When building a website, the developer you choose decides whether the result is an asset or a two-year liability. WordPress makes it easy to get something live, and just as easy to inherit a mess of plugins nobody can safely update.
What to look for
- Custom code, not plugin sprawl. Ask how many plugins a typical build ships with, and why each one is there.
- Performance evidence. Request Core Web Vitals numbers from a live site they built, not a template demo.
- Security habits. Updates, backups, staging environments, and a rollback plan should be routine, not extras.
- Clear communication. Weekly demos on a staging URL beat monthly status emails every time.
Questions worth asking
"What happens after launch?" A serious partner has an answer about maintenance, monitoring and who to call.
"Can I see the code?" Clean, commented, standards-compliant code is the difference between a site you own and a site you rent.
"What would you do differently if the budget were 20% smaller?" The answer shows whether they understand priorities or just build what is asked.
Hire for judgement. Anyone can install a theme.
