These days there are a lot of website development tools and so called one-click installations, but don’t fall for them. If you are unfamiliar with web development techniques do not attempt to make a website yourself.
Being a web developer, of course I’d say don’t make them yourselves. But there is solid reasoning not greedy motives behind my statements. There is a reason that website developers exist. You can create a simple website on your own but if you want a professional website, you should hire a professional.
PHOTO: Webdevtuts
When it comes to hiring a professional, there are many things to lookout for.
But you already know the general precautions of hiring someone. These are part of our basic instinct. However, this article will dig deeper. I am not going to state obvious and commonly known practices of clients when they hire website developers.
Let’s begin,
6. Make sure there is no communication gap
If you are considering hiring an individual the first and foremost thing to look for is: will you two be able to communicate flawlessly?
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Communication is a lesser known but most important aspect of a client-developer relationship. Make sure your candidate can speak your language (or you can speak his). Make sure he is available at your hours, he responds timely.
In website development process, various minute changes are expected. If there is a communication gap, the project will falter.
5. Don’t ask for degrees ask for skills
In IT degree means nothing. You already have examples of Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg etc. In computing, what matters is skill. It is both delightful and sad at the same time that almost all technology innovators were college dropouts.
Web development is a skill based job, you grow by working and learn by experience. Therefore don’t use degree or formal education as a criteria, instead always go for skill.
4. Portfolios never lie
When hiring a web developer, always ask for his portfolio. If he has one, analyze it carefully. Portfolio is the greatest weapon in a web developer’s armor. Portfolio shows how skilled a person really is. Anybody can talk, but the ability to build something substantial is what you should look for.
PHOTO: Enila.fr
Treat the candidate’s portfolio as his CV, his national identity card, his driver’s license and what not. Portfolio will tell you all you need to know about a particular individual’s skill.
3. Skill more than experience
Talking of skills, skill doesn’t necessarily means experience. Remember you and I too were fresh graduates once. If a developer doesn’t have experience under his belt, it doesn’t mean he is a bad developer. It could mean he hasn’t had the opportunity to display his skills.
How to test skill then, you must be wondering. It is simple: a good developer/designer always has a portfolio, even if he hasn’t worked on a project, he must’ve created sample websites to show-for. You can view his portfolio, talk to him about his skills and judge if he is keen to learn and grow.
Don’t reject someone’s application over experience, he might be a great developer waiting for his first opportunity.
2. Beware of “too confident” folks
I outsource a lot of work to other developers. When interviewing them, I closely pay attention to how they portray their skills. If a developer says he can do anything you ask for without blinking, beware, he is most likely bragging.
A true developer always knows his potential and his weaknesses. Before committing to cure cancer or bring down stars for you, a developer always takes time to analyze the client’s requirements and his own potential. A good developer never rushes to commit to extensive modifications.
Developers normally like to view the requirements in detail before they give quotation and timeline. Give them this, don’t rush and make sure the developer is not rushing either.
1. Prefer individuals over companies
I have a web design company. But if you have a small (ordinary) project I’d advise you to find an individual to do it rather than an agency or company. Freelance developers are quick and resourceful, an agency has their own troubles to look after.
PHOTO: back40design.com
However if you need to develop a big project that requires design, graphics, social media marketing and a multifunctional website, then it might be too overwhelming for an individual.
