Quick answer
Choose a web developer by starting with your goals, then checking live portfolio sites for speed and mobile use, technical and SEO skills, clear communication, a written scope and support after launch.
Key takeaways
- Start with your goals so you can judge developers against them.
- Look past pretty portfolios: check speed, mobile experience and results.
- Technical, SEO and security skills matter as much as design.
- Clear communication and post-launch support are non-negotiable.
What should you do before you shortlist?
Write down what the site must achieve: enquiries, sales, bookings or a client portal. List must-have features and the systems it must connect to.
A clear brief makes proposals far easier to compare.
How do you review portfolios properly?
- Open the live sites on your phone.
- Run a few through PageSpeed Insights.
- Look for projects like yours in size and complexity.
- Ask what results the sites achieved, not just how they look.
Which skills should you check?
- Speed, mobile performance, accessibility and security.
- SEO basics such as page titles, structured data and redirects.
- A platform recommendation that fits your needs, not their habits.
- Support after launch: updates, backups and response times.
Which questions should you ask?
| Question | A good answer |
|---|---|
| Who owns the site and domain? | You do, with full admin access |
| How do you handle SEO in a rebuild? | Redirects and testing are planned |
| How will we update content? | Training and an easy editor |
| Can we speak to past clients? | Yes, here are references |
What are the red flags?
- Quotes with no detail on what is included.
- Pressure to sign quickly.
- No mention of mobile, speed or SEO.
- The developer keeps ownership of your site.
Our web development team works with businesses across Australia.
How should you compare proposals?
Put shortlisted proposals side by side and note what is included: design, content, SEO, training and support. The lowest quote often leaves things out.
The best value is usually the proposal that matches your goals and explains the plan most clearly.
Bottom line
Pick the developer who understands your goals, explains things plainly and plans for support after launch. A pretty portfolio is not enough on its own.
