how to obtain quality freelancer

[aonefun]

I need to make changes to several parts of my website but due to time constraints, would like to hire someone to do them. Where would be the best place to seek a quality freelancer. Additionally, am I being reasonable by requesting that all code is commented since I might need to go into it in the future and make changes myself?

[Rick Gerard]

A quality freelancer would take a look at your site, talk to you about the scope of work, set a price and a timeline, do the work on a duplicate server if possible, get your approval, and then send you a bill. When you paid the bill he would upload the changes to your sige.

A freelancer you would want to watch out for is one that would say sure, that will be $500 down and the balance when I'm done.

[Rob_Hecker2]

Get recommendations from people you know who have websites for businesses that are comparable in size to yours and whose websites you admire. Choose a developer who has been in business full time for many years, who is in it for the long haul, not someone who does it on the side. You don't necessarily have to work with someone in your locale (most of my clients are in countries I have never visited), but you should feel good about the rapport between the developer and yourself.

You have not told us anything about your webiste, but I get the impression it is technically simple. There are many technologies in use on the web, asnd no one works with them all. Make sure the developer you hire is proficient in the technologies used.

am I being reasonable by requesting that all code is commented since I might need to go into it in the future and make changes myself?

Are you talking about making changes to simple HTML code or complex PHP logic? HTML is rarely commented because, after all, it's incredibly simple, readable, and obvious. PHP and Javascript are commented with the purpose of orienting the developer who is working with thousands of lines of code, but not usually for the purpose of providing tutorials on its maintenance. If you are paying the bill, it's not unreasonable to ask for anything, but it may cost you dearly for the time the developer spends writing detailed explanations for a non-technical person to follow.

It is reasonable for website owners to want to be able to change content on their websites without having to always go through the developer. That's why content management systems like WordPress, Joomla, etc. are so popular.

[Kelloggj]

As someone who has had many interning jobs, and has freelanced through most of his college career, try to know what you want. Too many times I worked with people who gave me way too simplistic ideas or abstract thoughts they wanted me to portray in a site. You need to get on paper what you need done, and then settle on a price with your freelancer.

What was said earlier when it comes to asking for references and past work is also important. Also, definitely Rick's advice when it comes to seeing the final product before paying your freelancer. You are not going to want someone lie and walk away with your money. If who you meet with is a nice person they will probably fix it for a very low price assuming it is a simple change, and help you understand how to change things in the future on your own.

[BazBat]

Ask to see a online Portfolio and latest work. Right click,  view source. A have look and see if it looks professional (indended code, minified code), run them again online website speed checks (just google it) see what the reports say. Do an Whois lookup on their domains and see how they are hosted and with . Check if the domains are registered to him/her or the companies he made them for (shows his/her understanding of the process).