How to Choose a Web Developer in Busia: 7 Questions to Ask Before You Pay

Most business owners in Busia have heard at least one story: someone paid a deposit, the developer went quiet, and the website never appeared, or it appeared broken and nobody could fix it. You do not need to understand code to avoid this. You only need to ask the right questions.

1. Can I see websites you have built, and can I open them?

Ask for live links, not screenshots. Open them on your phone. Do they load quickly? Do they look right on a small screen? Can you tell who the client was? A developer with real work will happily share it, and will often explain what the client needed and how the site solved it.

2. Who owns the domain, the hosting and the files?

Your domain name (for example yourbusiness.co.ke) should be registered in your name, not the developer's. You should also receive your site files and logins at the end of the project. If a developer keeps control of these, you cannot move to someone else without starting again.

3. Is the price fixed and written down?

A good quote lists what you are getting, how long it will take, what it costs and when payments are due. Be careful with a vague 'we will see as we go' arrangement. Paying in milestones, for example part upfront, part midway and the rest on completion, protects both sides.

4. Will it work well on a phone?

Most people in Kenya browse on their phones, often on mobile data. Ask how the developer tests on phones and what they do to keep pages light. A site that only looks good on a laptop is half a website.

5. Can it take the payments and bookings I need?

If you want to sell online or take bookings, ask specifically about M-Pesa and card payments, and about how you will see orders and payments afterwards. A developer who has built this before will answer clearly.

6. What happens after the site goes live?

Websites need small fixes and updates. Ask whether support is included and for how long, who you call when something breaks, and what ongoing maintenance costs. 'No support after launch' is a warning sign.

7. Can we meet, or at least talk easily?

Working with someone nearby has real advantages: you can meet, show them your business and sort misunderstandings quickly. Whether local or remote, check that they reply promptly and explain things in plain language. How they communicate during the quote is how they will communicate during the project.

Red flags to watch for

• A price far below everyone else's, with no explanation of what is cut
• Pressure to pay the full amount upfront
• No examples of real, live work
• Refusing to put the scope and price in writing
• Registering your domain or hosting in their own name

I am a web developer based in Busia, and I am happy to answer all seven of these questions for my own work. If you would like a clear, written quote for a website or system for your business, get in touch.