What to Look for When Hiring a Web Developer
Finding the right web developer can transform your business. The wrong choice leads to missed deadlines, budget overruns, and frustration. Knowing what to look for when hiring a web developer helps you identify candidates who deliver results and fit your organization's culture. Whether you're hiring employees or engaging a web development company, these principles guide smart decisions.
The stakes are significant. Your website represents your brand, drives revenue, and serves customers 24/7. The developer you choose shapes this critical asset. Let's explore what matters most in the hiring process.
Technical Skills Assessment
When considering what to look for when hiring a web developer, technical capabilities come first.
Core Language Proficiency
Depending on your project needs, look for expertise in:
HTML, CSS, and JavaScript fundamentals
Backend languages like Python, PHP, Ruby, or Node.js
Database experience with SQL or NoSQL systems
Version control using Git
A strong candidate demonstrates depth in relevant technologies, not just surface familiarity.
Framework Experience
Modern development relies on frameworks. Verify experience with:
Frontend frameworks like React, Vue, or Angular
Backend frameworks like Django, Laravel, or Express
CSS frameworks like Tailwind or Bootstrap
Ask candidates which frameworks they prefer and why. Their reasoning reveals depth of understanding.
Responsive and Mobile Development
With mobile traffic dominating, developers must build for all devices.
Look for:
Understanding of responsive design principles
Experience with mobile-first approaches
Knowledge of touch interactions and mobile UX
API Integration
Modern applications connect with numerous services. Candidates should demonstrate experience integrating third-party APIs and building their own.
Portfolio Evaluation
Past work reveals future performance. When examining portfolios:
Look Beyond Visuals
Beautiful designs matter, but dig deeper.
Ask about:
Business goals for each project
Technical challenges overcome
Performance optimizations implemented
Team role and specific contributions
Check Live Sites
Visit websites candidates built. Test them on your phone, check loading speed, and navigate thoroughly. Live sites reveal attention to detail and real-world performance.
Review Code Quality
If possible, examine code repositories. Clean, well-organized, commented code indicates professionalism. Messy code predicts future maintenance headaches.
Problem-Solving Ability
Technical knowledge matters less than how developers apply it. To assess what to look for when hiring a web developer, evaluate problem-solving:
Ask About Past Challenges
"What's the toughest bug you've fixed?" "Tell me about a project that went wrong and how you handled it." Answers reveal resilience and learning ability.
Present Real Problems
Describe actual challenges your project faces and ask how they'd approach them. Their thought process matters more than "correct" answers.
Look for Curiosity
Developers who ask thoughtful questions about your business, users, and goals will build better solutions than those who only discuss technology.
Communication Skills
Technical brilliance means little if developers can't communicate effectively. When determining what to look for when hiring a web developer:
Explain Complex Topics
Ask candidates to explain technical concepts in plain language. Can they make the complex accessible? This skill proves essential when working with non-technical stakeholders.
Listen Actively
Do they hear your concerns and respond thoughtfully? Good developers understand before they build.
Documentation Habits
How do they document their work? Clear documentation protects your investment when team members change.
Cultural Fit and Work Style
Technical skills match candidates to projects; cultural fit matches them to organizations.
Team Collaboration
How do they work with designers, product managers, and other developers? Look for collaborative attitudes rather than solo heroics.
Feedback Reception
Ask about times they received criticism. Do they respond defensively or view feedback as growth opportunity?
Work Preferences
Understand their preferred working style—remote vs. office, structured vs. flexible, independent vs. collaborative. Mismatches create friction.
Red Flags to Avoid
Knowing what to look for when hiring a web developer also means recognizing warning signs:
Overpromising
Be wary of candidates who guarantee unrealistic timelines or claim they can do everything perfectly. Honest developers acknowledge constraints and trade-offs.
Technology Dogmatism
Fierce attachment to specific tools without considering project needs signals inflexibility. Good developers choose right tools for each job.
Poor Communication
Slow responses, vague answers, or dismissive attitudes during interviews predict similar behavior during projects.
No Portfolio or Vague Descriptions
Candidates unable to show past work or claiming confidentiality for everything may lack experience.
Bad-Mouthing Previous Employers
How they speak about past clients or employers reveals professional maturity. Discretion suggests professionalism.
Questions to Ask Candidates
Use these questions to assess what to look for when hiring a web developer:
Technical Questions
What's your preferred stack and why?
How do you approach performance optimization?
How do you ensure security in your applications?
How do you stay current with evolving technologies?
Process Questions
Walk me through your development workflow.
How do you handle scope changes mid-project?
How do you test your work?
How do you document your code?
Problem-Solving Questions
Tell me about a project that didn't go as planned.
How do you debug a issue you can't reproduce?
How do you handle technical disagreements with teammates?
Business Questions
How do you learn about a client's business before building?
How do you balance user needs with business goals?
How do you measure success beyond "it works"?
For Agencies vs. Freelancers
Your hiring approach may differ when engaging a web development company versus individual freelancers:
Agencies Offer:
Team depth with multiple specialists
Project management structure
Continuity if individuals leave
Broader service offerings
Freelancers Offer:
Lower costs
Direct communication with the developer
Flexible engagement terms
Personal attention
Choose based on project complexity, budget, and your management capacity.
The Trial Project
For significant engagements, consider paid trial projects. Small, well-scoped tasks reveal:
Communication quality
Technical execution
Timeline adherence
Responsiveness to feedback
Overall working relationship
Trials represent small investments relative to full project stakes.
Making the Final Decision
When synthesizing everything about what to look for when hiring a web developer, trust your judgment. The candidate with perfect technical skills but poor communication may disappoint. The solid communicator who asks great questions may exceed expectations.
Balance technical capability, problem-solving approach, communication style, and cultural fit. The right developer becomes a true partner in your success.
