Building Your Online Presence: 10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Website Developer 

5 minute read 

In today’s digital world, a well-designed and functional website is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting your business journey, crafting a strong online presence is key to attracting and engaging your target audience.  

But with numerous website development options available, where do you even begin? 

To ensure a smooth development process and avoid potential pitfalls, it’s crucial to ask the right questions before entrusting your online image to a designer or developer. This blog post will equip you with essential questions to ask your potential website developer, covering crucial aspects like branding, project management, and cost considerations. 

10 Key Questions to Ask Your Potential Website Developer 

1. What experience do you have in website development and design? 

Look for a developer with a solid track record, like The Edge Agency. Our portfolio showcases diverse projects, demonstrating experience in various industries and adaptability to different business needs. 

 Ensure an agency offers both website development and design services, or clarify if you’ll need additional resources like a branding specialist to complete your vision.  

A great example of a website that seamlessly integrates branding elements is Airbnb.  

Their website effectively uses their logo, color palette, and brand voice to create a cohesive user experience. 

2. How will you address branding in website development? 

A skilled website developer can effectively integrate your brand identity by collaborating with you to understand your brand guidelines, story, and target audience.  

They then translate this knowledge by using your logo consistently, applying your color palette throughout the website, and selecting fonts that match your brand voice.  

Additionally, the developer ensures the user experience reflects your brand values, creating a cohesive online presence that strengthens brand recognition. 

3. Do you recommend developing the website in-house or outsourcing? 

Consider whether you want to manage development internally or outsource it to a marketing agency like The Edge Agency.  

In-house development offers greater control but requires technical expertise and resources. Partnering with an agency provides access to their expertise, experience, and established workflows, but may come at a higher cost.  

Understanding the developer’s perspective on this can provide insights into their capabilities and potential collaborations with other specialists. 

4. What is your pricing structure? Do you charge hourly or by project? 

Understand how the agency bills for their services. Hourly rates can be unpredictable, while project-based pricing offers greater cost transparency.  

Clarity on pricing is crucial to avoid surprises. Determine whether the developer charges hourly or offers fixed-rate packages like The Edge Agency. 

Discussing payment structures upfront allows for better budgeting and avoids surprises down the line. This allows for better budgeting and avoids confusion later. 

5. How many revisions are included in the development process? 

Revisions are essential for fine-tuning the website to your expectations. Ask about the number of revisions included in the initial cost and discuss the process for handling additional revisions. 

Unforeseen changes can quickly escalate costs, so having a clear revision policy helps manage expectations and budgets.  

Additionally, discuss the scope of work thoroughly to avoid “scope creep,” where additional features beyond the agreed-upon project scope add unexpected costs. 

Revisions are essential for fine-tuning the website to meet your expectations. Clarify how many rounds of revisions are included in the development process and the cost implications of additional revisions. 

6. Which platform do you recommend for website development? 

Different website platforms, like WordPress or Wix, offer varying features, functionalities, and learning curves.  

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each platform based on your specific needs and technical skills. Explore which platform aligns best with your business goals, whether it’s WordPress, Shopify, or custom-built solutions. For example, if you’re an e-commerce business, Shopify might be a suitable platform due to its built-in shopping cart features. 

An experienced developer will recommend a platform that aligns with your goals and facilitates future growth. 

7. What plugins might be necessary for my website? 

Explore the potential need for plugins to add specific functionalities to your website (e.g., contact forms, booking systems). Understand associated costs and ongoing maintenance requirements for these plugins, as they may impact your budget and long-term website management. 

Plugins can enhance website functionality, from SEO optimization to e-commerce capabilities. Ask the developer to recommend essential plugins tailored to your specific needs. 

8. Is content writing included in the website development process? 

Does the agency offer content writing services? High-quality content optimized for search engines (SEO) is crucial for attracting organic traffic and improving your website’s ranking in search results.  

Determine if their services include content creation or if you need to source this expertise elsewhere.  

9. How will website development impact SEO? 

A well-designed website can positively impact your SEO efforts.  

Ask questions about the developer’s approach to optimizing the website for search engines, including factors like site speed, mobile responsiveness, and meta tags.  

While they may not be SEO specialists, a good developer should understand the importance of SEO-friendly website design and coding practices. This foundation allows for future SEO optimization efforts by your marketing team or an SEO agency. 

10. Can you provide examples of websites you’ve developed that have seen SEO success? 

Asking for examples of websites the developer has built that have seen SEO success isn’t just about admiring their design work.  

By reviewing case studies or specific websites, you can gain valuable insights into the developer’s capabilities in driving organic traffic and improving search engine rankings.  

This allows you to see firsthand how they’ve applied SEO best practices and assess their potential to achieve similar results for your website. 

Building a Website That Drives Results 

Asking these key questions empowers you to make informed decisions when choosing a website developer.  

Remember, your website is an investment in your brand’s future. By partnering with the right developer, you can create a website that reflects your unique brand identity, provides a seamless user experience, and drives sustainable growth for your business.  

By asking these ten questions, you can ensure that you’re partnering with a knowledgeable and reliable professional who understands your unique needs. 

Ready to Take the First Step? 

Let The Edge Agency be your trusted partner in building a website that not only looks good but also delivers results.  

We offer comprehensive website development and design services, including logo creation, SEO optimization, and ongoing website maintenance.  

Contact us today for a free consultation and discover how we can help you turn your online vision into reality.