Web Development Toronto
Whether for yourself or your business, a website will be your face to the online world. In 2026, user expectations are higher than ever, so you must put your website creation project in the hands of someone you can trust to build a high-quality, secure, and high-performance site according to your vision.
However, depending on your own experiences, you might not know where to start when it comes to scouting potential talent. In this article, we’ve updated our guide with the most important questions to ask a potential hire, as well as the answers you should expect in today’s landscape.
What are the main responsibilities of a web developer?
Modern web development has evolved. You should expect a developer to handle much more than just “making it look right.” To avoid miscommunication, ensure they agree to the following set of responsibilities:
- Proficiency: Master the required programming languages and modern frameworks (like React, Next.js, or Vue).
- Performance Engineering: Build a website that passes Google’s Core Web Vitals with high scores.
- Accessibility: Ensure the site is AODA/WCAG compliant so it is usable for everyone.
- Collaboration: Regularly rendezvous with your team or stakeholders via modern project management tools.
- Design Integration: Either work seamlessly with a UI/UX designer or provide professional design services.
- Security: Implement modern security protocols to protect user data and prevent injections.
- Maintenance: Carry out troubleshooting, security patches, and platform updates post-launch.
What’s your educational/training background?
Web developers come from various backgrounds, and in 2026, continuous learning is more important than a degree from a decade ago. While a tertiary degree in Computer Science is a great indicator of foundational knowledge, many world-class developers are self-taught or bootcamp-certified.
What to look for: If they don’t have a formal degree, they must provide a robust portfolio and proof of recent certifications. Conversely, even a developer with a Ph.D. must prove they can build a real-world, mobile-responsive website. Ask: “How do you keep your skills current in the age of AI-assisted coding?”
Do you have a portfolio?
Any web developer worth their salt should provide a portfolio of their previous work. The answer is a resounding YES!
When reviewing a portfolio, don’t just look at the screenshots. Open the live sites on your phone and your desktop. A good developer should be proud to show you how their sites perform in the real world, not just how they look.
What languages and frameworks do you know?
In 2026, the “minimum” requirements have shifted. For a custom, high-end website, expect proficiency in:
- HTML5 & CSS3: Including modern layouts (Grid/Flexbox) and utility-first CSS (Tailwind).
- JavaScript (ES6+): Essential for any interactive elements.
- Modern Frameworks: React, Next.js, or Vue.js for high-speed, app-like performance.
The following are project-dependent but are often “must-haves” for dynamic sites:
- PHP: Crucial if you are building a WordPress site.
- TypeScript: Often preferred over standard JavaScript for bug-free, scalable code.
- SQL/NoSQL: For database management and dynamic content.
- Python/Node.js: For advanced custom web application development.
Have you worked with businesses in Toronto before? Where are you based?
Proximity still matters. A developer in your region understands the local market and regulatory landscape. For example, if you are in Ontario, a Toronto web developer will be familiar with AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) compliance, which is a legal requirement for many local businesses.
How do you optimize for Core Web Vitals?
Page speed is now a primary Google ranking factor. Your developer should mention:
- Image Optimization: Using next-gen formats like **AVIF** or WebP and implementing lazy loading.
- INP (Interaction to Next Paint): Optimizing code so the site responds instantly to user clicks.
- LCP (Largest Contentful Paint): Using Server-Side Rendering (SSR) or Static Site Generation (SSG) to load content faster.
- Minification: Reducing the size of HTML, CSS, and JS files.
- Reputable Hosting: Moving away from cheap shared hosting to high-performance cloud environments.
How to optimize website pages for SEO?
Expect your developer to discuss “Technical SEO,” which includes:
- Semantic HTML: Using proper header tags (H1-H6) so search engines can read the page.
- JSON-LD Schema: Implementing structured data to get “Rich Snippets” in search results.
- Mobile-First Indexing: Ensuring the mobile version of the site is the priority.
- XML Sitemaps: Creating a roadmap for search engine crawlers.
- Logical URL Structures: Using clean, descriptive URLs.
Technical questions:
What is the difference between Client-Side and Server-Side Rendering?
Client-side (CSR) renders in the browser; Server-side (SSR) renders on the server. In 2026, most top-tier sites use SSR or “Hydration” (like in Next.js) to ensure both fast performance and excellent SEO.
How do you handle web accessibility?
The answer should include mentions of ARIA labels, semantic HTML, and testing with screen readers to ensure compliance with WCAG 2.2 standards.
What is your approach to security?
Look for mentions of SSL/TLS certificates, Content Security Policies (CSP), and protecting against common vulnerabilities like XSS and SQL injection.
In conclusion
These questions provide a solid baseline for assessing a candidate. In 2026, the best developers aren’t just “coders”—they are performance engineers and accessibility advocates. If you find someone who is enthusiastic about these technical details, you’ve likely found a great partner for your project.
