamentals (semantic HTML, meta tags, structured data, loading speed). Ask about their approach to cross-browser testing and mobile-first design.
Red flag: doesn't use Git, no testing procedures, no security awareness.
High Importance
Request contact information for 2-3 past clients with projects of similar scope. Ask specific questions: was the project delivered on time and within budget? How were problems handled? Would they work with this developer again? Additionally, check independent platforms — ratings on Upwork/Freelancer, LinkedIn recommendations, Google Business reviews, and public testimonials. Cross-reference the developer's claims with actual client feedback.
Red flag: can't or won't provide references, testimonials look templated or fabricated.
Medium Importance
A website is never truly "finished." Clarify what happens after launch: is there a warranty period for bug fixes? How are ongoing updates handled? What are the rates and turnaround times for small changes (content updates, feature additions) vs. major overhauls? Do they provide documentation so another developer could take over? What about security updates for CMS plugins/themes or server software? A clear support SLA will prevent you from being stranded after launch.
Red flag: no post-launch plan, can't explain support terms.
Mandatory Criterion
Never start a project without a written contract. Key clauses to review: ownership of code, design assets, and domain after project completion (full IP transfer); confidentiality/NDA provisions; milestone-based payment schedule; dispute resolution process; termination rights (what happens if either party wants to exit). Ensure you retain access to hosting accounts, domain registrars, and admin panels. Clarify who owns the code if you decide to switch developers later.
Red flag: no written contract offered, refuses to discuss code ownership, no payment schedule.
Medium Importance
A developer with experience in your industry will understand specific domain requirements: e-commerce (payment gateways, product catalogs, cart logic), SaaS (user authentication, subscription billing, dashboards), real estate (property listings, maps, search filters), healthcare (data privacy compliance), or media (content management, ad integration). Industry experience typically means less friction, faster delivery, and better UX decisions. However, don't automatically discount a strong generalist — they may bring fresh approaches.
Red flag: no relevant experience whatsoever for a complex industry-specific project.
Use this table to compare multiple developers. Each criterion has a weight: red = highest priority, yellow = medium, purple = mandatory.
| # | Criterion | Weight | Red Flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portfolio | High | Only mockups, no live sites |
| 2 | Tech Stack | High | Doesn't match project needs |
| 3 | Communication | Medium | Slow responses, vague answers |
| 4 | Budget | Medium | No breakdown, "trust-based" pricing |
| 5 | Timeline | Medium | Unrealistic or no milestones |
| 6 | Technical Expertise | High | No Git, testing, or security understanding |
| 7 | References | High | Can't/won't provide contacts |
| 8 | Support | Medium | No post-launch plan |
| 9 | Contract | Mandatory | No written contract |
| 10 | Industry Experience | Medium | No relevant experience at all |
To get the most out of this tool, follow a simple process:
Tip: Don't disqualify candidates on a single criterion alone. Look at the big picture. A developer with average portfolio but excellent references and a transparent contract is often a better choice than a "star" portfolio with no verified reputation.
Also read our comparison of freelancer vs agency for web development to understand which option fits your project best.
I hope this checklist helps you make the right decision. Choosing a web developer is an investment in your business's future, and it deserves a thoughtful approach.
If you're looking for an experienced developer for your project — I'm open to a conversation. I've been building websites and web applications for over 20 years, work with modern stacks (React, Next.js, Node.js, TypeScript), and always prioritize transparent collaboration with clear timelines and fixed budgets. Check out my full range of web development services to see what I can build for you.
Get in touch — let's discuss your project with no obligation and no pressure.
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