Before You Hire a Web Developer: A Checklist for Nigerian Businesses

Many business owners hire a web developer the way they buy a phone: they pick someone, pay, and hope for the best. Then the project drags on for months, the cost keeps growing, and the finished website does not do what the business actually needs.

The difference between a smooth website project and a painful one is rarely the developer's talent alone. It is preparation. A business that knows what it wants, what it will provide, and what it expects gets a better website, faster, and with fewer surprises.

Work through this checklist before you hire anyone. You do not need every answer perfect, but you should have an answer for each point.

1. Know what the website must do for your business

Start with the job, not the design. A website can do many things, but it cannot do all of them equally well. Pick the main job first.

Ask yourself:

• Should the website bring in enquiries, such as calls, WhatsApp messages, or form submissions?
• Should it sell products or take bookings directly?
• Should it explain your services and build trust, so customers choose you over a competitor?
• Should it support existing customers, for example with information, downloads, or account access?

Write the main job down in one sentence. For example: "Our website should help event planners in Lagos enquire about our hall and check availability." That single sentence guides every later decision, from the homepage layout to the contact options.

2. Gather your content before work starts

Content is the number one cause of website delays. Developers often wait weeks for text, photos, and logos that the business owner meant to send "soon."

Before hiring, gather:

• Your business name, tagline, and a short description of what you do.
• A list of your services or products, with a plain description of each one.
• Your phone number, WhatsApp number, email address, and physical address if you have one.
• Your opening hours and the areas you serve.
• Your logo in a clear, high-quality file, plus your brand colours if you have them.
• Real photos of your premises, your team, and your work. Real photos build far more trust than stock images, especially for hotels, restaurants, salons, and schools.

You do not need to write perfect copy yourself — a good developer or writer can help shape it — but you must provide the facts, because only you know your business. If you are unsure how to present your services, our guide on how to brief a web designer walks through the briefing side in more detail.

3. Decide on a realistic budget and timeline

Be honest about both. A website is not a one-time purchase like a signboard. It needs hosting, a domain name, and occasional updates, and those costs continue after launch.

When discussing budget, ask what is included and what is not. A complete quote should cover, at minimum:

• Design and development of the agreed pages and features.
• Mobile-friendly layout, so the site works well on phones.
• Basic search engine setup, such as page titles and descriptions.
• A contact method that works, such as a form, a WhatsApp button, or both.
• Handover, so you know how to update basic content or who to call when something breaks.

Ask about ongoing costs separately: domain renewal, hosting, maintenance, and any future changes. A quote that looks cheap but leaves out hosting, content, or support can become expensive later.

On timeline, agree on milestones, not just a final date: content delivered, a first draft shown, and a launch date after your feedback. A project with no milestones can drift.

4. Check the developer's previous work properly

Do not judge a developer only by their own website or their social media posts. Ask to see websites they have actually built, then visit those sites yourself, on your phone.

When you look at their work, check:

• Do the sites load well on a phone, or do they look broken on a small screen?
• Is it easy to understand what each business does within seconds?
• Is it easy to find a phone number or enquiry button?
• Do the sites look different from each other, or like the same template with a new logo?

If possible, ask for a reference: a past client you can call briefly. One honest conversation tells you more than a long portfolio page.

Also check how the developer communicates. A developer who asks good questions about your business before quoting is usually safer than one who quotes instantly without understanding your needs.

5. Agree on ownership before you pay

This point is often skipped, and it causes serious problems later. Before work starts, agree in writing on who owns what.

Make sure you understand:

• Who owns the domain name, and is it registered in your name or your business name?
• Who controls the hosting account, and can you move the site elsewhere if needed?
• Who owns the website content and design once you have paid in full?
• Will you receive login details for your website, and will someone show you how to make basic updates?
• What happens if you part ways with the developer? Can another developer take over the site?

A professional developer will discuss these points openly. If a developer insists on keeping your domain or site locked to them, treat that as a warning sign.

6. Plan for after launch

A website launch is not the finish line. It is the starting point. Before hiring, ask how the site will be looked after.

Your plan should cover:

• Who updates the site when your services, prices, or opening hours change?
• Who handles small fixes, such as a broken link or a form that stops working?
• How often will the site be backed up, and who is responsible for that?
• How will you know if the site is working, for example through enquiry notifications or simple traffic reports?

You do not need a large maintenance contract from day one, but you do need a clear answer to "who do I call when something breaks?"

7. Questions to ask in your first meeting

Take this list to your first conversation with any developer:

1. What information do you need from me before you start?
2. What exactly is included in your quote, and what costs extra?
3. How long will the project take, and what are the milestones?
4. Will the site work well on phones, and can I test it before launch?
5. Who owns the domain, hosting, and website after payment?
6. How will I update the site, and what support do you offer after launch?
7. Can I see similar websites you have built, and speak to a past client?

If a developer cannot answer these clearly, or rushes you to pay before discussing them, slow down. A good project starts with a good conversation.

Frequently asked questions

How much should a business website cost in Nigeria?

There is no single answer, because cost depends on the number of pages, the features you need, and whether content and design are included. Rather than chasing the cheapest quote, compare what each quote includes, who owns the site, and what support follows launch. A clear, complete quote is worth more than a vague, cheap one.

Should I hire a freelancer or an agency?

Both can work. A freelancer may suit a simple website with a clear brief. An agency may suit a larger project that needs design, content, and marketing together. Judge by their past work, their communication, and whether they understand your business, not by their size alone.

Do I need to write all the website content myself?

No, but you must provide the facts: your services, your prices or pricing approach, your contact details, and your photos. A developer or writer can shape that material into good website copy, but they cannot invent your business for you.

What if I already have a domain name or an old website?

Tell the developer at the start. An existing domain can usually be connected to a new site, and useful content from an old site can be reused. Sorting this out early avoids delays and duplicate costs later.

The bottom line

Hiring a web developer goes well when you arrive prepared. Know what the website must do, gather your content, agree on budget, timeline, and ownership, and plan for life after launch.

Do that work before you hire, and you will save yourself months of frustration, and give your developer the best possible chance to build a website that actually grows your business.

If you would like help thinking through your own project, Explore our services to see how we work with businesses, or contact us and tell us what your website needs to do for you.