Most businesses only choose a web developer once every few years, so it’s hard to know what to ask. Portfolios all look good, quotes are hard to compare, and everyone promises a fast, beautiful website.
The build is only part of the story, though. What matters just as much is what happens in year two and year three, when a plugin needs updating, a form stops sending or you want a new page before a busy season. These are the questions that tell you what you’re really signing up for.
What does the website need to do?
Start with your own answer before you talk to anyone. Is the site there to bring in enquiries, take bookings, sell products or answer the same ten questions your team gets every day? A good developer will ask you this early. If the first conversation is all about colours and fonts, that tells you something.
Who looks after it after launch?
Plenty of websites are built by one company, hosted by another and supported by nobody. When something breaks, each points at the other. Ask who does the updates, who checks the backups, who watches security and who answers when you call. The best answer is one team that’s responsible for all of it.
What's it built on, and who owns it?
Ask what platform the site will use, and whether you’ll own it outright. A site built on a well-supported platform like WordPress can be edited by you, looked after by anyone who knows WordPress, and moved if you ever need to. A site built on one developer’s custom code or a closed system ties you to them.
Check who the domain name is registered to, too. It should be your business, not the developer.
Can I update it myself?
You shouldn’t need a developer to change a phone number or a price. Ask to see how editing works, and whether you’ll get a handover or training at the end.
How do you communicate?
Ask who your contact will be, how quickly they usually reply and how they explain technical decisions. Plain English is a good sign. So is someone who tells you when something isn’t worth doing.
Have you built something like ours?
Ask for examples in your industry or at your size. A firm that has built for businesses like yours will already know the questions your customers ask and the features that matter. We’ve built websites for accountants, law firms, medical practices and mortgage advisers, for example.
Red flags worth walking away from
- The domain would be registered in the developer’s name.
- No mention of backups, updates or security after launch.
- A price with no detail of what’s included.
- Pressure to decide quickly.
- Nobody can explain the technical side without jargon.
We build, host and look after WordPress websites, so one team is responsible for your site long after launch.
Local or not?
Plenty of good work happens entirely over video calls, so being local isn’t essential. It does help to be on the same time zone and easy to get hold of. If you’re in Auckland, here’s how we work with Auckland businesses.
The bottom line
Choose the developer you’d trust to look after the site, not just the one with the nicest portfolio. Ask who owns it, who maintains it and who answers the phone, and you’ll know most of what you need to.
