How to Hire a Freelance Web Developer Without Getting Burned

You've decided your business needs a custom website. You know what it should cost. Now comes the hard part: finding someone to actually build it.

Hiring a freelance developer can be one of the best decisions you make for your business — or one of the worst. The difference comes down to knowing what to look for, what to ask, and how to structure the relationship so both sides succeed.

Here's everything I've learned from being on both sides of this equation.

Where to Actually Find Good Developers

Not all channels are equal. Here's what works and what doesn't:

Best options:

• Referrals from people you trust. By far the most reliable way to find a good developer. Ask other business owners who built their site. If they're happy, that's your strongest signal.
• Developer portfolios and personal sites. Good developers tend to have their own website showcasing their work. If their own site is fast, well-designed, and professional — that's a good sign.
• LinkedIn and professional networks. Look for developers who share their work and engage with their industry. It shows they care about their craft.

Use with caution:

• Freelance marketplaces (Upwork, Fiverr). There are good developers there, but they're buried under thousands of low-quality profiles. The race-to-the-bottom pricing attracts people who cut corners. If you use these platforms, filter aggressively and ignore anyone charging less than $40/hour.
• Cold outreach from developers. If someone emails you unsolicited offering to build your website, they're almost certainly not someone you want to hire. Good developers don't need to cold-email for work.

How to Evaluate a Developer Before You Hire

Portfolios and testimonials are table stakes. Here's how to dig deeper:

Visit Their Live Sites

Don't just look at screenshots. Go to the actual websites they've built. Test them on your phone. Run them through PageSpeed Insights. If the sites they built for clients are slow and clunky, yours will be too.

Ask About Their Process

A good developer should be able to clearly explain how they work: how they gather requirements, how they share progress, how they handle revisions, and what happens after launch. If the answer is vague or they seem to be making it up on the spot, that's a red flag.

Look at Their Tech Stack

You don't need to understand the technology yourself, but ask what they build with and why. A developer who can explain their choices in plain language — and who uses modern, well-supported tools — is someone who thinks about their craft. Be cautious of anyone still building with outdated technology.

Check Their Communication

Pay attention to how they communicate during the sales process. Are they responsive? Do they ask good questions about your business? Do they push back thoughtfully when you suggest something that might not work? The way they communicate before you hire them is the best version you'll get. If it's already slow or unclear, it won't improve.

Questions to Ask Before Signing Anything

These will save you from most bad situations:

• "What does your timeline look like?" A realistic developer gives specific milestones, not just an end date. "You'll see the first draft in 2 weeks, revisions over the next week, and we'll launch in 6 weeks" is a good answer.
• "What happens if I need changes after launch?" Some developers disappear after delivery. You want someone who offers ongoing support — even if it's paid hourly. Ask how they handle bugs, updates, and future enhancements.
• "Who owns the code?" The answer should be you. Full stop. Make sure this is in the contract. You should receive all source code and be able to host it anywhere you choose.
• "What do you need from me?" Good developers ask this upfront because they know that missing content, delayed feedback, and unclear requirements are what derail projects. If they don't ask, they haven't thought it through.
• "Can I talk to a previous client?" A developer who's done good work will happily connect you with past clients. If they won't or can't, ask yourself why.

How to Structure the Deal

Payment Terms

Never pay 100% upfront. The standard structure that protects both sides:

• 30-50% upfront to start the project
• 25-35% at a midpoint milestone (usually when the first version is ready for review)
• 25-35% on completion and delivery of all files

This keeps both sides motivated. The developer has money to start working, and you have leverage if things go sideways.

Get It in Writing

Even if it's not a formal legal contract, you need a written agreement covering:

• Exactly what will be built (scope)
• Timeline with specific milestones
• Total cost and payment schedule
• Number of revision rounds included
• Code ownership
• What happens if either side needs to cancel

A good developer will already have a standard agreement. If they resist putting things in writing, walk away.

Define "Done" Clearly

The biggest source of conflict in web projects is scope ambiguity. "Build me a website" means different things to different people. Get specific: how many pages, what features, what integrations, what devices it needs to work on. The more specific the scope, the smoother the project.

Red Flags That Should Make You Walk Away

• They promise everything will be done in a week. Quality work takes time. If it sounds too fast, they're either using a template and calling it custom, or they're going to miss the deadline.
• They don't ask questions about your business. If they jump straight to design without understanding who your customers are and what you're trying to achieve, they're building a brochure — not a business tool.
• Their price is dramatically lower than everyone else's. Web development has a floor cost. If someone quotes $500 for work that everyone else quotes $5,000 for, you're not getting a deal — you're getting a different product entirely.
• They won't show you work in progress. You should see your site taking shape throughout the process, not just at the end. Regular check-ins protect both sides.
• They use your project to learn new technology. There's nothing wrong with developers learning, but your business project shouldn't be their training ground. Ask if they've built similar sites before.

How to Be a Good Client

This goes both ways. The best outcomes happen when clients:

• Provide content on time. Most project delays happen because the client hasn't delivered their text, images, or feedback. Have your content ready, or hire a copywriter.
• Give specific feedback. "I don't like it" isn't helpful. "The header feels too heavy and I'd prefer a cleaner look — something like [example]" is actionable.
• Trust the developer's expertise. You hired them for a reason. If they push back on a request, listen to their reasoning. They may be saving you from a mistake they've seen before.
• Respect the scope. Adding features mid-project is the fastest way to blow up a timeline and budget. Save new ideas for phase 2.

The Bottom Line

Hiring a freelance developer doesn't have to be risky. The developers who do great work aren't hiding — they're the ones with live portfolios, clear processes, honest communication, and happy past clients.

Take the time to vet properly, put the agreement in writing, and communicate openly throughout the project. When both sides do their part, the result is a website that genuinely moves your business forward.