The right developer is essential to build sites that load fast, convert visitors, and grow your business over time. It’s because they understand how web design connects to your business goals and deliver work that actually ranks well in search engines.
The problem is, many businesses trip up when choosing a developer. They focus on price or flashy portfolios, assuming every web design agency delivers the same results. Some pick based on whoever responds first or promises the quickest turnaround.
This approach leads to missed deadlines, sites that look fine but don’t rank, and expensive rebuilds down the track. This blog post walks through how to evaluate developers properly, so you avoid these mistakes from the start.
What Makes a Developer Worth Your Investment?
A developer becomes worth the investment when they can deliver quality work on time, apply experience that fits your project, and handle project management without constant oversight. To see if someone fits these criteria, start by reviewing their past work and checking if their experience aligns with your project budget.
Review Their Past Work and Completed Projects
Check their live sites first. Those tell you more than portfolio screenshots, especially when you test them on your phone.
If the web design feels current and engaging, that shows they’ve kept up with standards. Outdated work suggests the opposite.
Many Brisbane businesses we know wish they’d tested mobile responsiveness and site structure before signing contracts.
Match Their Experience to Your Project Budget
You’ll run into problems if the developer’s typical work doesn’t match your size. Enterprise developers often overbuild solutions that small businesses can’t maintain or don’t actually need for growth.
That’s because they’re used to larger project scopes and unlimited resources. On the other hand, budget-focused teams might lack the skills for custom features like advanced integrations or performance optimisation.
Someone whose typical projects mirror yours will understand your constraints and deliver work that fits.
Questions to Ask About Project Management and Planning Phase
How a developer manages the work tells you more about the final result than their portfolio ever will. For example, someone with a stunning portfolio but vague timelines will likely frustrate you throughout the build.
The best way to understand their process is to ask about these areas:
How do they approach the planning phase?
Their answer reveals whether they document your content strategy upfront or wing it during development (which happens more than you’d expect). A solid project plan covers everything from site structure to who handles updates.
How often will you receive updates on project deliverables?
Regular updates show accountability. You’ll want to know who your main contact is and whether they keep you in the loop or leave you in the dark.
How do they track progress against your project goals?
Ask about their project timeline and how they measure key performance indicators. This separates organised project managers from chaotic ones who miss deadlines.
What happens if the project scope changes?
Good project team members explain how they handle scope adjustments without derailing the entire project schedule.
These questions might feel basic, but they expose how seriously someone takes the project planning process. If they can’t answer clearly, that’s your cue to walk away.
Website Builders vs Professional Developers
Both options have strengths and limitations, and the right choice depends on your budget and long-term goals. The table below breaks down how each option compares:
| Aspect | Website Builders | Professional Developers |
| Cost | Lower upfront, monthly subscriptions | Higher upfront, custom pricing |
| Setup Time | Quick (days to weeks) | Longer (weeks to months) |
| Customisation | Limited to templates and plugins | Fully custom features and web design |
| Technical Skills | Minimal required | Handled by the developer |
| Scalability | Limited as your business website grows | Scales with traffic and features |
Website builders work well for simple sites, but you’ll hit a wall fast when business growth demands custom functionality or integrations. Take Wix or Squarespace, for example. They’re quick to launch and handle basic business websites fine, but the moment you need custom checkout flows or advanced database integration, you’re stuck.
On the flip side, professional developers cost more initially but create sites that scale as traffic increases and feature requirements expand.
Your technical comfort level is worth considering, too. Builders require you to manage updates and keep your own website up to date, while developers can handle ongoing support and performance optimisation.
So which one fits your situation? If you need a basic business website to establish your online presence and generate leads, a builder might work. If your website strategy includes complex features, custom user journeys, or plans to scale, a developer makes more sense.
Red Flags That Signal a Bad Fit
Most bad developer relationships show warning signs in the first conversation, but businesses miss them while rushing to make a decision. Here’s what to watch for:
- Vague Timelines or Commitments: If someone won’t lock down a project timeline or project deliverables in writing, they know they can’t deliver what they’re promising. This usually means missed deadlines and budget overruns later.
- No Interest in Your Business Goals: Developers who skip questions about what you’re trying to achieve care more about building generic sites than your actual success. They treat you like just a service provider relationship (and yes, we’ve all sat through those rushed discovery calls).
- Silent on Ongoing Support: No mention of what happens after launch leaves you stranded when bugs appear or updates become necessary. If they dodge this question or say “we’ll figure it out later,” walk away.
- Unclear About Scope Changes: This one connects to the commitment issue above. Good developers explain how they handle changes without scope creep destroying your project budget. Bad ones either promise everything fits or stay suspiciously vague about adjustments.
These warning signs are easy to miss when you’re excited about getting started. But catching them early saves you from expensive problems down the track.
Ongoing Support and Performance Optimisation After Launch
Once your site launches, the real test begins with how well it performs and who fixes problems when they appear. That’s when you’ll find out if you’ve got a reliable partner or just someone who disappears after collecting payment.
To avoid that scenario, discuss maintenance packages upfront. Ask what’s included and what costs extra. Some developers bundle ongoing support with their initial build, while others treat every update as billable work.
Performance optimisation works the same way. You need to know if they’ll monitor site speed, fix broken links, and keep your own website up to date without charging hourly rates for small changes.
Response times need clarity, too. Too many site owners end up scrambling at 9 pm on a Friday when their site breaks and nobody answers the phone. Get specific answers about turnaround times before you sign anything.
The difference between good and bad ongoing support shows up months after launch when you actually need quick fixes or want to add features.
Find Your Development Partner, Not Just a Service Provider
Choosing a developer comes down to more than comparing quotes and portfolios. The right fit understands your business objectives, communicates clearly throughout the project planning process, and sticks around after launch to help your site grow.
Don’t settle for just a service provider who builds and disappears. Look for someone who asks the right questions, commits to realistic timelines, and treats your project’s success as their own.
If you’re ready to work with a web design agency that sticks around after the build, BasicLinux can help. We’ve spent over a decade helping Brisbane businesses build sites that actually perform. Get in touch for a free consultation to discuss your needs.