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Tip Sheet 6

A checklist for selecting a Web developer

Quite obviously selecting the right developer to undertake a website development is crucial to the success of the project. Fortunately, today there is no shortage of Web developers to choose from. The trick is picking the right one.

The ideal Web developer for a particular project would rate “YES” to all the questions posed in the checklist below. In reality it may be very difficult to find one developer that achieves the perfect score. More often than not, the choice of developer will go to the one who is most suited to the project.

Questions to which you should be able to answer yes….

• Do the core competencies of the Web developer match the type of site you have specified? (eg highly dependent on graphic design or e-commerce skills)

• Have they built websites for your type of organisation before?

• Have they built websites using the proposed solution before?

• Do they understand the project – especially its contents?

• Do the developers propose giving you as much control as you wish over the site after it has been launched?

• Is the proposed solution employed on a current live website that you have seen and explored?

• Does their solution pose an acceptable level of risk eg is it too leading edge?

• Was their written submission easy to understand?

• Are they financially sound?

• Have they been in business long enough to seem sound and experienced?

• Does their client impress you?

• Do the sites built by the proposed team members impress you?

• Is the company a member of one of the industry professional bodies eg AIMIA, IIA

• Is their solution value for money?

• Does their proposal indicate that they will add value to the project beyond merely providing that which was specified in your brief?

• Do they propose a sound, workable project management methodology?

• Do they seem to be good listeners?

• Do they appear to be honest and professional?

• Have they agreed to sign your contract without alteration to any of the terms and conditions you deem to be non-negotiable, without wishing to introduce new terms and conditions that are unacceptable to you?

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