Start with scope, not technology
Most web development disputes happen because scope, revisions, content, hosting, SEO, payment milestones and maintenance were not clear. A good developer helps clarify these before work starts.
Situations this page is built for
- You are hiring your first developer.
- You have multiple quotes with different pricing.
- You do not know whether to choose WordPress, Shopify or custom.
- You want to avoid delays and unclear handover.
- You need SEO and speed considered from day one.
Documents and details usually required
- Business goals and target audience.
- Page list and feature list.
- Reference websites and design preferences.
- Content, logo, photos and brand guidelines.
- Domain/hosting details if available.
- Budget range and launch deadline.
Practical process before hiring
Write a brief
Mention business, pages, forms, integrations, content readiness and desired launch date.
Review portfolio
Check live websites, mobile layout, speed, clarity and relevance to your business.
Compare scope, not just price
Confirm what each quote includes and excludes.
Use milestones
Split payment by design approval, development, testing, launch and handover.
What to expect in India
| Work type | Typical price range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Freelancer landing page | Rs. 5,000 - Rs. 25,000 | 3-10 days |
| Business website developer | Rs. 20,000 - Rs. 1,00,000 | 1-4 weeks |
| Custom web app developer/team | Rs. 1,00,000+ | 4+ weeks |
Prices vary by documents, urgency, city, professional experience and whether previous periods need cleanup.
Common red flags and mistakes
- Hiring only from the lowest quote.
- Not checking live portfolio links.
- No agreement on revisions.
- No SEO, analytics or sitemap setup.
- No maintenance plan after launch.
What to mention when you post
- Your business type, target customers and the main goal of the website.
- Approximate page count, must-have sections and example websites you like.
- Whether you need WordPress, Shopify, custom development or help choosing the stack.
- Required features such as forms, payments, WhatsApp, booking, catalogue, login or admin panel.
- Launch deadline, budget range and whether content/images are ready.
How to choose the right professional
- Ask for live portfolio links, not only screenshots.
- Confirm source-code/admin access ownership after final payment.
- Check whether mobile responsiveness, SEO metadata, analytics and sitemap are included.
- Use milestone-based payments tied to design, development, testing and launch.
- Clarify post-launch bug fixes, content edits and maintenance charges.
Questions people ask before hiring
Should I hire freelancer or agency?
Freelancers can be cost-effective for clear small scopes. Agencies may suit larger design, content, integrations and support needs.
How much advance is normal?
Milestone-based payment is safer than paying most of the amount upfront.
What should be included in handover?
Domain/hosting access, source files, admin credentials, documentation and backup details.
Can WorkIndex help compare developers?
Yes. Post your brief and compare developers with scope-specific quotes.