When you’re ready to build a website, you’re making an investment in your business’s future. But with so many options out there – from DIY website builders to freelance developers – it can be hard to know where to start.
At Trio, we’ve helped countless clients navigate this process through our staff augmentation and outsourcing development services.
Our developers are not only thoroughly vetted but also have a track record of success. But before you delve into hiring developers for a professionally designed website, let’s look at all the information you will need to know.
What Should You Look for in a Web Developer to Build Your Website?
Experience in Website Development
Not all developers are created equal. You need to know what to look for when trying to find a developer for your project.
When hiring a web developer, experience matters – especially if your site has specific requirements, like e-commerce functionality or integration with well-known third-party tools.
At Trio, we have seen firsthand how a seasoned expert can tackle unexpected challenges quickly and efficiently, which saves you time and headaches and results in cost-effective development.
Look for developers who have worked on projects similar to yours.
For instance, if you’re building an online store, they should be familiar with ecommerce platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce. For a content-heavy blog or business site, expertise in WordPress and everything else content publishing entails is a must.
Portfolio and Previous Work
A portfolio is more than just a showcase of past work; it gives you insight into the process the developers used to create that work. It can be a great way to summarize their skill sets in niche areas.
Take a close look at the websites they’ve built. Do the designs feel modern and engaging? Are the sites responsive, meaning they seamlessly work when visitors click on mobile devices?
At Trio, we’ve found that clients who carefully review portfolios – even if they are just those available on social media – are more likely to find a developer who aligns with their vision.
Knowledge of SEO and Optimization
Building a great website isn’t just about how it looks – it’s also about how it performs. A good developer should understand the basics of SEO (Search Engine Optimization).
This includes creating fast-loading pages, optimizing for mobile, and using proper site architecture. After all, a stunning website won’t do much for your business if it doesn’t rank on Google.
Our team often incorporates SEO best practices into development from the start. This ensures your site is not only visually appealing but also set up for long-term success.
Should You Use a Website Builder or Hire a Developer to Build Your Site?
Pros and Cons of Website Builders like Wix and Squarespace
Website builders can be your best bet if you’re on a tight budget or need something simple.
They come with templates and drag-and-drop features that make them easy to use, even for beginners. Platforms like Wix and Squarespace are great for portfolios, blogs, or small businesses that don’t need advanced functionality.
However, they do have limitations. Customization is often restricted, and adding unique features can be a challenge. These platforms also usually require ongoing subscription fees, which can add up over time.
When to Hire a Developer for Customization
If you want your new website to stand out – or if you have specific requirements, like a custom checkout process or integration with other tools – hiring a developer is the way to go.
Our developers at Trio specialize in creating tailored, impactful solutions that align with your business’s goals.
Whether it’s building from scratch or customizing an existing platform, a professional developer can give you the flexibility and functionality that website builders can’t.
Cost Comparison: Website Builder vs. Freelance Web Developer
While website builders often appear cheaper upfront, they can become expensive over time due to monthly fees. As we have already mentioned, they can also be quite limiting.
Hiring a freelance developer might involve a higher initial investment, but the result is a fully customized website that you own outright.
In our experience, clients who choose developers often find the long-term value outweighs the upfront cost.
How to Find the Right Freelance Web Developer
Where to Search for Freelancers
Start with platforms like Upwork, Toptal, or LinkedIn. These sites allow you to filter developers advertising their services by skill set, experience, and even hourly rates.
You can also ask for recommendations within your professional network – sometimes, word of mouth leads to the best matches.
But, your best is to go with a widely trusted company like Trio. We’ve also built a team of vetted developers who are ready to help with projects of any size.
Evaluating Freelance Web Developer Profiles
When reviewing the profile of a developer or agency, don’t just focus on their skills – look at their reviews, ratings, and project completion history.
A strong portfolio with positive feedback from past clients is often a good sign. And if you’re unsure about their abilities, ask for a short test project to gauge their skills.
A useful tip is to reach out to previous clients directly to get a sense of the developer’s communication and problem-solving abilities.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
We recommend asking the following relevant questions during your initial discussions:
- Have you worked on similar projects before?
- What is your timeline for completing this project?
- How do you handle revisions and feedback?
These questions will help you set clear expectations and avoid surprises down the line. The answers will also give you confidence in your developer’s abilities.
What Are the Key Steps in the Website Development Process?
Initial Consultation and Understanding Requirements
Before you can move on to actual coding, you need to solidify what you want.
A good developer will take the time to understand your goals, target audience, and design preferences. At Trio, we always start with an in-depth consultation to ensure everyone is on the same page.
One crucial task during this phase is to prioritize your website’s key features and functionality.
By clearly defining these upfront, you and your developer can focus on delivering a website that meets your needs without unnecessary delays or revisions. Collaborating effectively on this task helps set the foundation for a successful project.
Designing and Customizing Your Website
Once the requirements are clear, the web design phase begins.
This might include wireframes, mockups, or even interactive prototypes. Collaboration is key here – your feedback will help your designer shape the final product.
For customization, a developer’s coding skills play a crucial role.
This could be anything from tweaking a template to building features from scratch. Proficient programming ensures your website functions seamlessly and aligns with your vision.
At Trio, our developers are adept in various parts of the design process, including front-end, back-end, and full-stack development, so that every level of the website is taken care of.
Testing and Launching Your Site
Before your business website goes live, it needs thorough testing. This includes checking for bugs, ensuring compatibility across devices, and optimizing for speed.
Your site should work seamlessly on mobile, tablet, and desktop devices to provide a consistent user experience.
Our developers always perform multiple rounds of testing to ensure your site is ready for launch. They will also make sure that they are testing the code as they write it to minimize how time-consuming and complex the required fixes are.
How Can You Ensure Your Website is Optimized for Performance?
Importance of Back-End and Front-End Development
A successful website depends on both front-end and back-end development, as we have mentioned above.
While the front end focuses on what users see, the back end ensures the site runs smoothly behind the scenes.
Both areas of development require strong software engineering principles to ensure scalability, security, and efficiency.
Choosing a developer with a solid understanding of web development best practices can significantly enhance your website’s performance and reliability.
SEO Strategies for a Successful Online Presence
SEO (search engine optimization) is a critical part of driving traffic to your site. It allows you to stand out in a saturated digital landscape by appearing in search results.
We recommend incorporating strategies like keyword optimization, fast loading times, and mobile-friendly designs from the start.
Some frameworks are also designed with SEO in mind, like React.js, which is a popular choice for those using JavaScript.
Regular Maintenance and Updates
A website isn’t a “set it and forget it” project.
Regular updates keep it secure and running smoothly. Trio offers ongoing maintenance services to ensure your site stays in top shape.
We don’t just develop and then leave you to deal with the issues. Instead, we help you build trust in long-term tech partnerships.
What Are the Best Platforms for Building Your Website?
Comparing WordPress, Shopify, and Custom Development
| Feature | WordPress | Shopify | Custom Development |
| Best For | Blogs and content-heavy sites. Small businesses. | E-commerce businesses of all sizes. | Complex projects. Highly specific products. |
| Ease of Use | Moderate. Some customization may require technical knowledge. | Very user-friendly drag-and-drop system. | Requires professional developers to build and maintain. |
| Cost | Mostly free, with the exception of hosting. Paid themes, plugins, and tools can be used. | Monthly subscription. The most basic plan is $19, while the most expensive plan is $2300 per month. | There is a high upfront cost for development, but once running, maintenance and hosting are the only costs. |
| Customization | High. You can use themes and plugins. | Limited. Restricted to the platform’s structure. | Unlimited. |
| SEO | Excellent. SEO capabilities and plugins are available. | Good. Basic SEO feature included. | Depends on implementation and requires developers’ attention. |
| Scalability | Great, but costly in terms of hosting. | Great, with a track record for large stores. But costly. | Unlimited. If designed properly, it can scale cost-effectively. |
| Integration | Extensive capabilities. Compatible with many third-party tools. | Excellent capabilities. Built-in integrations with popular e-commerce tools. | Fully customizable. Developers can integrate tools and services with precision. |
| Maintainance | Moderate requirements. Regular updates to themes, plugins, etc. | Low maintenance. Shopify takes care of everything. | High requirements. It needs ongoing updates, bug fixes, and new feature implementations. |
| Hosting | Requires separate hosting. | Hosting included. | Requires separate hosting. |
WordPress stands out as a versatile content management system (CMS), offering extensive customization options for blogs and content-heavy websites.
At Trio, we often recommend this content management system for clients who want flexibility and scalability without sacrificing user-friendliness. Of course, that is provided that they don’t have excessive customization options.
Choosing the Right Template and Design
Templates can be a great starting point, but they should reflect your brand and offer room for customization. Simple websites may benefit from using templates. However, they may also hinder you.
Our developers often help people modify templates to create a unique look and feel, but in many cases, it is better to just start from scratch.
Integration with Other Tools and Services
Whether it’s marketing tools, payment gateways, or analytics platforms, seamless integration is essential.
We highly recommend that you discuss your needs early on to avoid surprises later.
If a website is designed with scalability and future business growth in mind, it should also be relatively easy to integrate features that will be created in the future without needing a full website redesign.
By working with an experienced team like Trio, you can create a website that not only meets but exceeds your expectations and propels your business forward.
If you need any assistance hiring experienced developers and web designers to walk through the process with you or integrate into your team to fill a skill gap, reach out to us to schedule a call and get started. Let us help you bring your vision to life!
