How to choose who builds your website

There are plenty of website builders out there — from freelancers to agencies and from a friend of a friend to a student. The choice is wide, but prices and quality vary enormously. How do you find the website developer that fits your business, who does not disappear once the money has landed and whose work genuinely brings in customers?

In this post we go through the main selection criteria, the red flags and concrete questions you can use to compare candidates.

The criteria to choose by

A good website developer stands out in several ways:

• Portfolio — completed work says more than any promise. Look at whether the earlier sites are modern, fast and work on a phone.
• SEO awareness — does the developer understand how to make a site findable in Google, or do they just build “a pretty picture”?
• Technical quality and speed — a slow site loses visitors and positions in search.
• Support and maintenance after launch — who helps when something needs changing or breaks?
• Ownership and access — who owns the domain, the code and the accounts after handover?

If those five things are in order, you have probably found a dependable partner.

WordPress vs a code-based site

Many developers build everything on WordPress because it is quick and familiar. WordPress has its place, but it comes at a price: constant updates, module vulnerabilities and regular maintenance without which the site becomes a security risk.

In many cases we prefer a modern code-based solution — it is faster, more secure and does not need monthly module updates. Always ask the developer why they recommend the technology they do. A good partner can justify the choice from your needs, not merely from habit.

Red flags

Be careful if:

• The offer is suspiciously cheap and does not specify what is included.
• The developer shows no previous work at all.
• Questions about SEO and speed produce a blank stare.
• You will not be given access to your own domain, code or accounts later.
• Nobody offers support or maintenance after launch.

These are signs that the project may be left half-finished or force you into expensive rebuilds later.

Concrete questions to ask before ordering

Have the same conversation with every candidate and ask:

1. Will you show me some similar completed work?
2. How do you ensure the site is fast and findable in Google?
3. What technology will the site be built on and why that one?
4. Who owns the domain, the code and the access rights after launch?
5. What does support and maintenance after handover include?
6. What is the price and what counts as an extra charge?

The clarity and honesty of the answers say more than any sales pitch.

Do not forget findability

A beautiful site nobody finds does not bring in customers. That is why it pays to think about search engines while you are still choosing the developer. Check whether the partner also offers SEO services and understands the technical side — loading speed, structure and content. Findability is not an add-on; it is part of a well-made website.

Where to start

Before ordering, it is worth reviewing your current situation. Order a free website audit from us — we will give an honest assessment of the state of your site and what would be sensible to do.

If you are looking for a partner who builds a fast, secure and findable site, take a look at our website development service and get in touch. We will talk through your needs and make a clear offer.