Who owns the source code and all assets after the project is delivered?

The source code, design files, images, and content you provide should be fully yours on delivery. Some developers retain code ownership and license it to you. This creates dependence and limits your options. Ensure the contract explicitly states that all work product transfers to you on final payment.

What technology stack are you proposing, and why is it the right choice for my project?

A developer should be able to explain their technology recommendation in plain language: why WordPress vs. Next.js, why Shopify vs. WooCommerce. If their answer is 'because it's what I know,' consider whether a more appropriate technology might serve your long-term goals better.

Can I see live examples of websites you've built with that stack?

Portfolio URLs matter. Visit them on mobile and desktop. Check load speed on PageSpeed Insights. If the sites in their portfolio do not perform well, the technical execution. Regardless of how it looks. Is below standard.

What does the scope document look like. Can you share a sample?

A professional developer works from a written scope document that specifies every page, every feature, and every integration before quoting. If they quote without a scope document, the engagement will have unresolvable disputes about what was and was not included.

How will you handle SEO. What specifically is included?

SEO basics (proper URL structure, title and meta tags, sitemap.xml, robots.txt, mobile responsiveness, Core Web Vitals) should be built into every project. Not treated as an add-on. Ask specifically which SEO elements are included in scope.

Who will own the hosting account and domain registration?

Your domain and hosting should be registered in your name and under your payment method. If the developer controls these accounts, you are dependent on them for access to your own website. Insist on direct account ownership from day one.

What is the payment schedule, and what are the milestones?

Standard: 30–40% upfront, 30–40% at design/staging approval, balance on launch. Never pay 100% upfront. Milestones should be tied to deliverables you can verify. Not time-based progress payments.

What is included in post-launch support, and what does ongoing maintenance cost?

Most developers offer a 30–90 day bug-fix warranty. Ongoing maintenance. Security updates, plugin updates, backups, uptime monitoring. Is typically a separate monthly retainer (₹3,000–₹15,000/month for WordPress sites). Clarify this before launch, not after.

How do you handle scope changes mid-project?

Any change to the agreed scope should be documented as a change order: what is being added, what it costs, and how it affects the timeline. This should be agreed in writing before the additional work begins. A developer without a change order process will either absorb the cost and resent it, or add it to the final invoice as a surprise.

What happens to the project if you are unavailable. Illness, emergency, or you close your practice?

For solo freelancers, business continuity is a genuine risk. Ask whether they have a colleague or backup who would step in, and ensure all credentials are in your hands before the project reaches a critical stage.

Web Development

10 Questions to Ask a Web Developer Before Starting a Project

The 10 questions every business owner should ask a web developer before signing anything. Covering technology choices, ownership, SEO, and what happens after launch.

Ajsal Abbas

14 October 2025

5 min read

Quick summary

The 10 questions every business owner should ask a web developer before signing anything. Covering technology choices, ownership, SEO, and what happens after launch.

What these questions reveal

Most web development problems are predictable from the first conversation. These questions expose misaligned expectations on scope, ownership, technology lock-in, and post-launch support. Before you pay a rupee.

The 10 questions

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