What You Need to Know Before Hiring a Web Developer on Upwork

If you search Google for “hire a freelancer web developer,” Upwork often tops the list of results, right after the paid promotions. Many businesses are drawn to Upwork for website solutions, but is it truly the best option? While it might seem like a convenient platform, there are serious drawbacks that business owners should consider before hiring a web developer on Upwork.

The Appeal of Affordable Freelancers—And the Reality

Upwork may attract clients with the promise of affordable development talent. It’s tempting: a low upfront cost and seemingly low effort. However, the platform’s pricing model pressures many developers to undervalue their work, often leading to low-quality results. As a freelancer myself, I’ve had to spend money simply to apply for jobs and stay competitive on Upwork, often making less than the cost of the application fees, especially after Upwork’s cut.

The intense competition on Upwork can also make it difficult to filter skilled developers from a sea of freelancers, especially since the platform encourages low-cost bidding. For clients, this can result in an overwhelming number of applicants who may lack the skills needed for quality work.

Cheap options may seem appealing, but they often set a trap that results in subpar output.

The Risk of Poor Quality Code

Evaluating a developer’s skill on Upwork can be challenging, especially if you lack technical expertise. Low-quality code can introduce significant issues over time, including:

Frequent bugs
Slow loading times
Security vulnerabilities
Difficulty scaling or updating the site later on

These issues might not be immediately visible but can add up, costing time and money to fix. If you eventually hire a skilled developer, they may need to redo or repair parts of the original work, which can be costly and time-consuming.

Reliability Issues on Upwork

Infographic featured the title Filteriing Through Freelancers. A funnel with four sections, demonstrating the lowering number of qualified candidates. Starts with total applicants, then filter for skill, filter for experience, and lastly the final selection of 1-2 qualified freelancers.

Skilled freelancers on Upwork often migrate off the platform to pursue stable employment, hunt out clients on their own, or start a businesses. This “brain drain” leaves fewer highly skilled developers on the platform, making it difficult for clients to find quality talent. It’s not uncommon to receive 50+ applications for a job post, but finding even a handful of skilled developers in that mix can be tough.

There’s also the “one-and-done” issue: many freelancers take on single projects without a long-term commitment to the client’s business. While Upwork allows for contract extensions, freelancers often move on to better-paying opportunities. The lack of consistent documentation standards can also make it challenging for a new developer to understand the previous developer’s work, increasing the likelihood of maintenance issues down the road.

The Consequences of Cheap Development

Choosing a developer based on the lowest cost can be expensive in the long run. Low-quality work often needs frequent fixes or a complete rebuild. Maintenance issues can crop up months later, and without a skilled developer to address them, you risk downtime, lost customer trust, and missed revenue opportunities.

Having a strong, functional site isn’t just about avoiding bugs—it’s about building a reliable foundation for your business. Just as an experienced contractor can recommend features to improve your home, a skilled developer brings insights to improve your website’s performance and increase your revenue potential.

Finding Better Options

Consider exploring options outside of Upwork to find a reliable developer or development business. Working directly with a freelancer or a small business can foster a professional relationship, ensuring personalized, high-quality work and long-term support. While the upfront cost may be higher than Upwork, investing in a professional developer is an investment in your business’s growth and stability.

If You Choose Upwork, Take These Precautions

If you decide to use Upwork, make sure to:

Review portfolios carefully to avoid scams, bots, and under-skilled freelancers.
Request samples of work from freelancers, especially if they are new to the platform.
Check client reviews to understand past performance.
Interview a few top selections to gauge professionalism and ask important questions.

While Upwork can seem like a budget-friendly solution, it often leads to hidden costs, inconsistent quality, and risks that can damage a business’s web presence. Choosing the right web developer should mean finding a professional partner to build a site that is a valuable, long-term asset to your business.