A good software developer shows 5 green flags: real shipped apps, apps they still run, plain explanations, honesty about what you don’t need, and full ownership of the work. You don’t need to read code to spot these. Just ask the right questions and listen for straight answers.
What’s the first thing to check?
Ask to see something real they built. A good developer can show you an app or website that real people use today, not a mockup. Ask when it launched and whether it still runs. That one question weeds out most weak hires.
Do they still maintain what they built?
Yes, and this matters more than the build itself. Software breaks over time as phones, browsers, and other systems change. A developer who still maintains old projects will stick around after your launch too. See our guide on what it costs to maintain an app for what that upkeep looks like.
Can they explain things without jargon?
A good developer can explain a technical choice in plain words in under a minute. Ask why they’d pick one approach over another. A simple answer that makes sense is a green flag. Buzzwords with no check that you understood are not.
Is it bad if they say I don’t need that?
No, it’s a great sign. A developer who tells you “skip that feature” or “you don’t need AI yet” is protecting your money, not selling you less. Compare that honesty against the options in freelancer vs agency vs studio before you decide who builds your project.
| Green flag | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Shipped real apps | Proves they can finish, not just start |
| Still maintains them | Proves they stick around after launch |
| Explains things simply | Proves they understand, not just repeat terms |
| Honest about what you don’t need | Protects your budget and timeline |
| Owns the work end to end | No handoffs, no lost knowledge |
At Givore, we build and keep running the apps, APIs, and automations we make for clients. One team, one point of contact, from the first screen to the server it runs on. Want a second look at a project or a developer? Tell us on WhatsApp.