The 5 Questions Every Business Owner Should Ask Before Hiring a Web Developer

Hiring a web developer can be one of the most important decisions for your business - but also one of the trickiest.

As someone who has run a web development agency for years and now focuses on helping stuck AI, no-code and "vibe" projects get launched at Appstuck.com, I’ve seen first-hand how misaligned expectations can derail even the most promising ideas.

Before you sign a contract or agree to a timeline, here are five essential questions every business owner should ask:

1. What are you actually building?

Scope creep - and the confusion that causes it - is one of the biggest project hazards. Articulate, in plain language, what features you expect to have in your MVP or first release. Is it a marketing site? A user login system? An AI-powered chatbot? The clearer the scope, the smoother the outcome.

2. What is the timeline - and what might delay it?

Plans change, but you need a roadmap. Ask your developer what the critical milestones are and where blockers typically show up. A solid dev partner won’t just estimate delivery - they’ll help you prepare for the unexpected.

3. What’s included in the quote?

It’s common to assume a fixed price includes everything, only to discover late-stage costs for things like hosting setup, analytics integration, or a responsive mobile version. Make sure your quote is transparent about scope - and scalable if your needs evolve.

4. Who maintains the project post-launch?

Once your app or site is live, who will keep it updated? If bugs crop up or user feedback demands changes, will your dev partner be available and on what terms? Many no-code and AI-augmented apps are iterative by nature - you’ll want continuity.

5. How will you measure success?

Just launching something is no longer the end goal. Define KPIs - conversion, leads, downloads, engagement - and ask how the build will support tracking them. Even simple tools like Hotjar or GA4, when implemented early, can give you a feedback loop quickly.

Hiring the right developer is like hiring a co-pilot for your digital journey. It's not just about code; it's about understanding your vision, translating it into a scalable product, and helping you cross the finish line.

At Appstuck, we work with AI, no-code and hybrid workflows to rescue and complete projects that have lost momentum. If you're working on something and it’s floundering - or you're just not sure how to get to launch - feel free to reach out.