These days finding a website developer is like finding moon in night. Everyday some new companies, freelancers, developers start website development business and the best part is, they get the clients.

When I was launching my first website I remember I visited around 18 website developers ranging from 2 People Company to 400 people company and finally I ended up selecting 400 people company thinking these guys will make the best website (and everything happened opposite).

The most important part for a website owner or a startup is selecting the website developer because he/she is the person or company who will design, develop your dreams. You have to be careful in selecting the website developer, because they are the one who will make the blocks which you will sell.

After knocking the doors of 18 website developer and now running my own website development company, here are the quick thoughts for new web entrepreneurs and website owners on “How you should select, the WEBSITE DEVELOPER?”

Read the “Seven things you should remember before selecting a website developer?”

Point One: Visit at least 5 website developers

Before you finalize a website developer, make sure you visit at least 5 website developers. This activity will give you the best website development cost; the time required for creating/developing your website and most importantly you will get some free advice from the website developer for improving your concept.

This activity will also increase your awareness about website development.

Point Two: Don’t look for a website developer look for a business developer

Most website developers are just programmers, coders who only do what they are asked to do. Beware of these types of developers and especially when you are a startup.

When you select a website developer, select such developer who not only do programming, designing but also have a sufficient knowledge, expertise about your business domain. Otherwise, if you select a person who only knows website development….I bet he/she will make a website which will be at least 20% to 30% different then your actual concept.

Look for such developer who can consult you, who is not looking for your budget but he is focused on developing and improving your website business.

The other most important thing is to explain the website concept to a programmer in his own language. If you find, the website developer you are visiting is only interested in technical part of the website…..then think twice before selecting him.

At WebNeeTech we have 4 project manager and none of them are from programming or technical field. These guys are business experts and have knowledge about various industries, enough knowledge about website and software that they can advice and guide the programmer in the best possible way. They make sure mixing business logic with codes.

Point Three: Collect sufficient knowledge about website development so that no one can fool you.

This is the common mistake that most new web entrepreneurs do. Remember, if you are constructing a building, just don’t focus on “The external walls”…focus more on the internal walls, the foundation, the materials which developer is using for the structure and the design.

When you are planning a website….just don’t focus on the site sketch, the concept…..it’s very important for you that you should know something about the technical aspect of website development. I am not asking that you should know about the programming language, the CSS, HTML or try to learn these things. What I am saying is….know something about it, read about it.

This knowledge will protect you from website developer’s false promises and it will give you a better position to ask right questions to website developers.

This will also help you in explaining your website concept or idea to the programmer in their words and you can also understand his words.

Point Four: Ask, ask and ask….you are the CUSTOMER AND CUSTOMER IS KING.

Remember, if you don’t ask question to a website developer….he / she will never disclose information or conditions which are important for a website development. They may try to convince you to sign the agreement and also try to get the advance payment as soon as possible and once you make the payment, then you will come to know about many things which you should have known before giving advance payment.

Make sure you prepare a list of question (no matter how foolish it may be) and ask these questions to the developer. Don’t count how many questions you have to ask, just ask.

Ask about their company, how many projects they have done, how is their support system, the cost, why they are charging so much, get the price justification, get the time justification, ask, ask no matter how foolish or childish the question may be.

The only chance you get for clarifying your doubts is only before making advance payment to the developer….once you are in; you have to follow their terms.

Point Five: Analysis is paralysis

You know when you do too much analysis….the chance of buying that product comes down by 60%. The same thing is with the website development.

Most of the new web entrepreneurs do so much analysis (Example- I visited 18 web developers) about website developers, do so many meeting before taking final call….and they end up giving their website contract in wrong hands.

Remember, you have to move fast when you are selecting a website developer and also you have to make sure you are selecting the right one. When you do too many meeting with a single website developer… chances are….he will quote your more or will make some false promises to get your contract.

From my experience, I believe you can find whether a website developer is good or bad in the first meeting itself. You can find about his expertise, his way of looking at project and how he will complete it, in the first meeting itself.

Point Six: Check their work; ask for their client reference, their credentials

The most important way to select a website developer is looking at his past work. Before visiting a website developer, make sure you know about his past work, the website they have developed. Find information about his company, their staff size, the office location etc.

Ask developer, the URL of websites they have developed or their client names or their client testimony. This is an important catch….if the website developer don’t share the website they have developed or don’t give client testimonies….its a clear sign about his bad customer service

The other most important way of checking, the website developer work…is INTERNET. Check for reviews about that website developer on internet, possibly you may find someone saying something (either good or bad) about him/her (company).

Point Seven: If you are staying in India, select a developer from India only.

When you are running a big company, have enough staff who can handle your website development project then there is no issue in hiring a website developer who is located in different country or not near to your place.

But when you are just starting your first website, your fist business….make sure you hire a website developer with whom you can meet or talk any time, you can visit his office frequently.