Thinking about getting a professional-looking WordPress website built for your business? Need a redesign of your current site? Or maybe you want to bring your WordPress website up to current design standards? If you answered yes to any of these, you’ll need the right WordPress Expert to match. We’re here to help: this article outlines the top 10 questions to ask before hiring a freelance WordPress developer.

Finding the right WordPress developer starts with knowing how to identify them. Begin by narrowing down potential candidates and preparing for interviews. The initial screening is the easier part: look at resumes and experience. Do they align with your needs and budget? Have they worked on similar projects, and do they have a portfolio website? Once these preliminary checks are done, you can proceed to step two: interviews. Interviews are an opportunity for potential hires to showcase their skills.

This article won’t be covering the pre-interview checklist. Instead, we’ll focus on ten essential project-specific questions to ask your potential freelance WordPress developer. These questions are often overlooked, leading to dissatisfaction for both parties. Asking them will increase your chances of finding the right fit. So let’s dive in!

1. Project Timeline: Questions to ask a freelance WordPress developer

Clearly define, set, and agree on the project’s duration. Be aware that a solo developer might require five times longer than a WordPress development company to build your site.

Establish realistic deadlines with your chosen developer to prevent any confusion, particularly if they outsource parts of the project (more on this in question 6).

2. Revisions and Edits

Experienced freelance web developers know that clients often only solidify their preferences after seeing the first draft. This highlights the importance of wireframing to avoid spending hours building something unsatisfactory.

During the hiring process, understand your freelancer’s policy on revisions. Is there a fixed limit? What happens if you exceed it? Are extra revisions free?

3. Payment Terms: Questions to ask a freelance WordPress developer

Every freelancer operates differently: some prefer hourly rates, others project-based fees, and some work on commission. Discuss and agree on a payment method before signing any contracts, as this can vary depending on the scope of work.

4. Custom Build or Pre-made Template?

WordPress and other platforms offer a plethora of themes and ready-made templates. Consider whether you need a website built from scratch or if a pre-made template would suffice. Discuss your decision and its implications with your potential freelance WordPress developer.

5. SEO & CRO Considerations

Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for your WordPress website’s visibility and ranking. Discuss SEO with your potential developer, as they might not prioritize best SEO practices. Equally important is conversion rate optimization (CRO), which refers to the percentage of users who complete a desired action on your site, such as clicking “Buy Now” or visiting a specific page. Discuss CRO with your developer to ensure your website not only attracts traffic but also converts visitors into customers.

6. Outsourcing Policies

Outsourcing is common practice. However, problems arise when it’s not disclosed. Multiple hands in the project can lead to miscommunications and errors. Therefore, it’s crucial to discuss this with your potential developer. Find out if they outsource and, if so, what their process is.

7. Web Design Expertise

While WordPress website development implies building the website, it doesn’t inherently include the “design” aspect. While some developers possess web design skills, it’s not a universal standard. Clarify this with your potential developer. Determine who will be responsible for the design. Will they handle it, collaborate with a web designer, or will you provide the design direction? Will this impact the overall cost?

8. Mobile-friendliness: Questions to ask a freelance WordPress developer

With over half of global web traffic originating from mobile devices, mobile-friendly websites is more crucial than ever! Discuss with your potential freelance WordPress Developer your target audience’s primary device usage – mobile, desktop, or a balance of both – and ensure the website caters to those needs.

9. Website Asset Ownership

Once your website is complete, clarify ownership rights to avoid future disputes. Discuss your potential developer’s policy on rights and licensing to prevent misunderstandings.

10. Post-Launch Support and Maintenance

While often left as an afterthought, after-support and maintenance are crucial. Many websites, despite looking great, harbor hidden development errors. Discuss whether your potential considering hiring offers post-launch support and maintenance. If not, evaluate if this is manageable for you or your team.