In short: To hire a freelance web developer, first decide what your website must do and what you can spend. Write a short brief, shortlist a few freelancers whose past work matches what you need, have a proper conversation with each, compare written quotes like for like, and check who will own the domain and site. Agree staged payments and a clear process before any work starts.
Hiring a freelance web developer can feel like a gamble if you have never done it before. You are trusting someone with an important part of your business, and it is hard to judge technical skill when you’re not technical yourself.
The good news is you don’t need to understand code to hire well. You need a clear idea of what you want, a sensible process for comparing people, and an eye for a few warning signs. I have been on the other side of this conversation many times, so here is the process I’d follow if I were hiring someone.
A quick note on words: “web developer”, “web designer” and “website designer” get used loosely. Strictly, designers focus on how a site looks and developers on how it works, but most freelancers who build small business sites do both. If you are curious, I’ve explained the difference in Web Designer vs Web Developer.
Before you contact anyone
Step 1: Be clear about what you need
Before you contact anyone, write down the answers to these:
- What is the site for? Enquiries, bookings, selling products, or building trust.
- Is it a new site or a redesign? If you already have one, note what isn’t working.
- Do you need to sell online? An online shop is a different size of project.
- What pages do you think you need? A rough list is fine.
- Who will update it? You, a staff member, or the developer.
- Have you got your content? Text, photos, logo and reviews.
You don’t need perfect answers. But the clearer you are, the more accurate the quotes will be, and the easier it is to compare them.
Step 2: Work out a realistic budget
Think about two costs: the one-off cost of building the site and the ongoing cost of running it (domain, hosting, updates and support). Many people only budget for the first.
You don’t have to tell a freelancer your exact figure, but a rough range helps them suggest what is realistic. My guide on how much a website costs in the UK explains what affects the price.
Step 3: Write a short brief
A brief is just a summary of your project. One page is plenty. Include:
- A couple of sentences about your business and customers
- The main goal of the website
- Your rough list of pages or features
- Two or three websites you like, and what you like about them
- Your rough budget range and any date that really matters
- Whether you need ongoing hosting and support
Sending the same brief to everyone makes comparing quotes much fairer.
Finding and vetting freelancers
Step 4: Find and shortlist freelancers
Good places to look include recommendations from other local businesses, searching online for a freelancer in your area, and checking who built websites you admire (often there is a credit in the footer).
Then shortlist two or three. When looking at each one, check:
- Their portfolio. Do they build the kind of site you need? Do the sites load quickly and work well on your phone?
- Their platform. Do they build on mainstream platforms such as WordPress or Shopify, which another developer could pick up later?
- Reviews. Look for comments about communication and support, not just design.
- Their own website. If it is slow, broken or out of date, that tells you something.
For example, if you run a window and door business, someone who has built sites in that trade will already understand what your customers look for. You can see examples on my portfolio page.
Step 5: Have a proper conversation
Never hire a web developer from an email alone. Have a call or meet up. You are looking for someone who asks good questions about your business, explains things in plain English and is honest about what they would and wouldn’t recommend.
I have written a full list of questions to ask a web designer before you hire them, with what a good answer sounds like for each.
Comparing quotes and agreeing terms
Step 6: Compare quotes like for like
Quotes can look very different because they include different things. Put them side by side and check each one covers:
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Design approach (custom or template) | Affects how well the site fits your business |
| Number of revision rounds | Tells you how much input you get on the design |
| Content (who writes it, who adds it) | Often a hidden extra |
| SEO basics (titles, descriptions, sitemap) | Should be built in, not an afterthought |
| Mobile-friendly design | Most of your visitors will be on a phone |
| Training | So you can edit the site yourself |
| Hosting, domain and ongoing support | The costs that continue after launch |
| Payment terms | When you pay, and how much |
The cheapest quote isn’t always the best value. A quote that leaves out training, SEO basics or support can cost you more later.
Step 7: Agree the details in writing
Before work starts, make sure you have in writing:
- What is included and what isn’t
- The process, from design through to launch
- How many rounds of revisions you get
- When and how you will pay
- That you will own the domain name and have full admin access
- What happens after launch: hosting, updates and support
On payment, a staged approach protects both sides. With my website packages, you pay in three stages: a small first payment when you order, the main payment when you approve the mockup, and the final payment before the site goes live. You can see how it all fits together on my how I work page.
Red flags to watch out for
Most freelancers are honest and good at what they do. But these warning signs are worth taking seriously:
- Promises of “page one of Google” or guaranteed rankings. Nobody controls Google. Good developers build solid foundations and are honest about the rest.
- Asking for full payment upfront. Staged payments are normal. Paying everything before you see anything is a risk.
- Registering the domain in their own name. Your domain should belong to you.
- No examples of real, live work. Screenshots alone aren’t enough. Ask for links.
- No questions about your business. If they jump straight to price, they can’t build something that fits you.
- A price that seems far too low. It might mean a template with your logo dropped in, or big extras added later.
- Vague answers about hosting or support. You need to know what happens if something breaks.
- Unusual or private platforms. A system only they can edit can lock you in.
- Slow or patchy communication before you have even hired them. It rarely gets better afterwards.
Step 8: Plan for after launch
A website needs looking after once it is live. Security updates, backups and occasional fixes all need doing. Before you hire, ask whether the freelancer offers ongoing care or whether you’ll need to arrange it elsewhere. I offer an optional monthly hosting and care plan that covers hosting, security updates, backups and support.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find a good freelance web developer near me?
Start with recommendations from other local businesses, then search online for a freelancer in your town or area. Shortlist a few whose portfolios match what you need, and have a proper conversation with each before deciding.
Should I pay a freelance web developer upfront?
Paying a small deposit upfront is normal, but paying the full amount before you’ve seen anything is a risk. A staged payment plan, tied to milestones such as approving the design, is fairer for both sides.
What should I include in a website brief?
Include a short description of your business, the main goal of the site, a rough list of pages or features, a few websites you like, your budget range and whether you need ongoing support. One page is enough.
How do I know if a web developer is any good?
Look at their live websites on your phone and check they load quickly and are easy to use. Read reviews about communication and support. In conversation, a good developer asks about your business before talking about price.
Who should own my website and domain name?
You should. The domain should be registered in your name and you should have full admin access to the site. That way, you can move to another developer later if you ever need to.
Thinking of hiring a freelancer?
If you are looking for a freelance web developer for your small business, I’m happy to have a free, no-obligation chat about your project. Take a look at my services to see what I build, then get in touch and tell me what you need.
