Start With Your Actual Requirements
Before you contact a single developer, get clear on what you actually need. Most businesses significantly over-scope their first website — and pay for features they never use.
A basic question set to answer before you start:
- What is the primary goal of the website? (Generate leads, sell products, build credibility, provide information?)
- How many pages do you genuinely need at launch?
- Who will manage content after launch — and how technical are they?
- Do you have existing branding (logo, colours, fonts) or does that need to be created?
- What's your budget range, and what's the hard limit?
- When does it need to be live?
The Portfolio Is Everything
Any developer can claim they build "premium, SEO-optimized, high-converting websites." Only their portfolio can prove it.
When evaluating a developer's portfolio, don't just look at how the sites look. Check:
Do the sites actually load fast?
Open their portfolio examples on your mobile phone. Count the seconds until you see content. Anything over 3 seconds on 4G is a problem.
Are the sites still live?
If a developer's portfolio examples are dead links or redirect to 'coming soon' pages, ask why.
Does the work match your industry?
A developer who's built 10 restaurant sites understands your challenges. Someone who's only built SaaS dashboards may struggle with service business conversions.
Can you see the Google rankings?
If the developer claims their sites are 'SEO optimized,' Google the business names in their portfolio. Are those sites ranking for local terms?
Questions to Ask Before You Pay a Deposit
Q:Who actually builds the site?
Many agencies outsource work overseas or to subcontractors you'll never speak to. Ask directly: 'Who writes the code for my project? Is it you personally, a team member, or a subcontractor?'
Q:What happens to the code when we're done?
You should own the source code outright. Some developers host on proprietary platforms or retain the code to prevent you from leaving. This is a red flag.
Q:What do you need from me to start?
A well-organized developer will have a clear content brief. If the answer is vague, expect delays.
Q:How many revision rounds are included?
Unlimited revisions sounds good. It's not — it usually means poorly scoped work that never ends. Defined revision rounds (2–3 is standard) are better.
Q:How is payment structured?
Industry standard: 50% deposit, 50% on delivery. Be cautious of developers who want 100% upfront or drag payment to after months of work.
Q:What does 'maintenance' cost after launch?
Understand exactly what's included in any ongoing fees — and what happens to your site if you stop paying.
Red Flags to Walk Away From
Freelancer vs Agency vs Boutique Studio
| Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Freelancer | Low cost, direct communication, flexible | Single point of failure, may take on too much work, limited specialization |
| Large agency | Full team, project management, diverse skills | High cost, you're not the priority, communication via account managers |
| Boutique studio | Specialized skills, personal service, accountable | Limited capacity, may not suit large complex projects |
For most South African SMEs, a boutique studio or experienced freelancer hits the best balance of quality, communication, and price.
We're Happy to Be Evaluated
Ask us all the hard questions. Check our portfolio. Call our clients. If we're the right fit, you'll know. If we're not, we'll tell you.