Everything in writing
A fixed written quote with pages, features, revision rounds and delivery date before any payment. Milestone payments, not 100% upfront.
Guide · Updated November 2026
How to choose a web developer in India (and not get cheated)
Almost every business owner knows someone who paid for a website that never launched, or a developer who stopped picking up the phone — with the domain still in the developer's name. This checklist helps you pick the right person, ask the right questions and keep control of your own website.
Freelancer, studio or agency?
| Option | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| DIY builder (Wix, Hostinger builder) | Very small budgets, owners who enjoy doing it themselves | Yearly fees forever, your own time, weak SEO |
| Cheap freelancer / Fiverr | A quick one-page site | Template work, no support after a few months |
| Good freelancer or small studio | Most shops, clinics, coaching institutes, schools and CA firms | Check they will still be around for support |
| Agency | Large custom builds, branding and content teams | Higher price, slower changes |
Typical prices for each option are in our guide: how much a website costs in India.
10 questions to ask before you pay anything
- "Can I see three websites you built that are live today?" Open them on your phone. Do they load in a few seconds? Do the buttons work?
- "Will you give me a written quote with the list of pages and features?" If it isn't written, it isn't agreed.
- "Whose name will the domain be registered in?" The only right answer: yours.
- "Will I get the hosting and website logins?" You should, from day one or at handover.
- "Who writes the text and who provides photos?" This changes the price and the delivery date.
- "How many rounds of changes are included?"
- "What will I pay every year after launch?" Domain, hosting, SSL and support — get the renewal price, not the first-year offer.
- "Will it work well on mobile and show up on Google?" Ask what exactly they do: page titles, Search Console, Google Business Profile, speed.
- "Who fixes it if something breaks after six months, and what does that cost?"
- "Is GST extra, and will I get a GST invoice?" If you're GST-registered, a proper invoice lets you claim input tax credit.
Red flags: walk away if you see these
- Price given on a phone call, nothing in writing.
- "Pay 100% now, we'll start tomorrow."
- No live websites to show — only screenshots or templates.
- "Hosting is free" but locked to them, with no login for you.
- Promises like "guaranteed first page on Google in 7 days". Nobody can guarantee rankings.
- They won't put the domain in your name.
- Every question gets a vague answer.
What you must own after launch
Before you make the final payment, make sure you have all of these. Ownership is what stops a developer from holding your business hostage later.
| Item | How to check |
|---|---|
| Domain name | Registered in your or your business's name, with your email; you can log in to the registrar. |
| Hosting account | In your name, or you have a working login and the renewal date. |
| Website files / code | A copy you can download, or access to the code repository. |
| Google Search Console + Analytics | Your Gmail is the owner; the developer is only added as a user. |
| Google Business Profile | You are the primary owner. See how to set it up. |
| Business email (if any) | Admin login with you. |
Fair payment terms
- Small site: 50% to start, 50% on handover.
- Bigger project: three milestones — start, design approved, launch.
- Pay by bank transfer or UPI to an account in the business's or developer's name, and ask for a receipt or invoice every time.
- Release the last payment only after the site is live and you have the logins from the table above.
Already stuck with a developer who disappeared?
- Look up who your domain is registered to and with which registrar (search "WHOIS" with your domain name).
- If it's in your name, use the registrar's "forgot password" with your email.
- If it's in the developer's name, ask in writing for a transfer, keeping copies of your payments as proof.
- Get a copy of the website before the hosting expires, if you can.
We offer a free check of your current website and can tell you what you own and what you don't.
How we work
How Zera Technologies answers the 10 questions
Ask us anything from the list above — here are our answers in advance.
You own it all
Domain, hosting, code, Search Console, Analytics and Google Business Profile in your name once the project is paid.
Published prices
Starter ₹9,999, Business ₹19,999, Pro ₹34,999, + 18% GST with a proper GST invoice. Care from ₹999/month — renewal costs told upfront.
Don't take our word for it — open our nine live products on your phone.
FAQ
Common questions
Should I hire a freelancer or an agency for my website?
For a small business website, a good freelancer or small studio is usually enough and costs less. Choose an agency when you need a full team for strategy, branding, content and a large custom build. Whoever you choose, check live work, get a written quote and make sure you own the domain and hosting.
How much advance should I pay a web developer?
A common fair split is 50% to start and 50% on handover, or three milestones for larger projects. Avoid paying 100% upfront, and never pay the final amount before you have the logins for your domain, hosting and website.
How do I check if a web developer is genuine?
Open the websites they say they built, on your phone, and check they load fast and work. Ask for the written scope, check their contact details and GST registration if they bill GST, and speak on a call before paying. A genuine developer is happy to answer every question in writing.
Who should own the domain name?
You should. The domain must be registered in your or your business's name, with your email as the contact, and you should have the login. If the developer registers it in their name, they effectively control your website.
What should a website quotation include?
The list of pages, features, who writes the content, number of revision rounds, delivery date, what is included in the price (domain, hosting, SSL), what happens after launch, payment schedule and whether GST is extra.