Website Development
Common Mistakes When Working with Web Developers and How to Avoid Them
We deliver website projects for small businesses and see the same avoidable problems again and again. This guide is for owners about to start a project with a developer, or partway through one. It groups the common mistakes by project stage: before, during and after the build. Use it as a pre-flight check, so your project stays on time and on budget.
Mistakes before the project starts
Most delays begin before a developer writes a single line of code. A vague brief leaves too much to guesswork, and guesses lead to rework. Missing content and unclear decision-makers slow every stage that follows. Avoid these five mistakes at the start.
- Starting without a written brief that lists goals, pages, features and budget.
- Choosing on price alone without comparing what each quote includes.
- Skipping references and relying on portfolio screenshots.
- Leaving code, domain and content ownership out of the contract.
- Failing to name one person who approves designs and answers questions.
Each of these is quick to fix with a short planning session. Write the brief, check two references and agree ownership in writing. Our guide on how to hire a web developer sets out the full selection process.
Mistakes during the build
The build stage depends on fast, clear decisions from your side. Developers pause when they wait for feedback, logins or content. Late changes to agreed designs add cost and push back the launch date. These are the mistakes we see most during a build.
- Sending page copy, images and logos after the agreed deadline.
- Giving feedback in scattered emails instead of one consolidated list.
- Adding new features mid-build without agreeing extra time or cost.
- Asking several colleagues for opinions on every design detail.
- Leaving technical access, such as domain or hosting logins, until the last week.
Agree a feedback routine at the start, such as one review round per stage. Collect comments from colleagues, then send one combined list. Treat any new feature as a change request with its own price and timing.
Mistakes at launch and afterwards
Launch day is not the end of a website project. A site needs testing, tracking and maintenance to keep performing. Many owners skip these steps and only notice problems when enquiries drop. Watch for these mistakes around launch.
- Launching without testing forms, bookings and payments on a real phone.
- Forgetting redirects from old page addresses, which loses existing search rankings.
- Skipping analytics and enquiry tracking from the first day.
- Leaving no support plan for updates, backups and security patches.
- Never reviewing results in the months after launch.
Ask your developer for a written launch checklist and a support agreement. Our guide to troubleshooting web development projects explains how to handle problems after launch. Our website maintenance cost guide shows what ongoing support usually includes.
Project readiness checklist
Complete this checklist before your developer starts work. Each item removes a common cause of delay or extra cost. Keep it updated as the project moves through each stage.
- Written brief agreed and shared with the developer
- One named decision-maker for approvals
- Copy, images and logo ready before the build starts
- Domain, hosting and tool logins collected
- Feedback routine and change request process agreed
- Redirects planned for any existing pages
- Analytics and support plan in place for launch
Good to know
Working with developers FAQs
What is the most common mistake when hiring a web developer?+
The most common mistake is starting without a clear, written brief. Without one, quotes cannot be compared and the scope drifts during the build. A one-page brief fixes most of this problem. List your goals, pages, features, budget and deadline.
How can I improve communication with my web developer?+
Agree one main contact on each side and one channel for decisions. Send feedback as a single, numbered list after each review stage. Ask for a short progress update at a set time each week. Confirm every change to scope or cost in writing.
What should I ask my web developer before starting?+
Ask for the timeline, payment stages and what each stage delivers. Confirm who owns the code, domain and content at the end. Ask what support, hosting and updates cost after launch. Check how they handle redirects if you already have a site.
Why do web projects run late?+
Most web projects run late because content, feedback or access arrives late. Mid-build changes to features add further delays. Developers also underestimate tasks when the brief is unclear. A clear brief and a fixed feedback routine prevent most of these delays.
Keep this checklist with your project brief from the first call to launch. Share it with everyone who will give feedback on the site. So you can avoid the delays that cost most projects time and money.
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