7 Questions

1. Why should we trust you with this project?

Many projects demand the highest quality of work within a limited time frame. What experience do they have? Will they take ownership with you, or merely fulfill their contractual obligation? Listen for evidence that the developer understands the importance of timeliness and quality to your success as well as a clear explanation of how they ensure that expectations are met. Your reputation is on the line.

2. How quickly will you answer our e-mails and phone calls?

Close communication is critical to managing client expectations and ensuring project success. The best web developers will not only be responsive, but they will be proactive in collaborating and communicating project status on a regular basis.

3. What could make your work cost more than you estimate?

Accurately estimating cost is one of the more challenging aspects of web development. It's not uncommon for a project to cost more than originally estimated, but you'll want to know under what conditions this may happen. A good web developer will proactively communicate about how development decisions may affect the cost so that you can maintain control of the budget and timeline.

4. Will the website match the Photoshop design files we give you?

No web developer can fully guarantee pixel-perfect design across all major web browsers and also meet accessibility, search engine and web standards guidelines. But a web developer with a clear understanding of the challenges involved will be able to collaborate with you to balance the need for consistent presentation with project budget, goals and web constraints.

5. How will you help us measure the success of the website?

In today's competitive business environment, delivering meaningful results is critical. A good web developer will help you to translate project goals into measurable online actions and provide you with a way to view the results so you can see what is working and what isn't.

6. Do you have references I can contact?

A second (and third) perspective can shed light on whether a developer is telling you the whole story. Choose which of the questions above are the most important to you. Then contact their references and ask how the developer measures up.

7. What questions do you have for me?

A good web developer will have questions of their own, both about your firm and the project itself. You'll want to hear questions about project objectives, strategy, scope, roles and time frame. Questions about your company may include information about your team, strategic focus, ideal customer and history, as well as what sets you apart from other creative agencies. The best web developers will want to get to know you and develop a close partnership that is long-term and mutually beneficial.