How to choose a web designer in Harare

Six honest questions to ask any Harare web designer before you sign — so you end up with a website that ranks, sells and lasts.

Choosing the right web designer in Harare is one of the most important business decisions you will make this year. The right partner will build you a website that brings in leads for years. The wrong one will leave you with a slow, ugly site you cannot edit and have to throw away in twelve months.

Use these six questions in your first meeting. The answers will tell you very quickly whether the person across the table is a real professional or just someone with Photoshop.

1. Can I see your last five live websites?

Anyone can show pretty pictures. What matters is real, live websites you can click on, scroll through and test on your phone. Ask for the URLs. Open them on a slow 3G connection. Check if the design still feels modern and the pages load in under three seconds. If a designer cannot show you five recent live sites, that is a red flag.

2. How do you handle SEO?

A beautiful website that does not show up on Google is a billboard in the desert. A serious web designer will talk about page speed, mobile-first design, clean code, meta titles, schema and content structure. If they say SEO is something you can add later, walk away. SEO has to be baked in from the first wireframe.

3. Who hosts the site, and who owns the domain?

You should always own your own domain name and have full admin access to your hosting account. Some Harare designers register the domain in their own name as a way of keeping you locked in. Make sure your contract clearly states that you own the domain, the design files and the website itself.

4. What is included in the price?

Get a written list of what is included. The list should cover design, development, on-page SEO, mobile responsiveness, contact forms, basic training, a handover session, and a defined number of revisions. Anything that is not on the list will be charged extra. Clarity here saves arguments later.

5. How long will it take?

A standard small business website should take three to six weeks. A larger corporate or ecommerce build can take eight to twelve. Be wary of anyone who promises a full custom site in seven days. Speed at that pace usually means a template with your logo dropped on top.

6. What support do I get after launch?

Websites need care. You will want updates, security patches, content tweaks and the occasional new page. Ask what support is included after launch and what a monthly care plan costs. A good agency in Harare will offer at least 30 days of free support and an affordable retainer after that.

A final tip

Trust your gut. The right designer will listen more than they talk, ask about your customers, and explain things in plain English. If you feel rushed, confused or pressured in the first meeting, you will feel the same way for the next twelve months. Take your time and pick the partner who feels like a long-term ally.

Need help putting this into action? Get a free quote from our Harare team or browse all our services.