8 Questions I Would Ask Before Hiring a Web Developer
- Dani Whitestone
I’ve learned the hard way that hiring a web developer (or an agency) can turn into a total nightmare if you don’t ask the right questions.
I’m talking about the kind of nightmare where you:
wait months for a project that “should’ve been done yesterday”
find out your agency outsourced everything to random freelancers and blame everything on them
end up with a website you can’t make small updates to without begging someone for weeks
have a developer vanish with all your logins, files, and assets
These aren’t rare horror stories either. They happen all the time. So if you want to avoid the madness, here are the 8 questions I would personally ask before letting anyone touch my website or marketing strategy.
1. Who will actually be doing the work?
Many agencies outsource design, development, copywriting, or SEO. Outsourcing isn’t automatically bad — it can bring in talented experts who don’t live locally. The key is whether the agency has a clear process for managing external contributors so your project doesn’t turn into chaos.
Ask:
Who specifically will work on my project?
Are they employees, contractors, or an external team?
How do you ensure quality and communication when work is outsourced?
2. What is the exact timeline — and what do you need from me?
Timelines are where most projects stall. A good agency should give you a realistic plan, including phases, deliverables, revision rounds, testing, and launch.
Ask:
What deadlines will I need to meet to keep the project on track?
How long is each phase expected to take?
Remember: your responsiveness matters too. If you can’t provide feedback or assets on time, even the best agency will stall.
3. What is the purpose of the website — and how will success be measured?
A website isn’t just a pretty design; it’s a tool that should help your business.
Ask:
What is the main goal of this website?
How will performance be measured (conversions, SEO, traffic, etc.)?
How will the design guide users toward that goal?
If the focus is only on aesthetics, not results, that’s a red flag. 🚩
4. What platform will you use, and will I be able to maintain it?
Every platform has pros and cons. WordPress, Webflow, Shopify, Squarespace, or custom-coded solutions all work — the difference is how much control you want over future updates.
Ask:
Why is this platform right for my business?
Will I be able to update text, images, and pages myself?
Will I need ongoing developer support or a maintenance plan?
5. Who owns the website, assets, logins, and code?
Ownership should never be negotiable. Before signing anything, confirm:
You own the domain, hosting, design files, and content
You have all logins and passwords
You own the code and aren’t locked into proprietary tools
Too many clients get locked out when developers disappear — this protects you from that nightmare. 🚩
6. How do revisions work, and how do you collect feedback?
Revisions can derail timelines if not clearly defined.
Ask:
How many rounds of revisions are included?
What counts as a “revision” vs. new work?
How do you prefer to collect feedback?
This keeps your project moving without endless back-and-forth.
7. How will communication and project management work?
Poor communication is a top complaint. You need clarity from the start.
Ask:
Will I have a dedicated project manager?
How often will we meet or get updates?
What is the typical response time for questions or issues?
8. How do you handle SEO, performance, mobile optimization, and post-launch support?
A modern website must function well, load quickly, and convert.
Ask:
How will SEO, site speed, and mobile responsiveness be addressed?
What training, documentation, or support will I get after launch?
Who do I contact if something breaks or needs updating?
Your site doesn’t end on launch day — this ensures long-term success.
Extra Red Flags to Watch For 🚩
Very low pricing (“too good to be true”)
No contract or vague contracts
Jargon-heavy explanations
High-pressure sales
No recent references
High team turnover
No documented process
Inconsistent communication patterns
Hesitation to share logins or ownership details
Final Thoughts
Hiring an agency or developer shouldn’t be a leap of faith. Asking these 8 questions will help you avoid the biggest headaches — slow timelines, hidden outsourcing, lack of ownership, surprise costs, and disappearing developers — and find a partner who actually has your back.
These questions don’t just help you hire the right team; they protect your time, your investment, and your peace of mind.
Have other questions? Just send me a note at dani@daniwhitestone.com.
To your success!
❤️ Dani