Mohamed BardouniProduct Engineer

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Hiring Guide

How to Choose a Web Developer for Your Project

Whether you need a landing page, a SaaS platform, or a mobile app — the developer you choose determines the outcome. Here's how to get it right.

· 8 min read

Start with what you actually need

Before you search for a developer, be clear about what you're building:

  • Landing page or marketing site — a focused page that converts visitors. Needs design sense and performance optimization.
  • Web application or SaaS platform — a full product with backend, database, user management, and integrations. Needs full-stack capability.
  • Mobile app — native or cross-platform (Flutter). Needs mobile-specific experience and store publishing knowledge.
  • AI integration or automation — chatbots, data pipelines, workflow automation. Needs both AI/ML understanding and practical deployment skills.

A developer who builds all of these — rather than specializing in just one layer — saves you from coordinating multiple contractors.

What to look for

1. Verifiable track record

Look for public profiles with real reviews — Mostaql, Freelancer, LinkedIn recommendations. A 5.0 rating across dozens of projects means consistency, not luck.

2. Full-stack capability

The best outcome comes from one person who handles: database design → backend API → frontend interface → deployment. This eliminates the "frontend blames backend" problem that plagues split teams.

3. Communication style

Can they explain technical decisions in plain language? Do they ask about your users before choosing technology? A developer who starts coding before understanding the problem is a red flag.

4. Process transparency

Look for developers who define scope, milestones, and deliverables in writing before starting. "I'll figure it out as I go" means you'll pay for their learning curve.

Red flags to avoid

  • No public portfolio or reviews you can verify independently
  • Quotes a final price before understanding your requirements
  • Can't show you working products they've built — only screenshots or mockups
  • Promises specific revenue or growth outcomes (no honest developer does this)
  • Uses only one technology for everything (the "hammer looking for nails" problem)

Questions to ask before hiring

  1. "Can you show me a live product you built — not just code, but something I can use right now?"
  2. "How do you handle scope changes during the project?"
  3. "What happens after delivery — do you provide documentation and support?"
  4. "Can I talk to a past client?"
  5. "How do you approach testing and quality assurance?"