As I browse through the internet—more specifically, Facebook—I consider myself a loyal user of the app. Or, as researchers in the field of communication and social media would call it, a resident: someone who uses a specific social media platform and browses it for hours repeatedly throughout the week. Although some people call me an “old-style blueprint addict,” I find examining posts on Facebook fascinating—especially when it comes to hiring and marketing for web developers, both freelancers and agencies. So I thought it would be a good idea to shed some light on red flags I’ve encountered when it comes to developers advertising their web design and SEO services on Facebook.
Let it roll:
1. Inconsistency in Posting and Updates
Frequent or predictable updates are a sign of professionalism. If a developer’s page shows long gaps between posts, outdated pricing, or sporadic content, it can be a red flag.
2. No Personal Website
Some developers promote services like SEO and WordPress site building—but don’t have a website of their own. That’s like a mechanic without a garage. A website is not just a portfolio; it is a proof they can do what they claim.
3. Too-Good-to-Be-True Promises (with No Portfolio or Reviews)
Watch out for exaggerated claims like “Rank #1 on Google in 3 days!” without linking to any client portfolio or customer feedback. If there are no testimonials, case studies, or real work samples, be cautious.
4. Using Informal Channels Instead of Professional Ones
Many scummy pages direct you to use WhatsApp, Messenger, or vague personal emails rather than a professional contact form on a business website. This is especially common among freelancers pretending to be part of an agency.
5. Suspicious Facebook Profiles
A profile with no picture, minimal details, and recent creation date is a common pattern. If there’s little to no information about their services or background, that’s a serious red flag.
6. Newly Created Pages with Spam Activity
A developer page with three posts all made on the same day—often the day the page was created—is a red flag. It suggests the page may have been made quickly for a scam or temporary hustle.
Red Flags Work Both Ways On the other side of the scamming dilemma, legit developers can also be victims. I recently came across a post by Zuke Jake 2025 (@ZukeJakeDesigns), a Full-Stack Developer & Web Designer. He shared an incident that opened my eyes as a business owner.
“They were a Grocery Store page, but talking about a Cafe manager and a restaurant. The next step was to ‘text our Cafe manager on a generic Gmail,’ and the urgency: ‘Kindly send us a mail now, it’s important, thanks.’This is a classic advance fee or fake payment scam. They waste your time, try to get personal info, or ultimately ask you for money under false pretenses.”
This highlights that fraud on Facebook isn’t a one-way street. Scammers target both service providers and clients.
To sum it up, Hiring developers from social media has become the new normal in digital marketing. Many web design agencies around the world now rely heavily on platforms like Facebook to reach clients.
However, it’s essential to keep an eye out for red flags when hiring a developer through social media. Doing so helps protect your business, your money, and your time—so you can reach the results you’re aiming for.
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