The Problem With Finding a Good Web Developer
You've decided your business needs a website. Great. Now comes the hard part — finding someone to build it.
If you've ever Googled "web developer near me" or posted in a local business Facebook group asking for recommendations, you'll know the experience: dozens of responses ranging from "$200 complete website!" to agencies quoting $50,000 for a five-page site.
As someone who builds websites for small businesses daily, here's my honest guide to finding the right developer — and avoiding the wrong one.
Red Flags to Watch For
1. They Can't Show You Recent Work
Every legitimate developer has a portfolio. If they can't show you websites they've built in the last 12 months, that's a concern. Ask for:
- Live URLs you can visit (not just screenshots)
- Results data — did the site actually help the business?
- Client references you can contact
2. They Quote Without Understanding Your Business
If a developer gives you a price before asking about your business goals, target audience, and competitors, run. A proper website isn't just about code — it's about strategy. The developer should ask:
- What does your business do?
- Who are your ideal customers?
- What action do you want visitors to take?
- What's your competitive advantage?
3. They Use Jargon to Confuse You
"We'll build a headless JAMstack with a microservices architecture and implement GraphQL endpoints..."
If a developer talks like this to a small business owner, they're either showing off or trying to justify inflated pricing. A good developer explains things in plain English.
4. No Fixed Pricing
Hourly billing is fine for ongoing freelance work, but for a website project, you deserve a fixed quote. You should know exactly what you're paying before work begins. No surprises. No scope creep charges.
5. They Don't Mention SEO
If your developer builds you a beautiful website that nobody can find on Google, they've failed. SEO basics should be included in every website build:
- Proper heading structure
- Meta titles and descriptions
- Fast loading speed
- Mobile responsiveness
- Structured data markup
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
Here's a checklist of questions that will help you separate the professionals from the amateurs:
Technical Questions
- What technology do you use? (Modern frameworks like React/Next.js are better than WordPress for performance)
- Will the site be mobile-responsive? (This should be obvious, but ask anyway)
- How fast will the site load? (Aim for under 3 seconds)
- Do you handle hosting and domain setup? (You don't want to deal with this yourself)
Business Questions
- Can you show me a mockup before building? (Never approve a build without seeing the design first)
- What is your revision policy? (At least 2 rounds of revisions should be included)
- Do you offer post-launch support? (30 days minimum is standard)
- Who owns the code? (It should be you, always)
SEO Questions
- Will the site be optimised for search engines? (Should be yes)
- Do you set up Google Analytics and Search Console? (This is essential)
- Will you add structured data? (Schema markup helps Google understand your business)
What to Expect: Pricing in the United States
Here's a realistic pricing guide for American small businesses in 2025:
| Project Type | Price Range (USD) | Timeline |
| Landing page (1-3 pages) | $1,500-3,000 | 1-2 weeks |
| Business website (5-8 pages) | $3,000-8,000 | 2-4 weeks |
| E-commerce store | $5,000-15,000 | 4-8 weeks |
| Custom web application | $10,000-30,000+ | 6-12 weeks |
Important: Cheaper isn't always better. A $500 website that doesn't generate enquiries costs more than a $5,000 website that pays for itself in 2 months.
The Development Process: What to Expect
A professional web developer should follow a clear process:
Phase 1: Discovery (Week 1)
- Initial consultation (should be free)
- Understanding your business and goals
- Competitive analysis
- Clear proposal with fixed pricing
Phase 2: Design (Week 1-2)
- Wireframes or mockups
- Your approval before any coding begins
- Revision cycle for design changes
Phase 3: Development (Week 2-4)
- Building the site with modern technology
- Regular progress updates
- Staging preview link for you to review
Phase 4: Launch (Week 4)
- Final review and testing
- Domain and hosting setup
- Google Analytics and Search Console setup
- Training session so you can update content
Phase 5: Support (Ongoing)
- 30-day free support period
- Optional maintenance plan
- Performance monitoring
My Approach
I work exclusively with small businesses because I understand your constraints: limited budget, limited time, and the need for real results — not just a pretty website.
Every project I take on follows the process above, with fixed pricing, clear timelines, and no jargon. Whether you're a café in New York, a contractor in Chicago, or a boutique in Los Angeles, the goal is the same: build you a website that brings in more customers.