How to Hire a Web Developer (On a Budget)

This blog will explain how to get a decent website done within a tight budget. I'm sure you're either: A) glad to finally have a respectable website that represents your business online or B) it's one of those headaches you know needs attention. Another day in the life of a business owner. When hiring a web developer you have two basic options:

Option 1) Go inexpensive and hire a freelance web developer (cost $500 to $2,000)

Options 2) Go expensive and hire a reputable agency (cost $4,000 to $15,000)

Since I'm trying to save you money, we are focusing on option 1. Keep in mind: You cannot buy a new Cadillac for the price of a high-mileage Ford Pinto. Don't even try. Assuming you have found a trust-worthy web developer, here's the steps for getting a respectable website built, without wasting a lot of time:

Get It In Writing - I'm not saying you need an elaborate, attorney-prepared document. But mandatory elements of the contract are: total cost, monthly hosting charges, payment dates, number of "minor revisions" and a deadline for completing the work. Also, take some notes. Repeat back your expectations to the web designer to ensure good communication. Don't get surprised when the website is completed without certain functionality you thought was part of the agreement.

Special Features - If you saw a website and you must have one just like it...make sure you communicate this clearly up front. The typical freelance developer probably hasn't done anything like it. If he claims he has, be sure to see the website and ask for a reference. If it's a deal breaker and you realize you need a more capable developer, be glad you haven't paid a deposit yet.

Design - Insist on seeing a couple design options. Usually, this includes 1 home page and 1 body page design (to be used on the other 4 or 5 pages within the site).

Document Basic Info - If you ever need something changed with your website, it's no time to start trying to contact that "no-name" freelancer from 14 months ago (who recently moved to Texas). Make sure you know where your site is hosted and what your login credentials are for changing the content on your website.

Plan Ahead - Remember that the web designer will need items from you as well. Site content and images need to be provided to keep the project from stalling. If you drop off the map for two weeks and then ask why the site isn't done, you're heading for Project Disaster. For the sake of both parties, do your part.

Test the Site - When the site is done, click through it. Also, there are no guarantees your small-time developer has tested the site on multiple browser versions. If he did excellent work, he wouldn't be working on the cheap. It's easier to get "weird" problems corrected now than after you've given final payment.

One clarification. This blog assumes you are dealing with a proven freelance web developer. The bad stories we've all heard (e.g. "the third web developer I hired never returned one phone call after he took my deposit...") are usually the result of randomly selecting an individual based on price. Never a good idea. There are productive freelancers out there. Once you find one, head off problems by following the above steps.