🔑 How to Trust the Right Developer for Your Website

✅ 1. Check Proven Work (Not Just Words)

• Ask for live websites they have developed (not just screenshots).

• Test those sites yourself for speed, design, mobile responsiveness, SEO.

• Contact a couple of their past clients to confirm they really did the work.

✅ 2. Transparency in Communication

• A trustworthy developer will explain technical things in simple language.

• They will tell you what is custom-built vs. template-based.

• If they avoid clear answers or use too much jargon, 🚩 red flag.

✅ 3. Ownership Promise

• Domain, hosting, and website should be in your name.

• You must get full admin access + source code after completion.

• If a developer hesitates, you cannot trust them.

✅ 4. Written Agreement

• Always ask for a contract or written proposal.

• The contract should clearly mention:

  • Scope of work

  • Timeline & deliverables

  • Ownership rights

  • Payment milestones

  • Maintenance/support terms

👉 If they refuse to sign or provide one, don’t trust them.

✅ 5. Payment Terms

• A genuine developer never asks for 100% upfront.

• Standard practice: Pay in milestones (e.g., 30% upfront, rest as work progresses).

• If they insist on full advance, 🚩 warning sign.

✅ 6. Professional Presence

• Do they have a proper website, LinkedIn, or company profile?

• Are they active on Google Business / Clutch / Upwork with real reviews?

• A real business leaves digital footprints, not just a Gmail ID and phone number.

✅ 7. Project Transparency

• Ask if they will share progress updates on a demo server while developing.

• A good developer will let you see work-in-progress so you’re never in the dark.

• If they say “I’ll show you only after it’s complete,” 🚩 be cautious.

✅ 8. Client References

• Always ask: “Can I speak to two of your past clients?”

• A trustworthy developer will gladly share references.

• A dishonest one will make excuses.

✅ 9. After-Sales Support

• Trustworthy developers don’t disappear after payment.

• They provide 30–90 days free support for bug fixing.

• They offer clear maintenance packages (updates, backups, security).

✅ 10. Gut Feeling

• If something feels off (too cheap, too pushy, too vague), trust your instincts.

• A reliable developer talks about your business goals, not just “features.”

👉 Quick Trust Test Questions to Ask a Developer:

1. Who will own the website, domain, and source code?

2. Can I get admin access and backups after launch?

3. Can I see two real websites you built and talk to the owners?

4. Will you give me progress updates during development?

5. What happens if I want to switch developers later?

If they answer these honestly and confidently → you can trust them.
If they avoid or hesitate → 🚩 don’t hand them your project.