Web Developer Hire Checklist

Hiring the right developer can make or break your launch. Use this checklist to evaluate candidates on the skills and behaviours that actually drive results.

1. Align on goals and constraints

Before interviewing anyone, document:

• Business objectives: Increase leads, drive ecommerce revenue, or improve retention.
• Timeline and milestones: Set realistic release windows and review cadence.
• Technical constraints: Existing CMS, integrations, compliance requirements.
• Budget range: Decide how flexible you can be for the right talent.

Share this brief with every candidate so they can respond with relevant examples.

2. Portfolio and proof

Ask for live URLs, GitHub repos, and case studies. Evaluate:

• Similarity to your project scope and complexity.
• Evidence of role ownership—what parts did they personally build?
• Screenshots or dashboards demonstrating business impact.
• References or testimonials that corroborate their stories.

Look for projects aligned with your stack. If you rely on Next.js and need SEO improvements, the portfolio should reflect that.

3. Technical depth

Use structured interviews to confirm their expertise:

• Stack mastery: React 19, Next.js App Router, server actions, edge middleware.
• TypeScript: Strong typing, shared schemas, linting, and testing discipline.
• Performance: Ability to diagnose and improve LCP, INP, CLS with tooling.
• Accessibility: Understanding of WCAG guidelines, semantic HTML, and testing workflows.

Ask for a walkthrough of a recent feature where they balanced performance, SEO, and UX.

4. SEO awareness

Great developers partner with marketing:

• Can they explain structured data, sitemap automation, and meta-tag frameworks?
• Do they understand internal linking strategies and canonicalization?
• Have they collaborated on content hubs like Best Web Developer or SEO Packages Toronto?
• Can they build CMS workflows that keep metadata consistent?

5. Process and collaboration

Look for habits that keep projects on track:

• Weekly updates with demos or Loom walkthroughs.
• Written documentation—README files, Notion pages, or architecture decision records.
• QA plans, automated tests, and CI pipelines.
• Ability to collaborate with designers, SEO strategists, and stakeholders.

6. Discovery and scoping

Insist on a short paid discovery or technical audit before any long-term contract. During discovery, expect:

• Detailed backlog with prioritized tasks.
• Risk register outlining dependencies or unknowns.
• Budget and timeline validation.

A developer who skips discovery is guessing.

7. Pricing and engagement model

Clarify structure upfront:

• Project-based: Fixed scope with milestones—best for defined marketing sites.
• Retainer: Ongoing iterations, CRO experiments, SEO updates.
• Fractional lead: Strategic oversight while internal teams execute.

Compare proposals apples to apples using this matrix.

| Criteria | Candidate A | Candidate B | Candidate C | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Relevant portfolio | | | | | Performance chops | | | | | SEO collaboration | | | | | Communication & documentation | | | | | Cultural fit | | | |

8. Decision and onboarding

Once you select a developer:

• Share a kickoff doc summarizing goals, metrics, and key contacts.
• Provide access to repositories, analytics, and design systems.
• Schedule regular check-ins and retros.
• Track progress in a shared project management tool.

When to call ValeoFx

If you need a partner who can architect, build, and keep SEO humming, our team is ready. We combine senior JavaScript developers, technical SEO specialists, and content strategists so your roadmap ships without surprises. Explore our Web Developer or JavaScript Developer services to see engagement models.