I’m Cody Ewing, and if you’re reading this, your website is probably giving you a headache. Maybe it looks like it was designed in 2004, the year my dad, Butch, started our web agency, Bruce & Eddy. Or maybe you built it yourself on a drag-and-drop platform, and now it feels like a digital version of a car held together with duct tape and hope.
We’ve seen it all. From our headquarters in Texas, we’ve talked to business owners from Houston to Marfa who hired developers that ghosted them, Austin startups that burned cash on features they didn’t need, and Dallas nonprofits that just wanted a website that worked.
Figuring out how to hire a web developer feels like a trap. You’re not just buying some code; you’re investing in the front door to your business. This isn’t another boring checklist. It’s a real conversation about what you need, who you should hire, and how to avoid the expensive mistakes we’ve seen people make for over 20 years.
TL;DR: The Bruce & Eddy Cheat Sheet
- Before you hire anyone, you need a crystal-clear plan. A vague idea attracts vague talent, and that gets expensive fast.
- We offer different tools for different jobs. Our BEGO plan is perfect for small businesses needing a professional site with unlimited updates. For bigger needs, Butch and our code wizard, Anjo, build completely custom website development solutions.
- Builders like Wix and Squarespace are great for starting, but most businesses outgrow them. Our guys, Blake (Wix) and Landon (Squarespace), can help you get the most out of them or graduate you to something better.
- A website without an SEO strategy is like a billboard in the desert. It looks nice, but nobody sees it.
- Don’t just hire a coder; hire a partner. A good agency sticks around to help with hosting, security, and all the boring stuff so you can run your business.
Let’s get your website working as hard as you do.
What Problem Are You Actually Trying to Solve?
Before you write a single job post, stop. Hiring a developer without a clear plan is like calling a contractor and saying, “Build me a house,” but forgetting to mention if you want a cozy cottage in Wimberley or a glass mansion in Austin. You’ll end up with something expensive you didn’t ask for.
A while back, a client came to us with an idea that was a messy collage of competitor features and cool app functions. My dad, Butch, has a superpower for cutting through the noise. He sat them down and turned that chaos into an actionable plan, saving them a six-figure headache.
Forget features for a second. Why does this website need to exist? Are you trying to get the phone to ring more in San Antonio, sell products online from your Fort Worth shop, or just look legitimate so people take you seriously?
- Goal: Generate Leads: You need a site focused on clear calls to action and forms that actually work.
- Goal: Sell Products: This is an e-commerce build, a completely different animal involving carts and payment gateways.
- Goal: Build an App: Now you’re talking user logins and interactive features. This is less of a website and more of a web app.
Once you know the why, you can list the what. Split your feature list into two columns: “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves.”
Butch’s Golden Rule: If you can launch and make money without a feature, it’s a “nice-to-have.” Be ruthless. Your bank account will thank you.
Taking an hour to document your needs will save you weeks of frustration. It’s the most important step in finding a developer who won’t let you down. If you need a hand, our simple website design brief can get you started.
The Bruce & Eddy Difference (and Why We’re Not Like Other Agencies)
Alright, you know what you need to build. Now, who’s going to build it? You could hire a freelancer, bring someone in-house, or work with an agency. We’re obviously biased, but here’s why our model works.
Working with an agency like Bruce & Eddy gives you a whole team without the overhead of full-time hires. You’re not just getting a coder; you’re getting a crew.
- You get a big-picture strategist like Butch (my dad), ensuring the project aligns with your real business goals. He’s from Midlothian, so he has that no-nonsense Texas approach.
- You get a perfectionist like Anjo to handle complex custom website development and make sure every line of code is flawless.
- You get a design guru like Landon to make everything look fantastic on Squarespace or a custom build.
- You get a rapid deployment expert like Blake if you need a great Wix site launched, like, yesterday.
- And you get me, Cody, keeping it all on track, while our client happiness lead, Amy, makes sure you never feel left in the dark.
An agency isn’t just a hired gun; it’s an entire outsourced department. You get the expertise, the backup, and the long-term support system all in one place. And yes, Bruceville-Eddy is a real place—we get that a lot. For a deeper look at our team, you can check out our About page.
This chart breaks down your options.
BEGO: For Small Businesses That Need to Look Big
We kept seeing great small businesses in places like Katy and Sugar Land stuck with terrible websites because they couldn’t afford a custom build. So, I created BEGO. It’s our plan that gives you a professionally designed, mobile-friendly website with unlimited updates, all for a flat monthly fee. No surprise bills, no headaches. It’s the perfect way to get a world-class site without the upfront cost. Check out the details on our BEGO page.
Custom Development: When You Need More Horsepower
When your business has unique needs that an off-the-shelf solution can’t handle, you need a custom build. This is where Butch and Anjo shine. We build everything from complex WordPress websites to full-blown web apps and integrations that become the core of our clients’ operations. This is for when “good enough” is no longer good enough.
Builder Platforms (Wix & Squarespace): The Right Tool for the Job
We’re not snobs. Platforms like Wix and Squarespace are fantastic tools for certain projects. Our team includes specialists for both. Blake is our go-to for Wix website design, perfect for businesses that need to get online quickly. Landon is our master of Squarespace websites, ideal for design-forward brands that need a beautiful digital storefront. We can build on them, fix them, or help you migrate off them when you’re ready to grow.
SEO: Your Website’s Secret Weapon
A great website that no one can find is just an expensive hobby. SEO services for businesses are what turn your site into a lead-generating machine. It’s how you show up when someone in Richmond or Arlington is searching for exactly what you offer.
For many of our clients, SEO is where they start with us. We can audit your existing site, build a content strategy, and manage an ongoing campaign to get you ranking. It’s a long game, but it’s the most powerful way to grow. We build SEO into everything we do, ensuring your site isn’t just pretty—it performs.
The Long Haul: Support After Launch
Thinking a project ends at launch is a huge mistake. A website is a living thing. It needs updates, security monitoring, and backups. Who are you going to call when something breaks?
We handle all of it: hosting, DNS, security, domains, and maintenance. We become your long-term technical partner, so you can focus on running your business instead of worrying about plugin updates. This is a core part of all our Services.
Finding the right web developer is about finding a partner. Since 2004, we’ve been that partner for hundreds of businesses across Texas and the U.S. We’ve helped a floral shop in Fredericksburg get online and a logistics company in Houston streamline its operations. Each time, the goal is the same: build something that works, treat people right, and have a little fun doing it.
If your current website feels like it’s held together with duct tape and a prayer, maybe it’s time we talked. At Bruce & Eddy, we build serious websites that get real results—and we manage to have a good time while we do it. Let’s figure out what’s next for you.
