How To Choose A Developer When You Have Been Burned Before

A step by step guide to finding your forever developer

Wordpress Development 30th July 2026

Choosing a developer can be daunting, particularly if you have been burned before. I believe in building confidence and trust with all my clients. So here are some key areas to look at when choosing a developer.

The first aspect to check, particularly if you have a pre-existing website, is whether they offer rescue work. This work includes fixing unstable code and bug fixes. Rescue work is key to rebuilding websites that have broken functionality, especially if you are looking to increase website speed and grow your website’s traffic. Many of my clients come to me to ensure their websites are up-to-date and secure and can move from static to scalable. I never judge previous website work, my role is to move forward with you to create a website you want and need.

The second go to for choosing a website developer is consistency and clarity. Building a good website means taking your vision and creating something that matches it. A red flag when choosing a developer is constant back and forth on design parameters. Beware of developers that do not create a clear concise brief, with clear deadlines, this can lead to the scope of the project becoming muddled. Consistency of scope and clarity of what is being delivered and when is key to picking a good developer.

Another core aspect of picking a good website developer in on-going support. Website needs and requirements change and develop as your business grows and develops. It is vital to have on-going support to keep your website up-to-date, remove any obsolete code and ensure smooth running of the website. Look for a developer with clear communication skills who will be able to offer support after the initial build or rescue work. Businesses are not static and take maintenance and support to keep running smoothly and your website is no different.

The last point I would suggest for making sure you pick a good website developer is clear pricing. A bad developer will give add on cost or sneak costs, a good developer will be up front about the cost of website development and rescue work. Clear and fully costed quotes are a reassuring sign. Make sure to ask if the quote is inclusive of all the work described in the brief.

The last point I would suggest for making sure you pick a good website developer is clear pricing. A bad developer will give add on cost or sneak costs, a good developer will be up front about the cost of website development and rescue work. Clear and fully costed quotes are a reassuring sign. Make sure to ask if the quote is inclusive of all the work described in the brief.

My custom designs are full stack, meaning I am highly skilled working in both the front and back end of your website. When creating a custom designed WordPress website, I focus on your business’ needs and requirements. Creating engaging websites that help your business grow, support existing clients and find new clients is at the heart of my work.

We will work together to create a blueprint of how you want your WordPress custom build website to look and any specific requirements. Then I take this blueprint and translate it into a tangible product. So say for example you wanted to create an online commercial presence. I would ensure your online store was GDPR compliant, scalable and SEO friendly. I would work with you to find WordPress plugins that match your enterprise’s needs, such as booking systems or automatic postage pricing. I will also tailor your website to ensure you can swiftly engage with your clients – from contact forms to easy to create newsletters.

In order to create visually appealing websites I use WordPress, as with the majority share in the market (for more information on WordPress see my blog here) and easy to use features, it is an excellent way to bring your vision to life. As a freelance WordPress developer I find the wide range of WordPress themes and WordPress Plugins are vital when ensuring your vision comes to life. As a freelance developer I know cost can be a big issue when starting out on your online journey and with WordPress many of the themes and plugins are free to use, meaning that your custom build is cost effective.

The main part of working with you to build your website is making sure that my website build is accessible and easy to use. I work closely with you each step of the way, from building your WordPress website from scratch to regular updates and website management. Your vision is core to the way I work. From first consultation to long term clients I am guided by your business’ requirements and long term business plans. My website builds are future proofed, meaning that they are designed with growth and business progression in mind from the start. Building a website is more than just writing some code, it is about creating something that represents your brand and is often the first interaction your customers have with your business. I can bring your vision to life.

So if you are looking to build or revamp your website, get in touch at my contact page.