Meeting web developer for local business. Can you suggest questions I ask him?

[Entrepadawan]

I am looking to set up a dog walking business/agency in my area.

I feel an online presence will give me more momentum and an app will allow the pairing up of clients and dog-walkers to work smoothly.

The website I picture in my head is simple enough "Home""How it works" "Our walkers""FAQs""Login" and the design is easy to explain, same goes for the app


Apart from pricing, what are the key things I should be asking this developer?

 

[Alan]

Pricing is the last thing you should ask.

A few things off the top of my head

1. examples of similar work
2. references - that you can follow up on
3. is the work all in house or being outsourced
4. what is the expect timescale for delivery
5. where will it be hosted and who will support it after live
6. what content will you be able to manage yourself and what needs the developer to change in the future
7. what technology do they propose
8. how will provide the content ( text and images )
9. what is their design process

Also as you are suggesting a pairing up system ( app and website login ) you will need to be very clear on the functionality - either you will need to specify this very well or allow a bit of the project for detailed specification

 

[fisicx]

Why do you need an app?

And what is the login for? What happens after they login?

 

[webgeek]

What specific things will you be doing to assure us that the website will be found easily / rank well, on search engines?

Do you consider marketing part of your remit in building the website?

What are you doing to ensure there is no duplicate content?

Are you using structured data markup for location, content, etc?

 

[Alan]

And what is the login for? What happens after they login?

The OP stated that they want to create an agency / pairing service - so the login will obviously be for customers and walkers to enter details etc.

This is a non trivial website, I assume that the OP is aware that there are already countrywide established services, and competing against them will require similar technology and importantly substantial launch marketing budget.