Choosing a web designer in Kenya is hard. Everyone promises the same thing. Prices range from KES 5,000 to 250,000+. And the person who seems most confident on WhatsApp might be the one who disappears after payment. This framework gives you a structured way to evaluate any designer — including us. It takes 10 minutes and could save you 50,000 shillings.
Step 1: Define your budget (before you talk to anyone)
The biggest mistake is asking "how much does a website cost?" before knowing what you need. A 1-page landing site and a 20-page e-commerce store are different products. Here's how to think about budget:
| Your situation | Budget range | What you should expect |
|---|---|---|
| Just starting, testing an idea | KES 5,000–15,000 | DIY on Wix/WordPress, or a very basic freelancer site. Your time is the cost. |
| Established business, need credibility | KES 25,000–50,000 | Professional custom design, 5-10 pages, M-Pesa, SEO setup. The sweet spot. |
| Selling online, need a store | KES 40,000–80,000 | E-commerce with native M-Pesa, inventory, order management. |
| Complex needs, custom app | KES 80,000–250,000+ | Custom SaaS, ERP, multi-user systems. Agency territory. |
Rule: If a designer quotes you 50,000 for a 5-page site, they're overcharging. If they quote 5,000 for an e-commerce store, they're underdelivering. Price should match scope.
Step 2: Shortlist 3–5 designers
Don't just hire the first person who replies on WhatsApp. Here's how to build a shortlist:
- → Google search: "web design Kenya" or "web designer Nairobi" — see who ranks. If they can rank themselves, they can rank you.
- → Ask your network: "Who built your site?" Personal recommendations beat cold outreach.
- → Check Instagram/Facebook: Look for designers who post their work consistently. A designer with no portfolio is a red flag.
- → Look for specialization: A designer who builds e-commerce sites is different from one who builds business card sites. Match the specialty to your need.
Step 3: Score each designer (0–2 per criterion)
This is the core of the framework. Score each designer on 6 criteria. Be honest — this is for your benefit, not theirs.
1. Exact price in writing? (0 = vague, 1 = range, 2 = fixed line-item)
0 = "it depends on your requirements." 1 = "25k–50k." 2 = "KES 28,999 — here's exactly what's included." A fixed price means they've done this before. A range means they'll surprise you later. Our score: 2. Fixed prices, exact deliverables, no hidden costs.
2. Live date, not a range? (0 = "2-4 weeks", 1 = "about a week", 2 = specific date)
0 = "2–4 weeks." 1 = "about a week." 2 = "5 days for Starter, 1 week for Business, 2 weeks for Master — with a written approval gate before launch." A date means they control their process. Our score: 2. We commit to dates in writing.
3. M-Pesa native or plugin? (0 = "we'll add it later", 1 = plugin, 2 = native Daraja)
0 = "we'll add M-Pesa later" or "use Paystack." 1 = WooCommerce plugin. 2 = native Daraja API wiring (Till + Paybill) you can see in your own Safaricom portal. Ask to screen-share a test KES 10 payment. Our score: 2. Native Daraja on every e-commerce build.
4. Speed on cheap phone data? (0 = "fast", no number, 1 = 70-89 PageSpeed, 2 = 90+ mobile)
0 = "fast" with no number. 1 = 70–89 PageSpeed. 2 = 90+ on pagespeed.web.dev mobile. Most Kenyans browse on 3G/4G. A site that loads in 5 seconds loses 53% of mobile visitors. Our score: 2. We target 90+ on mobile.
5. Who owns what? (0 = they own everything, 1 = you own domain, 2 = you own everything)
0 = "we host it for you" (they own your site). 1 = "you own the domain." 2 = your domain + content + files + full license + M-Pesa credentials in your name. Read the terms before paying. Our score: 2. You own everything from day one. See our Terms.
6. What happens after launch? (0 = "good luck", 1 = "we're available", 2 = care plan with SLA)
0 = "good luck." 1 = "we're available if you need us." 2 = monthly care plan listed with hosting/security/backups/support and a reply-time SLA. A site without care rots. Our score: 2. Orbit Care: 4,999–9,999/mo, cancel anytime. Or DIY with our care guide.
Scoring: 10–12 = hire. 7–9 = ask more questions. Below 7 = walk away.
Red flags: won't put price/date in writing, no PageSpeed number, "lifetime hosting free" (nobody gives free hosting forever), won't let you own domain/files, no post-launch support.
Step 4: The first call — 5 questions that reveal everything
Once you've scored them, have a call. These 5 questions will tell you everything:
- 1. "Can you send me 3 live sites you built so I can test them on my phone?" — Tests honesty and speed.
- 2. "What happens if I want to leave you after 6 months?" — Tests ownership and lock-in.
- 3. "Do you use native M-Pesa or a plugin? Can I see a test payment?" — Tests technical depth.
- 4. "What's the exact price and what's included? Can I see it in writing?" — Tests transparency.
- 5. "What happens after launch? What does support look like?" — Tests long-term thinking.
Step 5: Make the decision
Add up the scores. If one designer is clearly ahead, hire them. If two are tied, go with the one who answered your questions most directly. If all score below 7, keep looking — the right designer is out there.
And if you want a second opinion on any quote — including ours — send it on WhatsApp. We'll score it honestly, even if the answer is "they're fine, hire them."
Quick answers
How do I know if a web designer is any good?
Ask for 3 live sites they built. Test each on your phone — load speed, mobile layout, M-Pesa checkout. If they can't show you live work, they haven't done the work.
Should I hire a freelancer or an agency?
For a standard business site (1-10 pages), a professional freelancer or small studio is the sweet spot. Agencies make sense for 20+ pages, brand systems, or complex integrations. For most Kenyan SMEs, a studio like Orbit is the right fit.
What questions should I ask before hiring a web designer?
Five: (1) What's the exact price? (2) What's the live date? (3) Can I see a live M-Pesa payment? (4) Who owns the domain and files? (5) What happens after launch? If they dodge any of these, walk away.
How long should a website take to build?
A 5-page business site: 5-7 days. A 10-page site: 1-2 weeks. An e-commerce store: 2-3 weeks. If someone promises faster, they're cutting corners. If someone takes longer, they're overcomplicating it.
What's the biggest red flag when hiring a web designer?
No fixed price. "It depends on your requirements" means "we haven't done this before and we'll charge you whatever we feel like." A professional knows what a 5-page site costs and will tell you.
Want us to score your current quote?
Send any competitor quote — we'll score both honestly, even if the answer is "they're fine, hire them."
WhatsApp the quote