A website is often the first place customers meet your business, so choosing who builds it matters. The good news is that you do not need to understand code to hire a freelance web developer well. You need to be clear about what you want, know what to check, and make sure you stay in control of your site once the work is done.
This guide walks through the process on Tasksyy, from deciding what you need to handing over the finished site.
Decide what kind of work you need
“Web developer” covers a wide range of work. Start by working out which of these is closest to your situation:
- A new website. You have no site, or you are starting again from scratch.
- A redesign. Your site works, but it looks dated or is hard to use.
- Fixes and updates. Something is broken, slow or out of date.
- An online shop. You want to sell products and take payments.
- A custom feature. You need something specific, such as a booking system or a members’ area.
Each type suits a different kind of developer. Someone who builds simple business sites quickly may not be the right person for a complex online shop, and the reverse is also true.
Know the platform, or ask for advice
If you already have a site, find out what it is built with. Common platforms include WordPress and Shopify, and some sites are built with custom code. Tell developers which platform you use, because most specialise in one or two.
If you are starting fresh and are not sure which platform to use, say so. A good developer will recommend one based on what you need and how much you want to edit the site yourself.
Choose how to hire: a Service or a Project
On Tasksyy there are two ways to hire a developer. Our guide to choosing between a Service and a Project covers this in more detail, but in short:
- Buy a Service when your need is standard and well defined, such as “a five-page WordPress site” or “speed up my website”. Services have fixed packages with a price, a delivery time and a set number of revisions, so you know what you are getting before you pay.
- Post a Project when your work is custom, or when you want developers to suggest an approach. Freelancers send Proposals, and you choose the one that fits your brief and budget.
You can browse Services first to see what developers offer and at what prices. Even if you end up posting a Project, this gives you a useful sense of the market.
Write a clear brief
Whether you post a Project or message a Freelancer about a Service, a clear brief saves time on both sides. For a website, include:
- The goal. What should the site help you achieve? For example, more enquiries, online bookings or product sales.
- The pages or features. List the pages you need and any features, such as a contact form, a blog or a shop.
- The platform. Your existing platform, or a request for a recommendation.
- What you will provide. Text, images, a logo and brand colours, or a note that you need help with these.
- Examples. Two or three sites you like, with a sentence on what you like about each.
- Budget and timeline. A budget range and any fixed dates.
Our guide on how to write a Project brief includes a template you can adapt.
Check a developer’s work, not just their words
When you compare developers, look for evidence rather than claims.
Look at live sites
Screenshots show how a site looks. A live site shows how it works. If a developer shares live examples, open them on your phone and your computer. Check that pages load reasonably quickly, that menus work and that forms are easy to use.
Look for relevant experience
A developer who has built sites similar to yours will usually need less explanation and make fewer wrong assumptions. If you run a restaurant, examples of hospitality sites are more useful than a portfolio of software company pages.
Read the Freelancer’s profile
On Tasksyy, a Freelancer’s profile shows their skills, languages, other Services and reviews from previous orders. Our guide on choosing the right Freelancer explains what to look for in more detail.
Ask the right questions
A short conversation before you hire tells you a lot. Useful questions for a web developer include:
- “How would you approach this site, and what would you need from me to start?”
- “Will I be able to edit the text and images myself after handover?”
- “How will the site work on phones and tablets?”
- “What happens if something breaks after the site goes live?”
- “Is anything I might expect not included in your price?”
Clear, specific answers are a good sign. Vague answers, or answers that avoid the question, are worth noting.
Agree the scope before work starts
Most problems with website projects come from different expectations. Before you hire, make sure you both agree on:
- The number of pages and the features included.
- Who is writing the text and supplying images.
- How many rounds of revisions are included.
- When you will see a first version.
- What “finished” means, ideally as a short checklist.
If you are buying a Service, check the package details carefully. They set out what is included, the delivery time and the number of revisions.
Stay in control of your website
This is the part many first-time buyers miss. Your website, domain and hosting should belong to you, not to the developer.
- Domain name. Register it in your own name and keep the login yourself.
- Hosting account. Ideally in your name. If the developer sets it up, make sure ownership is transferred to you.
- Website admin access. You should have your own administrator account, not just a login the developer creates for you later.
- Files and licences. If paid themes, plugins or images are used, check who owns the licence.
- Backups. Ask how backups are handled, and where they are stored.
Give developers the access they need to do the work, and change or remove that access once the order is complete.
Review the delivery carefully
When the developer delivers, take time to test the site before you complete the order:
- Click every link and menu item.
- Submit every form and check that the messages arrive.
- View every page on a phone as well as a computer.
- Check the spelling of your business name, phone number and address.
- Make sure you can log in and edit a page yourself.
If something needs changing, request a revision through Tasksyy within what your package or agreement includes. Be specific. “The contact form on the About page does not send an email” is easier to fix than “the form is not working”.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing only on price. A lower price can mean a smaller scope. Compare what is included, not just the total.
- Adding features halfway through. New ideas are normal, but agree the extra work and cost before the developer starts on it.
- Leaving the text until last. Missing content is one of the most common causes of delay. Start writing early.
- Moving off the platform. Keep communication and payment on Tasksyy, so you both have a clear record of what was agreed.
If you are still working out your budget, our guide on how much it costs to hire a freelancer explains what affects the price.
