How to Choose a Website Developer in Almaty — 2026 Checklist

Choosing a contractor to build a website is like choosing a doctor. Get it wrong, and you lose money, time and nerves. Almaty has a large web development market: studios, freelancers, agencies for any budget.

In short: check live sites from the portfolio (not screenshots), clarify who will own the code after payment, and work under a contract with a 40–50% upfront payment. If a developer avoids these three points — look for someone else.

Studio, freelancer or website builder — which to choose?

Each option has its own pros and cons:

Web studio — a team of specialists, processes, contract. Suitable for large projects. Downside: higher cost, longer approvals, a manager acts as a middleman between you and the developer.

Solo developer — one specialist, direct communication, flexibility. Suitable for small and medium businesses. Downside: you need to check their portfolio and skills.

Website builder (Tilda, Wix) — fast and cheap. Suitable for an MVP and testing an idea. Downside: limited features, template-like look, dependence on the platform.

What to look at in a developer's portfolio?

It's not the number of projects that matters, but their quality. Here's a checklist:

• Live websites — a portfolio of screenshots proves nothing. Follow the links, check that the sites actually work.
• Loading speed — open the portfolio sites on your phone. If it takes longer than 3 seconds to load — that's a problem.
• Mobile version — over 70% of traffic in Kazakhstan comes from mobile devices. The site should look good on a phone screen.
• Similar projects — if the developer has made sites in your niche before, they already understand its specifics.

What questions should you ask a developer before starting work?

Ask these questions before work begins:

1. What technologies do you use? — If the answer is "a website builder", clarify which one. If "custom code" — clarify the stack (PHP, React, WordPress, etc.).
2. Who will own the code? — After payment, all code and design should belong to you. Clarify this in advance.
3. What's included in the price? — Design, layout, mobile adaptation, basic SEO, hosting setup — everything should be agreed upon.
4. How many revisions are included? — Endless revisions drag the project out. Usually 2-3 rounds of edits is normal.
5. Is there support after launch? — A website is a living thing. Bugs, updates, small improvements — who will handle that?

What red flags should worry you when choosing a developer?

Run if:

• There's no portfolio, or it's all "under NDA"
• They ask for 100% upfront payment
• They promise a website in 1-2 days (except for simple landing pages)
• They can't clearly explain what's included in the price
• They don't reply to messages for several days
• They refuse to work under a contract

How should you pay for website development?

A proven formula: 40-50% upfront, the rest after the result is approved. Some developers split payment into 3 stages: design, development, launch. This is safer for both sides.

Summary: selection checklist

• A portfolio with live projects
• A clear workflow and timeline
• Transparent pricing
• A contract or at least a written brief
• Fast communication (replies within a day)
• Warranty and support after launch

What's different about the web development market in Almaty?

In Almaty you can find a developer for any budget — from a student freelancer to a large agency. A few observations:

• Prices vary widely. A business card site in Almaty costs from 80,000 to 500,000 tenge — depending on the contractor's experience and scope of work. Don't chase the cheapest option.
• Work under a contract. This is especially important in Kazakhstan: a contract protects both parties and serves as a basis for tax accounting.
• Multilingual support. If your audience is in Kazakhstan, clarify Kazakh language support. This is a requirement for government bodies and many B2C companies.
• Hosting and a .kz domain. Make sure the domain and hosting are registered in your name, not left with the developer.

Frequently asked questions

How much does website development cost in Almaty?

A landing page starts from 120,000 ₸, a business card site with an admin panel from 180,000 ₸, a corporate website from 250,000 ₸. Price depends on the scope of work, design and functionality.

How long does website development take?

A landing page — 3–5 days, a business card site — 5–7 days, a corporate website — 7–10 days. In practice, the speed heavily depends on how quickly the client provides materials and approves revisions.

How do I check a developer before starting work?

Ask for live links to completed projects, check their loading speed and mobile version. Ask to see the contract — a serious contractor works officially.

What happens to the site after the project is delivered?

Clarify in advance: is support included in the price, how are edits made after launch, is training provided for the admin panel. A reliable developer has answers to these questions ready in advance.