What to Ask Your Web Developer
Hiring a web developer represents significant investment and important partnership. Knowing what to ask your web developer before starting ensures alignment, prevents misunderstandings, and sets your project up for success. Whether you're engaging a web development company or working with an individual freelancer, asking the right questions reveals capabilities, process, and fit.
Let's explore essential questions across key categories to ask potential development partners.
Questions About Process and Methodology
Understanding how developers work prevents surprises.
"Can you walk me through your development process?"
Good developers have clear, documented processes. They should explain stages from discovery through design, development, testing, launch, and beyond. Vague answers suggest lack of structure.
"How do you handle project management?"
Ask about tools (Jira, Trello, Asana) and practices (daily standups, weekly reports, sprint planning). Clear project management keeps work on track and you informed.
"How often will we communicate, and through what channels?"
Establish expectations for updates. Weekly status reports? Daily check-ins? Email, Slack, or scheduled calls? Regular communication prevents surprises.
"Who will be my primary point of contact?"
Know who you'll interact with daily. Will you speak directly with developers or work through a project manager? Understanding communication flow sets expectations.
"How do you handle feedback and revisions?"
What's the process for reviewing work and requesting changes? How many revision rounds are included? Clear feedback processes streamline collaboration.
Questions About Technical Approach
Understanding technical decisions helps evaluate competence.
"What technology stack do you recommend for my project, and why?"
Good developers explain reasoning behind technology choices—not just naming frameworks but connecting choices to your specific needs. Look for thoughtful explanations, not dogmatic preferences.
"How do you ensure my site is secure?"
Security questions should receive detailed answers about SSL certificates, secure coding practices, vulnerability testing, and ongoing monitoring. Vague assurances about "being secure" aren't sufficient.
"How do you approach mobile responsiveness?"
Every site must work on phones and tablets. Ask about testing across devices, responsive design approaches, and mobile-specific considerations.
"Will my site be optimized for search engines?"
Technical SEO matters. Ask about semantic HTML, clean URLs, structured data, and performance optimization—all factors affecting search visibility.
"How do you ensure fast loading times?"
Performance questions should address image optimization, code minification, caching strategies, and content delivery networks. Speed affects both user experience and search rankings.
Questions About Experience and Expertise
Past performance indicates future capability.
"Have you built sites like mine before?"
Similar experience reduces learning curve. If they've worked in your industry or with similar functionality, they'll anticipate challenges and know what works.
"Can I see examples of your work and speak with past clients?"
Portfolios show capabilities; references reveal working relationships. Contact past clients to ask about communication, problem-solving, and overall satisfaction.
"What challenges have you faced on similar projects, and how did you overcome them?"
Honest discussion of past difficulties reveals problem-solving ability. Every project has challenges; how they handled them matters.
"What do you wish clients knew before starting projects?"
This question reveals their experience working with clients. Their answer shows what they value and where misalignments commonly occur.
Questions About Timeline and Budget
Practical questions prevent scope and cost surprises.
"What's your availability to start my project?"
If they're too busy now, when can they start? Rushed developers may delay or deliver poor work.
"How long will my project take?"
Ask for timeline breakdown by phase—design, development, testing, launch. Understand dependencies and what might cause delays.
"How do you handle projects that take longer than expected?"
Good developers communicate delays early and explain causes. Avoid those who simply let deadlines pass silently.
"Can you provide detailed estimate breaking down costs?"
Detailed estimates show thoughtfulness. Look for line items representing different work types, not just single lump sum.
"What's not included in your estimate?"
Understanding exclusions prevents surprise charges. Third-party integrations? Content population? Post-launch support? Clarify boundaries.
"How do you handle changes or additions during the project?"
Scope change is inevitable. Good developers have clear processes for evaluating and pricing change requests. Avoid those who refuse changes or accommodate everything for free (suggesting they'll cut quality elsewhere).
Questions About Content and Assets
Understanding who provides what prevents gaps.
"Who provides the content for my site?"
Typically, you provide written content, images, and branding assets. Clarify expectations early—content creation takes time and often delays projects.
"What format do you need content in?"
Some developers want Word documents; others prefer structured spreadsheets. Knowing requirements helps you prepare appropriately.
"Do you provide copywriting or photography services?"
If you need help with content, ask whether they offer these services or can recommend partners.
Questions About Post-Launch Support
The relationship shouldn't end at launch.
"What happens after my site launches?"
Ask about warranty periods for bug fixes, ongoing maintenance options, and support availability.
"How do you handle security updates and maintenance?"
Websites need ongoing updates to stay secure. Ask about maintenance packages or recommendations for keeping systems current.
"What training do you provide for managing my site?"
If you'll update content yourself, ask about training and documentation. Will they teach you to use the CMS? Provide written guides?
"How quickly do you respond to issues?"
Service level agreements matter. For critical problems, what's the response time commitment?
Questions About Ownership and Rights
Legal clarity protects your investment.
"Who owns the code and design when the project is complete?"
You should own what you paid for. Ensure contract specifies full ownership transfer upon final payment.
"Will I have access to all passwords and accounts?"
You need administrative access to hosting, domain registration, and CMS. Never let developers retain sole control.
"What happens if we part ways?"
If you stop working together, you need ability to maintain your site independently. Ask about code handoff and transition support.
Red Flags in Responses
Watch for concerning answers:
Vague process descriptions
Reluctance to provide references
Guarantees that sound too good
Dismissive responses to questions
Pressure to decide immediately
Unwillingness to put terms in writing
Poor communication during sales process
The Partnership Mindset
Beyond specific questions, look for partnership orientation. Good developers:
Ask questions about your business and goals
Offer suggestions based on experience
Explain trade-offs clearly
Acknowledge what they don't know
Show genuine interest in your success
The Bottom Line
Knowing what to ask your web developer transforms hiring from guessing game to informed decision. The right partner welcomes questions and provides thoughtful answers. Their responses reveal not just capabilities but working style, values, and fit with your needs.
At Jia Pixel, we welcome all these questions and more. Understanding what to ask your web developer helps you choose wisely—and we're confident that when you ask, you'll like what you hear from our team of experienced website designers and web developers.
