Guide
How to choose a web developer: 7 questions to ask before you sign
A good web developer is not the cheapest or the flashiest, but the one after whom the site is yours and customers can find it. Ask these 7 questions to everyone you request a quote from.
The 7 questions
Who owns the domain and hosting?
The domain and hosting contracts should be in your name. If they are in the developer's name and you part ways, they keep both your site and your address.
What is the real, total price?
Ask for a fixed price with VAT clearly stated: what is included and what costs extra (copywriting, images, edits, renewals). A promotional starting price is often just a starting point.
Will people find you on Google?
Ask what the developer does for search: titles and descriptions, fast loading, mobile-friendly structure, Google Business Profile. A beautiful site nobody finds brings no customers.
Does it work well on mobile?
Most visitors arrive from a phone. Ask for a live example and open it on your own phone, not just on a computer.
Can you see live references?
Ask for links to real, working client sites. If you only get screenshots, ask why there is no live site.
Who looks after the site after launch?
Put in writing who handles bug fixes, small edits and security updates, and at what price. A site is not finished on handover day.
Do you keep the content and the code?
Ask whether you can take everything with you if you switch developers. A fair contract allows this and has no lock-in trap.
Warning signs
- No written fixed price, only "we'll sort out the total later".
- No live, working reference sites you can open.
- Domain or hosting is in their name and you get no access.
- A template sold at a custom price, with no explanation of what is behind it.
- Pressure such as "this price is only valid today".
How I work
- Fixed written quote: you know the price upfront. Prices exclude VAT.
- The domain, hosting and site are yours, with access to everything.
- In-person meetings in Pécs and the surrounding area, phone or online elsewhere.
- Live references you can open; I show performance and mobile behaviour too.
- A monthly plan is available if you prefer not to pay in one go.
On to the prices
Frequently asked questions
How much does a business website cost in Hungary?
A simple presentation site starts at a few tens of thousands of forints; a custom, search-optimised business site typically starts in the hundred-thousand range. My Starter Website is from HUF 129,990 excluding VAT; the exact price depends on the package and your needs.
Is a big agency or a freelance developer better?
For a small business a freelancer is often more flexible and cheaper because you talk to the person doing the work. Put the handover and maintenance in writing so the relationship does not depend on one person.
How long does a website take?
A simple site takes a few weeks; a larger, multi-page project takes longer. The biggest factor is how soon I receive your texts and images.
What should I bring to the first meeting?
Just know what your business does, who it is for and which sites you like. We will go through the rest together.
Let's talk about your site
Tell me what you need and you get a fixed, written quote.
