Anyone can become a web developer. It’s not like becoming a doctor where you have a person’s life in your hands, or becoming a lawyer where you have to nearly drown yourself in books just to pass the bar exam. So yes, web developers can come from anywhere. The challenge here, is becoming a good web developer. It’s pretty hard to spot the good ones usually, and more often than not, they’re mostly loaded with current projects, or are insanely expensive. However, one thing that you should know, is that the effort expended when finding a good web developer is worth it in the end.
You need to prepare yourself when trying to find one though. There are many people who’ll tell you to only hire web developers who know how to use certain tools, or to hire web developers that you know personally, or something or another. One thing that most neglect to mention, however, is that just like any other profession or role out there, there are certain things that only good web developers have. Here, we lay out just some of the criteria that you need to keep in mind when looking for a good web developer. We will also delve into the reasons why you need to hire one.
Good web developers are hard to find.
Stocksnap.io photo by Karol Dach
Things that all worthwhile web developers have
There are certain traits that excellent web developers have, and you can use these as your bases when you’re looking for one.
- Has no problem with communication
In proper professional relationships, communication is key. If there isn’t a smooth stream of communication between the client and the developer, the finished product is not going to satisfy anyone. However, due to the possibility that the client can’t meet with the developer, there are times that clients would need to use email to communicate. The problem here is that there might be some things that are misunderstood when only written down, as compared to verbal communication. But what choice do you have?
For good web developers, this is barely an issue. They will be able to explain to you clearly and concisely how the project is going, and they will use terms you will easily understand. They won’t try to impress you by using technical jargon, and they make it their priority that everything is perfectly understood between you. They make it a part of their job to make you feel at ease when discussing your project, and that you are assured all your concerns are fully heard and understood.
- Has excellent references from previous clients
Though this might seem like a no-brainer, it is definitely still worth mentioning. The easiest and most obvious way to determine whether you are dealing with a good web developer is discerning if their previous clients highly recommend them. Let’s face it, when you do good work with someone, that person is bound to have only good words about you. Your work ethic and level of skill will be apparent when those you previously worked with talk about you positively. Another thing that good web developers do is accepting full responsibility where progress is concerned; they don’t make excuses.
Now, there may be times a certain client was not satisfied with their work, because as the old adage goes, you can’t please everyone. When asked about these dissatisfied clients, they will say with honesty what happened, and they won’t say the client was simply impossible to please. Sure, they might have some things to say about the shortcomings of the client, but they will not make excuses for mistakes on their part either.
- Is able to take initiative, and is obviously intelligent
Truth be told, the smarter the web developer you are working with, the smoother the project will go. Aside from having the technical know-how, intelligent web developers will know how to handle your concerns, and they will understand what you are looking for in what you consider to be the ideal website, even if you explain it in a way that isn’t detailed or technical. A good web developer will know how to fill in the blanks, because you most likely don’t know a lot about web creation tools and the like, you might not explain it in a clear and concise way.
Some clients might even say intelligence is the most important factor when choosing a web developer. Though some might disagree, the facts speak for themselves as smart people will most likely be better at what they do compared to those who aren’t as gifted. This does not mean that you should choose a lazy genius and hope for the best though. There is a reason why there are multiple criteria that you should consider when choosing a developer.
- Are passionate about what they do
Though this might be hard to spot in some cases, this is quite possibly the most important trait that good developers have. No matter how much of a talented programmer someone is, if they don’t find meaning in what they do, you won’t be able to get what you need from them. At best, what you could hope for would be a website that barely has what you asked for. This sort of half-hearted work is a tell-tale sign of a developer who has no love for what he does.
When the developer you are talking to appears excited and engaged in what you are discussing, this is a sign he is driven. At the hands of someone who goes the extra mile for clients, the potential for your website is going to be endless. These won’t simply nod their head or keep saying yes whenever you explain something to them. They will be actively participative in the discussion, and when you see a developer with this kind of outlook, you know they’re worth taking a chance on.
Do you really need a web developer?
So now you know what to look for in a good web developer. But do you really need one in the first place? There are multiple build-your-own website software solutions in the market that are not only cheaper than a dedicated web developer, but are easier to work with as well. And you know that the output is nothing to scoff at either. However, there are things you need to consider when you ask yourself if investing in a web developer is a good idea.
- Web developers know how the process works
They’re professionals for a reason; they know how websites are supposed to work. They know how they’re supposed to look like, they know what kind of features users are most likely to look for, and they know how to properly bring your ideas into fruition. Yes, you might think you have the vision for your website firmly in mind but do you really know how to make it a reality? Are you sure that the software you are about to purchase has the ability to get the full potential of your website? Good web developers are people you can trust to handle the creation or redesign of your website from top to bottom, and more often than not, they are worth the investment.
- They provide all the technical support you will ever need for your website
It’s easy to see how web developers are going to be able to fix any concerns that might pop up because of your website. They were the ones that made it, so they should definitely know how to make it better. Any bugs or errors that you might encounter in the future, web developers are able to fix this. If you were to try and create your own website, and then you find an error and have no idea how to fix it; that’s just going to be a whole lot of time and money wasted. For reliable and quick support, a dedicated web developer is definitely the way to go.
- They save you a lot of time
When you try to make use of a software to create your own website, you are bound to take some time to learn how to fully make use of all its features. No matter how easy-to-learn or user-friendly that tool may be, there will always be a learning curve. Yes, you might be able to make your first website within five minutes by using a certain software; but is this the website that you want? Is this really the website your company needs? When you go with a web developer, all of these concerns are going to be taken care of. All you have to do is explain to them how you want your website to be, and they will do what they can to give it to you. Web developers understand what you are looking for in a website, and they have the expertise needed to give it to you, and in a short amount of time too.
