How to Hire a Freelance Web Developer in Lebanon (2026)

Hiring the right developer is the difference between a website that grows your business and one you're rebuilding a year later. I'm Omar Obeid, a freelance full stack developer in Lebanon, and I've been on both sides of this — as the person hired, and as a founder hiring others for my studio, Velora. Here's the practical guide I wish every client had before reaching out.

Freelancer vs. Agency: Which Do You Need?

For most Lebanese businesses — a landing page, business site, e-commerce store, or a focused web app — a skilled freelancer gives you better value and a direct line to the person actually writing the code.

The Hiring Checklist

Before you sign anything, confirm the developer:

• Has a real portfolio with live, working links (not just screenshots).
• Shows relevant work — e-commerce experience if you need a store, app experience if you need an app.
• Communicates clearly in your language (Arabic and English matter for Lebanese projects).
• Gives a written scope and quote, not a vague verbal estimate.
• Explains ownership — you should own the code, domain, and accounts.
• Offers post-launch support and is transparent about maintenance costs.
• Uses a modern stack — React, Next.js, Node.js, Supabase, or similar — so the site is fast and future-proof.

Questions to Ask Before You Hire

1. Can I see live projects similar to mine?
2. What exactly is included in the price — and what costs extra?
3. Who owns the code and hosting accounts after launch?
4. What's the timeline, and how do we handle changes mid-project?
5. How do you handle payments — deposit, milestones, or full upfront?
6. What happens if something breaks after launch?
7. Do you handle SEO, analytics, and mobile optimization, or is that separate?

A good developer answers these directly and in writing. Vagueness here is a preview of vagueness later.

Red Flags to Avoid

• Prices that seem too cheap (under ~$400 for a full site) — usually unlicensed themes and no support.
• No portfolio or only unverifiable claims.
• Demands 100% payment upfront before any work is shown.
• Won't give you ownership of code, domain, or accounts — this locks you in.
• Slow or unclear communication during the sales stage; it only gets worse.
• No written contract or scope.

A Worked Example: What a Good Hire Looks Like

To make this concrete, here's how I structure my own client work — a reasonable benchmark for any freelancer you evaluate:

• Portfolio: Live projects across e-commerce (GFitness), rentals (Silver Rent, Nest Rental), and government e-services (Hasroun Municipality) — all with working links.
• Stack: React, Next.js, Node.js, TypeScript, Supabase, plus React Native and Flutter for mobile, and AI agent workflows for automation.
• Process: Written scope and fixed quote, milestone-based payments, and clear ownership — you keep all code and accounts.
• Communication: Native Arabic, fluent English, direct contact with me throughout.
• After launch: Transparent maintenance and support options.

You don't have to hire me — but you should hold whoever you hire to this standard.

FAQ