Best Website Developers

Updated 2026-09-25

We may earn a commission if you hire through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. How we choose picks.

A website is often the first thing a customer checks before buying from you, and it is expensive to rebuild if it is done badly. Most website projects go wrong for the same reasons: an unclear scope, no agreement on who owns the hosting and logins, and no plan for what happens after launch. This guide helps you avoid all three.

We are finalizing our shortlist for this service. Until then, the guide below walks you through how to evaluate sellers yourself.

Browse all Website Development gigs on Fiverr →

What a good website package includes

Website gigs range from a single landing page to a full site with a store and custom features. Two packages with the same title can deliver very different things, so check that yours states:

Number of pages, and which pages they are (home, about, services, contact, blog).
Platform: WordPress, Shopify, another builder, or custom code.
Responsive design: the site must work on phones, not just on a desktop screen.
Features: contact forms, booking, payments, a blog, multiple languages.
Revisions: how many rounds of changes are included.
Basic speed and search setup: page titles, image compression, a sitemap.
Handover: admin access, a short guide or video on how to edit pages, and source files for custom code.
Delivery time and how long the developer will fix bugs after launch.

How to brief a website developer

A clear brief is the best protection against delays and surprise extra charges. Send:

What the site is for. For example: get calls for a local service, sell products, or show a portfolio.
A page list with one line on what each page contains.
Must-have features, separated from nice-to-have ones.
Two or three sites you like, with a note on what you like about each.
Your content: logo files, final text, and images you have the right to use.
Accounts: your domain and hosting, or ask the developer to recommend where to set them up in your name.
Your deadline, and any date the site absolutely must be live.

If you do not have a logo yet, sort that out first. Our logo design guide explains which files to ask for.

What drives the price

number of pages and how many unique page layouts they need
custom design versus a ready-made theme or template
features such as payments, bookings, memberships or integrations with other tools
whether the developer writes or edits the content for you
speed optimization, search setup and extra languages
support and maintenance after launch
the developer's experience and how quickly you need it

Red flags

The developer wants to register the domain or hosting in their own name.
A full custom website promised in a day or two for a very low price. This usually means a template with your logo added.
The portfolio has only screenshots and no live links you can open on your phone.
The gig does not say what platform will be used or how many pages are included.
The developer asks you to pay or talk outside the marketplace. That removes your buyer protection.

Once the site is live, search visibility is a separate job. Our SEO guide covers what to expect from that work.

Quick pre-order checklist

I have a page list and a short list of must-have features.
The package states the platform, page count, revisions and delivery time.
The domain and hosting are, or will be, in my name.
I have opened at least three live sites from the developer's portfolio on my phone.
I know what support is included after launch and what costs extra.

FAQ

Should I choose WordPress, Shopify or a custom-coded site?

It depends on what the site must do. WordPress suits content sites, blogs and service businesses. Shopify suits online stores. Custom code makes sense when you need features no platform offers. Ask the developer to explain their recommendation in plain words before you order.

Who should own the domain, hosting and logins?

You should. Register the domain and hosting in your own name and give the developer access, rather than letting them hold the accounts. At handover, make sure you have admin access to every account the site depends on.

How many revisions are normal?

Most packages include a fixed number of revision rounds. Revisions cover changes within the agreed scope. New pages or features are usually a new order, so list everything you need in the brief.

What should I send before the work starts?

Your logo files, final text for each page, images you have the right to use, examples of sites you like, and access to the domain and hosting. Missing content is the most common reason website projects run late.

Is ongoing maintenance included?

Usually not. Updates, backups and security fixes after launch are often a separate service. Ask what the developer offers after delivery and how long they will fix bugs in their own work.