HOW TO CHOOSE A WEB DEVELOPER IN REGIONAL VICTORIA

Finding a web developer in regional Victoria isn't hard. Google it and you'll get a mix of Melbourne agencies, local freelancers, and everything in between. The hard part is figuring out who's actually going to deliver what you need without taking you for a ride.

I've been on both sides of this. I've seen businesses get burned by developers who overpromised and underdelivered. I've also seen people waste money on fancy agency websites when they just needed something simple that worked.

So here's the honest rundown on what to look for — and what to run from.

Melbourne agencies can build great websites. No question. But they come with baggage that doesn't always make sense for regional businesses.

First, there's the price. Big agencies have big overheads — fancy offices, account managers, project managers, sales teams. You're paying for all of that whether you use it or not. A $15,000 quote from a city agency often gets you the same result as a $5,000 job from someone local.

Second, there's the understanding. Someone who's never left the inner suburbs might not get why your cafe in Lakes Entrance needs to rank for "coffee near the beach" or why your trade business in Bairnsdale cares more about Google Maps than Instagram.

Third, there's the relationship. When something goes wrong at 4pm on a Friday — and something always goes wrong eventually — you want someone who picks up the phone. Not an automated ticket system that promises a response "within 2 business days."

Local developers aren't automatically better. But the good ones understand regional business because they live it.

This one's simpler than people make it.

Freelancers are usually cheaper and more flexible. You talk directly to the person building your site. No middlemen, no game of telephone. The downside? If they get sick, go on holiday, or just ghost you, there's no backup.

Agencies have more resources. If one person's unavailable, someone else can step in. They might have specialists for design, development, and SEO. The downside? More people means more overhead, which means higher prices. And you might never actually speak to the person doing the work.

For most small businesses in regional Victoria, a good freelancer or small operation (two to three people) is the sweet spot. You get personal service without the agency markup.

Before you hire anyone, get straight answers to these:

Can I see examples of sites you've built for similar businesses? Not just their best work — actual sites for businesses like yours. A developer who's built ten tradie websites will do a better job on yours than someone who's only done e-commerce.

What's included in the price? Some quotes include everything. Others don't include hosting, domain, content, or ongoing updates. Make sure you're comparing apples with apples.

Who owns the website when it's done? This should be you. If a developer builds your site on their own hosting and won't give you access, that's a problem. You should be able to walk away with everything if you need to.

What happens after launch? Sites need updates, security patches, and the occasional fix. Find out what support looks like and what it costs. Some developers disappear after launch. Others stick around.

How do you handle revisions? Everyone has different ideas about what "unlimited revisions" means. Get specific. Two rounds of feedback? Three? What counts as a revision versus a new feature?

Walk away if you see any of these:

No portfolio or won't show examples. Everyone has to start somewhere, but if they can't show you anything, that's a risk you're taking on.

Quotes without seeing what you need. If someone quotes you $3,000 without asking a single question about your business, they're guessing. Or they're planning to upsell you later.

Pressure tactics. "This price is only valid until Friday" or "I've got three other clients waiting" — that's sales nonsense. A good developer has enough work that they don't need to pressure you.

Vague timelines. "A few weeks" isn't a timeline. Get actual dates. And build in some buffer — things always take longer than expected.

They don't ask about your business. A website isn't just code and pictures. It's a tool for your business. If they're not asking about your customers, your goals, what's working and what isn't — they're just building something generic.

At the end of the day, you need three things from a web developer:

They build something that works for your business. Not a template with your logo slapped on. Not what they think looks cool. Something that helps you get customers and makes your life easier.

They communicate clearly. No jargon, no disappearing for weeks, no surprises. You should know what's happening at every stage.

They stick around after launch. The relationship doesn't end when the site goes live. You need someone who'll pick up the phone when something breaks or when you want to add something new.

Everything else — fancy proposals, slick presentations, awards on their website — is just noise. Find someone who ticks those three boxes and you'll be fine.

Choosing a web developer doesn't have to be complicated. Look for someone who asks good questions, shows you relevant work, gives you a clear quote, and seems like they'll actually be around when you need them.

For regional Victorian businesses, there's a lot to be said for working with someone local. They understand the market, they're accessible, and they've got skin in the game — their reputation in a small community depends on doing good work.

Trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is. And if you're not sure where to start, have a chat — I'm always happy to point you in the right direction, even if that's not towards me.

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