By Vasyl Bakhmut, founder of Vasdev · Updated 2026-11-10 · 5 min read
How to Choose a Web Developer for Your Small Business in Australia
The right web developer saves you months of frustration, and the wrong one can leave you with a slow site you do not even own. Use this checklist before you sign anything.
1. Decide what you actually need
A simple brochure website, an online store and a custom business system are different jobs, and they suit different people. A designer focuses on how a site looks, while a developer builds how it works. Many small businesses need both in one person.
2. Freelancer or agency?
A freelancer usually costs less and you deal directly with the person doing the work. An agency can put several people on a large project at once. For most small business websites and Shopify stores, an experienced freelancer is a good fit.
3. Look at live websites, not just screenshots
Ask for links to real, live websites and open them on your phone. Check that they load quickly and read clearly. I have built live sites for Australian businesses, for example for a Sydney fashion photographer, a Sydney massage therapist, an online Ukrainian food shop and a Melbourne community centre, and you are welcome to review them.
4. Ask who owns the website and domain
You should own your domain name, your content and your site after it is finished. Ask directly what you receive at handover, and avoid arrangements where you can never move away from the builder.
5. Check speed, mobile design and SEO basics
Most visitors arrive on a phone. A good developer builds mobile-first, keeps pages fast, and sets up the technical SEO basics: page titles, descriptions, clean URLs and structured data, so your business can be found in Google and in AI tools such as ChatGPT and Perplexity.
6. Get a written quote that lists what is included
A good quote names the number of pages, revisions, hosting, what happens after launch and the total price. If two quotes differ a lot, compare what each includes before you compare the totals.
Red flags to avoid
Be wary of guaranteed first-page rankings, no live examples, vague pricing, pressure to decide the same day, and any arrangement where you do not receive access to your own website.
Working with a developer in another city
Most of the work is done online anyway. I am based in Melbourne and work remotely with businesses across Australia, including Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, the Gold Coast and Hobart, with clear scoping and fixed prices agreed upfront.
Frequently asked questions
Should I hire a freelancer or an agency for my small business website?
For most small business websites and Shopify stores, an experienced freelancer is a strong choice because you work directly with the person building your site and usually pay less overhead. Larger projects with many moving parts can suit an agency.
What should I ask a web developer before hiring them?
Ask to see live websites they built, what exactly the quote includes, who owns the website and domain at the end, how they handle SEO basics and mobile speed, and what support is available after launch.
Does my web developer need to be in my city?
No. Websites are built and reviewed online, and good developers communicate clearly across timezones. What matters most is the quality of their previous work and how clearly they scope the project.