How to Choose a Trustworthy Web Developer: 6 Questions to Ask Before You Pay

Stories of clients who paid and then watched the developer vanish, or received something nothing like what they asked for, are more common than you'd think. Prevention is simple: ask the right questions before paying. 1. "Do I get a final written quote?" A professional gives you a specific price and a specific delivery time, in writing. An amateur says "we'll figure it out" and "it depends" — a guaranteed recipe for a dispute. 2. "How is payment structured?" Full payment upfront is a red flag. The fair, standard arrangement: one installment to start the work and one on delivery. That way both sides carry equal responsibility. 3. "Do I fully own the website after delivery?" Ask specifically: do I own the domain? Can I move the site to another host? Some developers keep everything registered in their own names to hold you hostage as a client forever. 4. "What happens if I find a problem after delivery?" A professional commits to a support period after delivery to fix any defect within the project scope. Get that commitment in writing. 5. "Can I follow the progress of the work?" You're not buying a sealed box. You should know where the work stands, see it before final delivery, and request reasonable revisions. 6. "Show me a clear way to reach you" An official website, a clear track record, a stable communication channel. Whoever deals through an anonymous account with no official trace will disappear just as easily. Why are we saying this when we're part of the market? Because we built Phillote on these exact rules: a final quote within 24 hours, payment in two installments tied to progress, live tracking of your request from your dashboard, and post-delivery support. Ask us the six questions — we'd be happy to answer.