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Question

How to identify a good programmer? I am not one.

Aug 22, 2013 12:52AM PDT

I need to hire a freelance programmer to do some work on my website www.WholesomeRepublic.com, but I don't know how to determine which ones are qualified. Even if they provide previous work examples, I will not know what they can or cannot do until I give them access to the back-end of my site (which frightens me a little).

Any suggestions on how to find quality freelance programmers?

Thank you.

Note: This post was edited by a forum moderator to remove hyperlink on 08/22/2013 at 8:46 AM PT

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Why not
Aug 22, 2013 1:01AM PDT

use the person who created the web site initially? I mean, "Design by: EYStudios".

It is often very difficult, (meaning costly), to get someone else in to disassemble the coding to see how it is all put together, before making changes.

Mark

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Hey Mark
Aug 22, 2013 2:10AM PDT

Thanks for your response. The people who designed the page do quality work, but they are quite costly when it comes to small changes (for my current budget). I will continue to use them in the future, but I am considering getting a website "handyman" for smaller, simpler jobs.

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Answer
Here's a way. Prior work. The pottery example.
Aug 22, 2013 1:31AM PDT
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I'm not saying
Aug 22, 2013 2:14AM PDT

that previous work is irrelevant. All I was asking is what other ways are there to identify a good programmer. Theoretically, a programmer could take a few screenshots from the internet and call it previous work experience, right?

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If they did, they would be discovered too quickly.
Aug 22, 2013 2:27AM PDT

My work is something I carry with me. I do app development and have my device and laptop which I can demo my rather boring work to a client. Sorry but my work is not web sites but something in the factory testing and mobile technician areas.

Another issue I encounter is the minimum charge. A person new to your site would need some time to figure out how it works, how to update which can result in a charge more than your current support.

For "small changes" I think the client should dig in. That is, you should be able to change a phone number or such with ease. That's just a text change.
Bob