Hiring website developers for small business can feel like navigating a minefield, especially if you are a non-technical business owner.
Some developers truly understand your needs and deliver excellent value. But far too many will offer flashy designs while lacking the business acumen to support your goals, leaving you with a subpar website that doesn’t deliver any real value.
Be very careful before you partner with a website developer as the wrong choice can backfire terribly later, when it is too late to pull out.
The key to ensuring that your website developer is up to the task is to interview them thoroughly before you sign the contract. Don’t worry if you do not have experience with website development or technical knowledge. If you follow the questionnaire in this article, then you are off to a good start.
Start with a Solid Interview Process
Choosing the right website services for small businesses begins with interviewing potential developers. It’s not about quizzing them on coding languages or tech jargon – it’s about understanding their process, experience and how they align with your business needs.
Questions to Ask Your Developer
- What experience do you have working with small businesses in my industry?
Developers who have worked with small businesses understand the challenges you face, like tight budgets and the need for high ROI. They’re more likely to offer tailored solutions instead of cookie-cutter websites. It is also important that they have some understanding of the dynamics in your specific industry, so they can create an authentic and inclusive website that engages with the challenges experienced by your target market. - Can I see examples of websites you’ve designed?
A developer’s portfolio speaks volumes. Look for sites that reflect diversity in design and functionality and consider whether their work aligns with your vision. Do not get distracted by meaningless animations or other ‘cool’ features, as these very often serve no real purpose and diverts attention away from your true business value. - How do you ensure the website supports my business goals?
The best developers think beyond aesthetics. They’ll ask about your target audience, business objectives and how the website fits into your broader marketing strategy. If they do not ask you these questions, it may be a sign that you are heading in a direction that will not add any meaningful value to you or your prospects. - What is included in your website services for small businesses?
Be clear about what you’re paying for. Does their package include SEO optimization, ongoing support, updates to content after launch, renewal of your domain and management of email? Transparency at the start prevents unpleasant surprises later. - Who will own the website and its content?
Ensure you have full ownership of your website, domain and content. This is crucial for maintaining control over your online presence if you change developers in the future. Insist on receiving a backup copy of your website in a format that can be used by someone else at a later stage. - How will you support me after going live?
Website development is not the same as website hosting, so you need to understand where your website will be hosted. Will your developer still be responsible for looking after your website and hosting, or will they rely on the hosting company to do so? If they hand your technical support over to someone else, how will this affect you? What exactly will they be responsible for? How will you interact with them if you require support or updates to your website? - What is the true investment required, over time?
Some website developers will include hosting and other services in the package they offer you. This could be a great solution for you, but they will very often make the true cost seem lower than it actually is, to persuade you to proceed. This leaves you with surprise expenses later that may have caused you to turn down the offering if you had understood them up front. By the time you discover these additional costs, you are so deeply invested that it is too costly to cancel.
Understanding Their Business Acumen
Not all website developers for small business have a strong grasp of business principles and this is where many projects go wrong. You need a developer who understands how to convert visitors into customers and support your long-term goals.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
- Focus solely on aesthetics: A beautiful website is great, but if it doesn’t drive conversions or reflect your brand, it’s not doing its job.
- No interest in your business goals: Developers who skip discussions about your target audience, goals, or pain points may not deliver a website that works for your business.
- Pushy upselling: Beware of developers who push unnecessary features or services that don’t align with your needs.
The Template Trap
Some developers rely heavily on pre-designed templates, which may not be a problem if done thoughtfully. However, templates that are poorly customized or fail to reflect your brand identity can make your business look generic. A skilled developer will adapt templates creatively to fit your business needs.
You need to take similar precautions with the use of AI. AI tools can add tremendous value in the development, design and content generation of your small business website. However, these tools tend to offer very generic results that will not necessarily represent your unique business value.
The Value of SEO and Performance
A visually stunning website isn’t enough – it needs to be easy to find. Your developer should have a basic understanding of SEO principles to ensure your site ranks well in search engines.
Key SEO Features to Discuss
- Fast loading times: Slow websites frustrate visitors and hurt your rankings.
- Mobile responsiveness: With most users browsing on mobile devices, your site must look and function well on any screen.
- SEO-friendly design: Clean coding, meta tags, and keyword optimization should be standard. This can be rather technical, so ensure your developer can explain their approach to you in words you understand.
Protecting Your Investment
Hiring a website developer is an investment in your small business, and like any investment, you need to protect it.
Steps to Safeguard Your Website
- Have a detailed contract: Your contract should outline the project scope, timeline, payment terms, and deliverables.
- Secure your domain and hosting: Register your domain in your name and choose a reputable hosting provider.
- Back up your data: Regular backups ensure you won’t lose valuable information in case of a cyberattack or technical issue.
Your Take-Aways
Finding the right website developers for small business is about more than technical skills. It’s about partnering with someone who understands your vision, communicates effectively, and has the business acumen to support your goals.
By asking the right questions, spotting red flags, and emphasizing communication, you can avoid common pitfalls and ensure your website becomes a valuable asset for your business.
Ready to take the next step? Start your journey to a professional and impactful online presence by working with a developer who truly understands your needs.
–
Photo credit: Christina Morillo
Not sure how to do this?
If you are not sure how this applies to your unique circumstances or how to get started, please contact us and we will be happy to share some further thoughts with you.
