Quick answer: Before hiring a web developer in Kenya, make sure you get a written scope and price, milestone-based payments, a preview of the work in progress, real access to your site at handover, a post-launch plan, and verifiable examples of past work. Their absence is the red flag.
Treat This Hiring Decision Like the Business Decision It Is
Search "web developer Nairobi" and you will find a flood of agencies, freelancers, and WhatsApp contacts, most with similar-looking portfolios and identical promises: fast, modern, affordable. The real differences only show up weeks into the project, which is why it pays to know the warning signs before you sign anything.
1. No Written Contract or Scope
If everything is agreed over WhatsApp voice notes with nothing in writing, you have no real recourse if the project changes shape halfway through. A short written agreement covering scope, timeline, and payment terms should be standard, not a special request.
2. Vague, Unbroken-Down Pricing
"We'll figure out the cost as we go" is not a quote. A serious developer can tell you what is included in a price and what isn't (hosting, domain, revisions, support) before you commit.
3. Pressure to Pay 100% Upfront
A deposit followed by milestone payments (for example deposit, midpoint, and final on delivery) is standard practice and protects both sides. Full payment demanded before any work is visible is a real risk signal.
4. No Staging Link or Preview During the Build
You should be able to see your website taking shape before launch day, not just be told to trust the process. If a developer won't share progress, ask why.
5. They Won't Hand Over Real Access
After final payment you should receive real access to your hosting, domain, and admin logins, not just a live link you don't control. If source code is not included, that should be stated clearly and agreed in writing. If a developer is vague about who controls the site after launch, push on it directly.
6. No Plan for What Happens After Launch
A website needs security updates, monitoring, and occasional content changes. Ask explicitly: "What does working with you look like six months after launch?" A confident, specific answer tells you more than any portfolio will.
7. Can't Show Real, Verifiable Work
A portfolio of screenshots proves little. Ask for a live site you can visit, a live demo, or a client you can speak to. Be wary of a developer who can provide none of these.
What We Do Differently
Published starting prices, written quotes, milestone-based payments, hosting access handed over at completion, and support and maintenance options after launch. Browse our client work, see our services and pricing, or start a conversation to see how it works in practice.
