Why choosing the right developer matters

Choosing the wrong web developer can cost you time, money, and customers. The right one builds a fast, secure, and SEO-friendly site that converts visitors into customers. This guide focuses on Pune businesses — what matters locally and how to evaluate candidates quickly.

7 practical criteria to evaluate web developers

1. Portfolio & real examples

Look for recent projects similar to yours. A developer who shows live websites (not just screenshots) and explains the outcomes — traffic growth, improved conversions, or faster load times — is stronger evidence than a generic portfolio.

2. Local experience & market understanding

A developer who’s worked with Pune businesses understands local search intent, common customer behavior, and local directories (Google My Business, Justdial, etc.). That knowledge helps shape content, local SEO, and conversion paths.

3. Communication & reliability

Clear timelines, consistent updates, and responsiveness matter. Ask for a sample timeline and how often you’ll get updates. Freelancers who use simple project trackers (Trello, GitHub issues, or Google Docs) often communicate better than those who rely solely on chat.

4. Technical skills & stack fit

Match skills to your needs. For brochure sites, WordPress might be ideal. For apps or highly interactive UIs, React or a similar framework is better. Check that the developer’s stack aligns with your long-term plans (e.g., headless CMS, API integration).

5. Speed, performance & Core Web Vitals

Performance is a ranking and conversion factor. Ask about Lighthouse/PageSpeed Insights scores they typically deliver, image handling, lazy loading, and CDN usage. Fast sites keep users and rank better on Google.

6. SEO awareness and on-page practices

Good developers build with SEO in mind: semantic HTML, proper heading structure, meta tags, image alt text, and clean URLs. If they can set up a blog and Google Business Profile, that’s a bonus for local ranking.

7. Pricing, scope & clear deliverables

Price is important, but scope clarity prevents disputes. Get a written scope: pages included, mobile responsiveness, on-page SEO basics, deployment, and what counts as “extra work.” Prefer fixed-price packages for clear outcomes or hourly for open-ended work.

Quick checklist — what to ask during the first conversation

  • Can you show live examples and explain the results?
  • How long will this project take and what does the timeline include?
  • Will the site be mobile-friendly and fast on mobile networks?
  • Do you handle SEO basics and Google Business Profile setup?
  • What’s included in post-launch support and revisions?
  • How will you deliver the final site (CMS, static, deployment)?

Red flags to watch for

  • No live portfolio or only template links.
  • Vague timelines and “I’ll figure it out” answers.
  • Zero discussion about performance, SEO, or security.
  • Requests for full payment upfront without milestones.

How I help Pune businesses

I build websites focused on speed, SEO, and conversion — whether you need a simple 5-page site, an eCommerce store, or booking systems that work with WhatsApp and payment gateways. If you’d like, I can:

  • Audit your current site and send a short action plan.
  • Build a fast, SEO-friendly site with clear reporting.
  • Set up Google Business Profile and local SEO basics for Pune.

Get a free site audit

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a small business website typically take?
Most 5–page business sites take 7–14 days, depending on content and feedback speed.
Will you help with content and images?
I provide basic copy guidance and free stock image suggestions — full copywriting is available as an add-on.
Do you offer maintenance after launch?
Yes. I offer maintenance packages for updates, backups, and small improvements.
Can you improve my site's search ranking quickly?
Improvements like technical SEO and speed often show within weeks; organic ranking for competitive keywords typically takes 2–3 months with ongoing content and local listings.

Simple Downloadable Checklist

Copy this checklist for your next developer call:

  1. Request portfolio links and live sites
  2. Confirm timeline and milestones
  3. Ask about mobile and PageSpeed targets
  4. Ensure basic on-page SEO is included
  5. Agree on revisions and post-launch support

Ready to choose a developer?

If you want a Pune-based developer who focuses on performance and results, let’s talk. I’ll review your site and share a short, no-charge audit outlining quick wins and a realistic timeline.