Short answer: hire the developer who can show live projects similar to yours, puts scope and price in writing, registers the domain in your name, and clearly explains who supports the website after launch. Everything else is secondary.
The 12-point checklist
- Live work, not screenshots. Ask for links to websites that real customers use today — like our portfolio.
- Similar projects. A store needs someone who has built stores; a booking engine needs API experience.
- Years in business. Developers who have worked for several years have already solved the problems you will face.
- Who will actually build it? In many agencies the work is handed to a freelancer. Ask who writes the code.
- Written scope. Pages, features, revisions and timeline on paper before any payment.
- Payment milestones. A typical, fair split is 50% advance, 25% midway, 25% on completion.
- Domain and hosting in your name. Non-negotiable.
- Code and data ownership. After full payment, the website and its data should be yours.
- Admin panel. Can you update content without calling them?
- Mobile and speed. Open their live sites on your own phone over 4G.
- SEO basics included. Titles, descriptions, sitemap, Search Console setup.
- Support after launch. Response time, what is free, what is billed.
Questions to ask before hiring
| Question | Good answer | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| Can I see 3 live sites like mine? | Shares links immediately | Only templates or mockups |
| Whose name is the domain in? | Yours | "Ours, we manage it" |
| What happens after launch? | Clear support period + plan | Vague or no answer |
| Can I edit content myself? | Yes, admin panel | "Call us for changes" |
| Fixed quote? | Itemised, in writing | Only a verbal number |
Freelancer, agency or platform?
An experienced freelancer gives direct access and lower overheads; an agency bundles marketing and design; website builders are cheapest but limited. We compare them in freelance developer vs agency and custom PHP vs WordPress.
What a good proposal looks like
A proposal you can rely on is specific enough that two people would build the same thing from it. It should include:
- Scope: every page and feature listed, plus what is not included.
- Design: how many design directions and revision rounds you get.
- Content: who writes text and supplies photos.
- Timeline: milestones with dates, and what the developer needs from you at each one.
- Price: itemised, with GST shown separately, and the payment schedule.
- Handover: logins, source code, database and a short guide to the admin panel.
- Support: the free support period and the cost of maintenance after it.
Realistic timelines
| Project | Typical timeline | What slows it down |
|---|---|---|
| Starter website | 1–2 weeks | Late content and photos |
| Business website with admin | 2–4 weeks | Many revision rounds |
| E-commerce store | 4–8 weeks | Product data, payment gateway approval |
| Booking platform / CRM / app | 2–4 months | Third-party API approvals, changing scope |
Contract checklist
- Scope document attached and signed.
- Payment milestones linked to deliverables, not dates.
- Ownership clause: code, design and data are yours after full payment.
- Domain, hosting and third-party accounts registered in your name.
- Confidentiality for your business data.
- Support period and response time written down.
How to compare two quotes
Put both quotes side by side against the same feature list. A cheaper quote often leaves out the admin panel, SEO setup, payment testing or support. Ask each developer to price exactly the same scope; then compare portfolio quality and after-launch support, not just the number.
Red flags
- 100% payment upfront.
- No portfolio links, only Instagram reels.
- "We guarantee first page on Google in 30 days."
- No written scope or invoice.
- They will not hand over logins.
How 2nd Code works
You talk directly to the developer, get a written quote, keep ownership of your domain and code, and get support after launch. Read about Nityanand, browse the case studies, or request a proposal.
Want to see real work before you decide? Browse our case studies — including CoreOnco, City Casa and Super Brain Abacus in Lucknow.
Frequently asked questions
Should I pay 100% upfront?
No. A milestone split such as 50/25/25 protects both sides.
Who should own the domain?
Always you, the business owner, with your own login.
Is a freelancer safe for a business website?
Yes, if they have years of live work, written scope and a clear support plan.
Sources & references
| Source | Checked |
|---|---|
| Google Search Central — Do you need an SEO? | Oct 2026 |
Prices in this article are approximate. Spotted an error? Email admin@2ndcode.com — see our editorial policy.