Hire a web developer: match the person to the job

Which kind of web developer

If you cannot name the job, a one-page brief helps. Our website brief template gives you the headings, and our custom website vs template guide helps you decide how much to build from scratch.

Four routes to hire

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics describes the web developer role and publishes pay data for employees, which helps you cost an in-house hire. Contract rates differ from salaries, so ask for quotes for your specific job.

Do not decide on the hourly rate alone. A slower developer at a lower rate can cost more than a faster one at a higher rate, and neither number tells you about quality. Ask for a fixed quote with the scope written out, then compare the scopes first and the totals second.

Write the brief before the first call

• Goal: what should the site do for the business, in one sentence.
• Pages and features: a list, even a rough one.
• Content: who writes it and when.
• Integrations: forms, CRM, email, payments, analytics.
• Examples: three sites you like and what you like about each.
• Deadline and budget range.

Sending the same brief to each candidate makes quotes comparable. Differences in price then reflect real differences in approach.

What to check before you pay

1. Past work that is liveOpen it on a phone. Check speed, forms and whether it still works.
2. OwnershipDomain, hosting, CMS logins and code repository in your name from the start.
3. Speed and search basicsPage speed, titles, redirects, a sitemap and mobile layout are part of the scope.
4. AccessibilityKeyboard use, contrast and image text. Legal duties vary by country; check with your lawyer.
5. Payment schedulePay in stages tied to working demos, not the calendar.
6. After launchA support window for fixes, and a price for ongoing care.

Use our web development RFP template if you want a formal request for several suppliers.

Ask also for a plain list of every recurring cost: domain, hosting, premium plugins or themes, email, and any paid tools. Agencies and freelancers sometimes resell these with a margin, and that is acceptable if it is stated. What matters is that the accounts are in your name and the renewal dates are on your calendar.

Interview questions

1. Which platform would you pick for this site and why not the others?
2. How will my team edit content after launch?
3. How do you keep pages fast on phones?
4. What do you test before you show me a build?
5. How do you handle a change request in the middle of the project?
6. What do I need to renew each year, and what does it cost?

How hiring Liftup works

Liftup Technologies is a team of 10 to 50 people, founded in 2018, with its head office in Pune and offices in Coventry and New York. We build on WordPress, WooCommerce, Shopify, Webflow and Next.js and work remotely in your hours.

A short call settles the job. A fixed quote follows within one working day, with one lead and a demo every week. The site, accounts and code are in your name. The rate is $30 an hour and projects start at $1,500. For typical prices read the website cost guide, learn about our website development service, see more roles on the hire page, or contact us.