How to Choose a Web Developer in the UK: 2025 Complete Guide

Finding the right web developer is crucial for your business success. Here's your complete guide to making the right choice. What to Look For in a Web Developer Check their portfolio for similar projects, verify client testimonials and reviews, assess their technical expertise in your required technologies, evaluate their communication skills, and ensure they understand your business goals. Essential Questions to Ask How long have you been developing websites? What's your process from start to finish? Who will own the website code and content? What happens if I need changes after launch? Do you provide ongoing support and maintenance? Red Flags to Avoid Unrealistic promises about rankings or traffic, extremely low prices that seem too good to be true, poor communication or slow responses, no written contract or unclear terms, and inability to show relevant portfolio examples. Budget Expectations Small business website: £2,000-5,000, E-commerce site: £5,000-15,000, Custom web application: £15,000-50,000+. Remember that cheap often means cutting corners on quality. Timeline Reality Simple sites take 6-8 weeks, e-commerce needs 12-16 weeks, custom applications require 16+ weeks. Be wary of promises to deliver complex sites in 2-3 weeks. Verifying Credentials Check their online presence and reviews, ask for references from past clients, verify they're a registered business, meet them in person or via video call, and review their contract terms carefully. Support and Maintenance Clarify who owns the final website, understand what ongoing support is included, know how updates and changes are handled, establish response times for urgent issues, and discuss hosting and domain management. Making Your Final Decision Don't choose based solely on price, ensure clear and regular communication, trust your instincts about working together, verify they understand your industry, and ensure they're a good cultural fit. A good web developer becomes a long-term partner in your business growth. Take time to choose wisely and you'll save money and headaches in the long run.