Hiring a web developer is one of those things that most businesses will have to do at least once, regardless of the industry they’re in. Whether you are a restaurant owner or a medical company doesn’t matter. People can and will search you up online. Searching for a site online is the most common way for people to find a new company in their area. 

While you may want to try to rely on something along the lines of Facebook to direct people to your business, the truth is it’s rarely a good idea. You really do need to have a website of your own. In most cases, this means that you should (at the very least) consider getting a web developer. 

But, how do you hire one? 

Before you hire a web developer, make sure you need one. Simple pages may be doable on your own using platforms. If you do need one, put together a brief on the type of page you need as well as services you know you should have. Then, accept proposals from developers, compare their portfolios, and choose the most cost-effective option. 

A good web developer is worth their weight in gold. Meanwhile, choosing a bad developer can make you wonder if going into business is even worth it. This guide will help you out. 

Before You Begin: Do You Need A Web Developer?

I will be honest. While it’s great to have a state-of-the-art website, you don’t always need to have a web developer. If you are on an extremely tight budget, then you may be better off just trying to DIY it through the use of a website creation platform like WordPress or Shopify. 

Simply put, there are enough website making apps out there to churn out a cheap placeholder that you can use to show people you’re legit. If you’re only three months into your business, this may make sense. 

However, there are going to be moments when you absolutely need to hire a web developer. If you want to take in sensitive information from clients, then you should hire someone to help you out. This is just a matter of security. 

On a similar note, websites that are extremely complex or have specialty features may need a developer team. If you find that you are “in over your head,” then by all means, hire a web developer. 

How To Hire A Web Developer The Smart Way

I do not suggest going out on a limb and trying to pick a random person off Facebook or a freelance app. The truth is that you should vet your web developers pretty hard. After all, it’s your money and you want to get the most bang out of your proverbial buck. Here’s how to hire a web developer intelligently, step by step.

1. Put Together A Project

You shouldn’t go into a web developer’s DMs cold. You should have a basic idea of what you want to have on your website. Ideally, you will tell them the type of layout you want, what your pages should look like, what information you want to share, and also give them a basic idea of the functions you want the site to have. 

If you want to get a better level of communication with your developers, then you should try to sketch out a couple of examples. Or better still, give them some samples of sites that you really like. In rare cases, mentioning programming languages that you want your web designer to know can help.

One of the reasons why SavvySME is so popular is because it can help you put together a better project through the use of community assistance. 

2. Search Up Web Developers/Post A Job Online

At SavvySME, we have a ton of web developers that have experience with almost every type of industry. That’s a good starting point on your quest, but you have to consider whether you want a generic developer or a developer who works with industry-specific clients.

Honestly, there are some developers that are worth hitting up regardless of the industry you’re in. However, many business owners find that it’s easier to work with web developers who understand the industry, the aesthetics, and the basic functions that people want to see. 

We suggest that you get at least three names that will have the following qualities:

• Experience. No, you shouldn’t get that kid fresh out of the local university to do it. Get a real pro to do it. If they don’t have a portfolio to speak of, you shouldn’t have them on your list at all.
• Reviews. Most people who are worth hiring will have at least one or two reviews on at least one or two platforms.
• Transparency. If you can’t communicate with them, don’t hire them. If you feel like they’re dodgy, then you shouldn’t be around them. Transparency and communication are cornerstones of quality project management. If they can’t offer that, they shouldn’t work for you.

Certifications can also be pretty useful, but only if you feel you need them. Extremely complex projects often do better with certified staff members. While these certificates can act as a way to ensure that you hire people who know what they are talking about, they are not the be-all and end-all of your search. On SavvySME, you can actually get paired with a web developer by answering a handful of questions on our platform. The questions will help you find the developers who fit the bill perfectly, making this an easier option.

3. Dial Them Up And Talk To Them

Next, you will need to reach out to the developers that you may want to hire. This is going to be easy, since most companies will be happy to reach out to you after a brief email. With each web developer that you talk to, you should explain the basic gist of the project. 

Ideally, you will use the drawings and specs you wrote down to help illustrate the concept you want to have come to life. The more information you offer, the better. You want to make sure they have all the information they need to make a good estimate.

4. Interview Promising Candidates

By the time that you’ve hit up a couple of candidates, you probably will notice one or two candidates who stand out in a crowd. Now would be a good time to start talking to them in greater detail.

This is also the time where you should ask developers if they’ve had any experience with projects similar to yours. If they have, ask to see the sites they built as well as portfolio pieces. Don’t be afraid to ask about their aptitudes, what they prefer doing in projects, and more. 

Your goal here is to find a web developer that not only understands your project, but also works well with your company culture. You want to make sure that you get the best potential match. After all, you might end up hiring them for your team long-term. It’s a good idea to ask for a quote at this point. Do not commit to any single developer at this point, as you may need to get a lot more information before you make a solid decision.

5. Read The Quote (If You’re Getting A Freelancer)

It’s important to remember that every quote will have different elements, which means the lowest price tag may not always be the best choice. Find out whether your quote includes security, SSL, SEO articles, updates, and other similar features.

If you don’t know what the quote offers, ask them. Many web developers will charge by the hour. You should be able to get an estimate of the hours required to get the job done this way. If they have a price guarantee (unlikely, but it happens!), then you need to ask what the guarantee covers.

6. Check References

Though it’s very rare, there have been several issues which involved people who claimed to be full-stack developers that lied about their skills. The results were pretty devastating. The projects in question burned through money and often ended up incomplete. Yikes, right?

While it may seem like it’s excessive to do, you really need to check references from all the web developers who applied to your job or gig. If you notice something awry, then you have to avoid that developer. On SavvySME, you can actually see reviews on the person’s profile.

7. Put Together A Contract

People often think that contracts are not necessary, but the truth is that you are going to have to consider it. If things go south, you need to make sure that everyone is on the same page as far as the next steps. 

Drawing up a contract means that you will have the project outlined completely, the number of hours you are willing to pay, as well as any stipulations that you may have. Moreover, you’re agreeing to pay for the work. If the developer does not do the work properly, a clause in the contract should explain what the next steps are. 

Make sure that everyone involved signs that contract. Once you are there, you’ve hired your web developer!

Should You Hire In-House, Or Freelance?

This is a classic question that often boils down to how much you need your web developers and how much you want to invest in them. Hiring them for in-house work means that you will have more control over what they do in the day-to-day of your business’s goings-on. On the other hand, freelancers give you an easier route to firing them. 

Most people who need web developers for a large project or as a major part of a firm will hire in-house. This makes sense simply because you will need people who are totally dedicated to your site or your web app---whichever you feel you want to create. With that said, there are some ways to figure out a happy medium between the two. 

A common saying when it comes to hiring is to “hire slow, fire quick.” While freelancing makes this easy to do, the truth is that it also can be a good way to vet people before you hire them full-time. If they are good as freelancers, chances are they will continue to work well with you as a full-time employee. 

The Next Steps

There’s a lot to take into account when you want to hire a good web developer, and honestly, it’s a process. You’re making a huge investment in your company and that means that you should take your time. After all, it’s better to vet your developers than to have to pay extra to fix mistakes the first people you hired made. 

When you are trying to get a good web developer on your staff, it’s a good idea to go through a service that can help you find one that has all the right specifications. That’s why SavvySME is here to help you out. Start your search today.