A 10-point checklist for hiring a website developer in Nigeria: live work, admin access, SEO, ownership, pricing, support and the red flags to avoid.
Quick answer: Before hiring a website developer in Nigeria, check live websites they built, results a client would confirm, whether you get an admin dashboard, whether SEO continues after launch, who owns the domain and code, and exactly what the price includes. No live work, vague pricing and pressure to pay everything upfront are the biggest red flags.
| # | Check | Question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Live past work | Can I open three websites you built, on my phone? |
| 2 | Verifiable results | Which client can I contact about their results? |
| 3 | Admin dashboard | Will I be able to update text, prices and photos myself? Can you show me? |
| 4 | SEO | How will my pages be found on Google, and what happens after launch? |
| 5 | Mobile and speed | How do you test on phones and mobile data? |
| 6 | Ownership | Whose name is the domain in, and can I move the site later? |
| 7 | Price breakdown | What exactly is included: pages, hosting, domain, dashboard, SEO? |
| 8 | Timeline | When will it be ready, and what do you need from me? |
| 9 | Support | What happens if something breaks after launch? |
| 10 | Communication | Who will I talk to during the project, and how? |
A mockup shows what a site could look like. A live website shows whether the developer can deliver, and how their work holds up months later. Open their sites on your phone and check speed, layout and whether the forms work.
"Increased sales by 200%" means little without a client you can contact. A named client, a result you can check on Google, or a case study with real screenshots tells you far more.
Some developers hand over a website you cannot change yourself, so every small edit means another invoice. Ask to see the dashboard before you commit.
A beautiful website nobody finds is not doing its job. Ask how pages are planned around searches, whether Search Console is set up, and what SEO work happens after launch.
How much should I expect to pay a website developer in Nigeria?
Usually from around ₦250,000 for a professionally built business website and ₦400,000 for an online store, more for custom features.
Is it better to hire a freelancer or an agency?
Either can do good work. What matters more is live past work, admin access, SEO and support after launch.
Should I choose the cheapest quote?
Not on price alone. The cheapest option often leaves out SEO, mobile testing or support, which you pay for later.
What is the biggest mistake when hiring a developer?
Not asking about admin access, SEO and ownership before paying.
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Tell us what you need and we will send a written scope and fixed price before any work starts. Business websites from ₦250,000 and ecommerce stores from ₦400,000.