How to Find a Freelance Webflow Developer: Three Necessary Questions to Ask

Are you feeling overwhelmed trying to find the perfect Webflow developer? Custom web development isn't something that business owners can frequently redo, so it's understandable to feel like there's a lot at stake.

As someone who has been on both sides of the process - the hirer and the hired - I want to help put your mind at ease. In this article, we'll explore three essential questions to ask yourself to make finding a Webflow developer a little less daunting.

Where to start

If you're looking for a freelance Webflow developer, with so many options available, it's important to approach the search with a plan in mind.

First, if you're new to this process take some time to learn how the Webflow development process typically works. By understanding the phases, you can figure out how much work you or your team will do before you bring in a freelancer.

Next, make sure to have clear priorities. Some Webflow developers specialize in bold interactions and animations, while others may focus on clean, navigable design for content-heavy sites. Still, others may have expertise in performance optimization and SEO.

You may hit the jackpot and find a developer that does all of these things exceptionally well, but even then, the developer must understand what you're trying to achieve. If you want to earn a spot at the top of search engines, it may be necessary to tame the animations in favor of a more static, fast-loading design.

On the other hand, if your users typically have fast internet connections, and you already have a solid user base, sacrificing some page performance may not be a big deal. The bottom line is: Start with who you're serving, what you're wanting to achieve, and an idea of what skills will be required to get the job done.

Where to look

Let's explore the advantages and disadvantages of some of the top channels for finding freelance Webflow developers.

Referral

A personal referral is a recommendation for a Webflow developer from someone in your personal or professional network who has worked with them before.

Advantage: A personal referral is a unique and powerful channel, as you can get first-hand feedback on a Webflow developer's skills, work ethic, and personality from someone you trust.

Disadvantage: A personal referral, if you stop there, is a limited pool to choose from. The developer may have been great for your colleague's use case, but may ultimately lack the style, skills, or pricing that fits your needs best.

Upwork

Upwork is an online platform that connects businesses with freelancers for various types of work, including Webflow development.

Advantage: Upwork offers a large, global pool of freelance Webflow developers to choose from, with tools to manage the relationship, including time tracking and invoicing to help ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget.

Disadvantage: With high transaction fees for both clients and freelancers, Upwork adds layers of costs onto a platform that often feels like a race to the bottom. Expect to get a lot of applicants to your job posting, but make sure to take the time to find the right fit.

Toptal

Toptal is an exclusive network of top freelance developers, designers, and finance experts, who are rigorously vetted for their skills and expertise.

Advantages: Offers a highly vetted network of top Webflow developers, so you can be confident in the quality of the freelancers you hire. Toptal also offers a risk-free trial period for clients to test out a freelancer before committing to a longer-term engagement.

Disadvantage: Prices are generally higher than on other platforms due to the focus on high-quality talent. There are also not as many freelancers to choose from compared to larger platforms like Upwork.

Dribbble

Dribbble is a social media platform and community for designers, including Webflow developers, to showcase their work, connect with other designers, and find job opportunities.

Advantages: With a focus specifically on designers, Dribbble attracts Webflow developers with style. The platform provides designers with better tools to showcase their work, which means a better overview of their portfolio for you.

Disadvantages: In addition to having fewer freelancers to choose from compared to larger platforms like Upwork, Dribbble is less focused on human resources, and lacks robust freelance management tools.

Agency

A Webflow design agency provides in-house web design and development services to businesses, often for a specific geographic area.

Advantages: Working with a local agency can provide a more personalized experience, as you can meet with the agency in person and build a relationship with them over time.

Disadvantages: A local agency will typically have higher costs than freelance platforms and may lack the talent and style you can find with a freelancer that competes in a national or global marketplace.

How to hire

Once you have narrowed down the best channel for you, it's time to post your job. There are primarily two strategies you can take here. Let's explore them both.

Your way

Some businesses have well-established processes and look to find a Webflow developer that will perform a specific, well-defined scope of work.

If this sounds like your context, then in your job posting you should succinctly describe what your expectations are, what tasks the freelance web developer will be performing, and the timeline (i.e. whether project-based or ongoing).

You will also likely want to hire your freelance Webflow developer on an hourly basis. This gives you more flexibility to change the scope of work as you see fit and ensures your freelancer will stay motivated and eager to accomplish your requirements.

You should plan to pay $70-120 / hour for an expert Webflow developer and $30-70 / hour for an intermediate or up-and-coming talent.

Their way

One of the benefits of hiring a freelance Webflow developer is you get access to the expertise and experience that you and your business lack.

Not only do Webflow developers have the skills to build responsive, effective websites, but they may also have insights on how to best execute the web development process.

If your goal is results-first, you should consider hiring a developer on a project basis. In your job posting, describe the results you're looking for with relevant guidelines and budget, and ask for a roadmap.

In this context, consider hiring on a fixed-price milestone basis. Because you're giving your freelance developer more control over the process, they will be able to confidently price out deliverables.

Final thoughts

Regardless of how you choose to work with your freelance Webflow developer, if possible, start with a trial period. Hire them to complete a limited scope of work, and if it feels right, continue the project.

At Mudd Media, I create your home page and site navigation before you pay, allowing you to see my work first-hand. And if you don't love it, or don't think I'm the right fit, then you owe nothing.

Webflow website development can be a creative, fun process that delivers exceptional results. However you choose to proceed, I hope you recognize this as an opportunity to find a trusted collaborator; to imagine together what could be, and put the energy into making it so.