What questions should I ask a web developer? The 20 that protect your money and your website
Hiring a developer is mostly about asking the right questions before you pay. Get ownership, total cost, timeline and maintenance pinned down up front and you'll avoid the traps that cost small businesses thousands. Here's the full checklist — plus an honest look at when you don't need to hire anyone at all.
The five questions that matter most: Will I own the domain, code and all accounts? What's the total cost (build + domain + hosting + maintenance), and is it fixed? What's the timeline with milestones? Who edits the site after launch and what do changes cost? Which platform will you use, and can I update it myself? Get every answer in writing before a deposit changes hands.
TL;DR
- • Ownership first: domain, hosting, code, content and logins in your name — in writing.
- • Ask for total cost, not the build fee: add domain, hosting and ongoing maintenance.
- • Pin the timeline to milestones, with a clear revisions and handover policy.
- • Confirm who edits the site later — per-change fees are the biggest hidden cost.
- • Or skip hiring entirely: with SitesPlaced you can build and publish a real site or store for free, no code — and have a person set it up for you on a paid plan.
The questions, grouped by what they protect
| Question | What a good answer looks like | Priority | Why it matters | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Do I own everything? | Domain, code, content, accounts in your name | Critical | Get it in writing before paying | Avoid being held hostage at renewal |
| What is the total cost? | Build fee + domain + hosting + maintenance | Critical | Ask for a fixed quote, not hourly only | Freelancer ~₹5k–₹50k+ · agency ₹30k–₹5L+ |
| What is the timeline? | Milestones with dates, not just an end date | High | Late penalties or revisions policy? | Simple sites: days–weeks, not months |
| Who handles updates later? | Edit it yourself or pay per change? | High | Hourly change fees add up fast | Ask for a CMS or self-edit access |
| What platform will you use? | Custom code, WordPress, or a builder? | High | Plugin/theme costs are ongoing | Custom = harder to maintain alone |
| Can I see live work? | Real launched sites you can click | Medium | Beware screenshots-only portfolios | Call a past client if you can |
Price ranges are approximate and region/2026-dependent: freelancers (Fiverr/Upwork) ≈ ₹5,000–₹50,000+ ($50–$1,000+); agencies and custom builds ≈ ₹30,000–₹5,00,000+ ($1,000–$10,000+). Always confirm scope in writing.
1. Ownership & access — ask these first
- Will the domain, hosting and all accounts be in my name and email? The single most important question. If the developer owns your domain, they own your business's front door.
- Do I get the full source files and admin logins at handover? Yes is the only acceptable answer.
- What happens to my site if we stop working together? You should be able to move on without losing anything.
- Is there a written contract covering ownership and deliverables? No contract is a red flag — walk away.
2. Money — pin down the total cost
The build fee is rarely the real number. A freelancer might quote ₹15,000 to build the site, but then there's the domain (~₹800–₹1,200/yr), hosting (~₹2,000–₹10,000/yr), a premium theme or plugins, and per-change fees later. Agencies and custom builds run far higher — ₹30,000 to ₹5,00,000+ ($1,000–$10,000+) — and that's genuinely worth it for a complex custom web app with bespoke logic or heavy integrations. For a brochure site or a small store, it usually isn't.
- Is this a fixed price or hourly? Fixed-scope quotes protect you from runaway bills.
- What's included vs. extra? Content writing, images, SEO setup, payments and email are often quietly excluded.
- What are the ongoing costs after launch? Hosting, maintenance retainers, and per-edit fees.
- What's the payment schedule? Milestone-based beats a big upfront lump sum.
3. Timeline, process & maintenance
- What's the timeline, with milestones? A simple site is days to a couple of weeks, not months.
- How many rounds of revisions are included? Get the number; extra rounds cost money.
- Can I edit text, images and prices myself after launch? If every change means an invoice, costs creep forever.
- Will the site be mobile-fast and SEO-ready? Ask about Core Web Vitals, meta tags and a sitemap.
- For a store: UPI, COD, WhatsApp orders, inventory, GST invoices? Confirm checkout, shipping and tax are handled — not bolted on later.
Or skip the questions entirely
Here's the honest part. If you're building a complex, custom web app, hire a good developer and ask every question above. But for most small businesses, sellers, portfolios and shops, you can avoid hiring anyone. With SitesPlaced you can build and publish a real website or online store for free — unlimited products and orders, UPI + COD + WhatsApp checkout, inventory, coupons, PDF invoices and order emails, all at 0% commission, no code. There's no ownership trap because the account is yours. When you're ready for your own custom domain, online card payments via Razorpay, AI copy and Shiprocket shipping, the Ecommerce plan is ₹499/month ($14.99) — and it comes with a dedicated person who sets the whole thing up for you. So you either build it yourself in an afternoon, or someone does it for you, without the freelancer guessing game.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most important questions to ask a web developer before hiring?
The five that matter most: (1) Will I own the domain, code, content and all accounts in my name? (2) What's the total cost — build fee plus domain, hosting and maintenance — and is it fixed? (3) What's the realistic timeline with milestones? (4) Who edits the site after launch, and what do changes cost? (5) Which platform will you use, and can I update it myself later? Get the answers in writing before you pay a deposit.
Do I own my website after a developer builds it?
Only if you arrange it. Always insist that the domain, hosting account, source files, login credentials and content are registered in your name and email. A common trap is a developer who owns your domain or hosting and charges you to release it. Put ownership in the contract before any money changes hands.
What are red flags when hiring a web developer?
Watch for: no written contract, refusal to give a fixed quote, owning your domain or accounts on your behalf, no live portfolio you can click, vague timelines, large upfront payment with no milestones, and per-change fees for tiny edits. If you can't get clear answers on ownership and total cost, walk away.
What should I ask about website maintenance and updates?
Ask: Can I edit text, images and prices myself, or do I have to pay you each time? Is there a content management system or admin panel? What's the monthly maintenance cost, if any? Who renews the domain and hosting? Unplanned per-change fees are the biggest hidden cost of hiring a developer for a small site.
Do I even need to hire a web developer in 2026?
For a complex custom web app — bespoke logic, integrations, large data — yes, a developer or agency is worth it. But for most small businesses, sellers and portfolios, a no-code builder like SitesPlaced lets you build and publish a real website or online store for free, with UPI/COD/WhatsApp checkout and 0% commission, and no code. You skip the hiring questions entirely — or let a SitesPlaced person set it up for you on a paid plan.
Not sure you need to hire at all?
Build and publish a real site or store for free — 0% commission, UPI/COD/WhatsApp built in. Or let a SitesPlaced person set it up for you.