Let me paint a picture you might recognise. You asked around — maybe on Twitter (X), maybe in a WhatsApp group — for a web developer recommendation. You got twelve different names. Some charge ₦80,000, others charge ₦1,500,000. All of them claim to be "the best." How do you decide?
After building over 50 websites for Nigerian businesses and seeing clients come to us after being burned by other developers, we've compiled this practical checklist. Print it out if you have to.
The 8-Point Checklist
Check for CAC Registration
Must CheckThis might sound basic, but you'd be surprised how many 'web development companies' in Nigeria aren't registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission. CAC registration means accountability. If something goes wrong, there's a legal entity you can hold responsible.
💡 Insider tip: Ask for their RC number. A legitimate company will share it proudly. Etest Tech Hub is fully CAC-registered — we operate as a legitimate business because we intend to be around for the long term.
Review Their Portfolio — And Actually Visit the Sites
Must CheckAnyone can put screenshots on their website. The real test is whether those sites are live, functional, and performing. Click through their portfolio. Open the sites on your phone. Check the loading speed. Look for broken links.
💡 Insider tip: We maintain a live portfolio including ElitePlanners.ng, JaraGram.com, and EmailSpark.net — all sites you can visit right now and test yourself.
Ask About SEO Knowledge
Must CheckA gorgeous website that nobody can find on Google is an expensive digital gravestone. Your developer should understand basic SEO: proper heading structure, meta descriptions, image optimization, clean URLs, and mobile-first indexing.
💡 Insider tip: Ask them: 'Can you show me a client whose site ranks on Google?' If they can't, they're designers, not developers who understand business growth. We've helped ElitePlanners.ng reach 1,000+ monthly impressions on Google Search Console within months.
Verify They Build Custom — Not Just Templates
ImportantThere's nothing inherently wrong with templates, but there's a massive difference between a ₦50,000 template job and a custom-built site. Templates limit your branding, your functionality, and your ability to scale.
💡 Insider tip: Ask to see the code quality. A professional developer writes clean, organized code that another developer can pick up and work with. If they're secretive about their code, that's a red flag.
Check Their Response Time and Communication
Must CheckSend them a WhatsApp message or email. How long do they take to respond? If they take 3 days to reply before they have your money, imagine what happens after. Communication is the #1 complaint clients have about developers in Nigeria.
💡 Insider tip: At Etest Tech Hub, we have a dedicated WhatsApp line and respond within hours, not days. We also provide regular project updates with screenshots so you always know where your project stands.
Ask About Post-Launch Support
Must CheckThe relationship shouldn't end at launch. Websites need maintenance — security updates, content changes, performance monitoring. Your developer should offer a clear support plan.
💡 Insider tip: Our packages include 1–6 months of free post-launch support depending on the project tier. After that, we offer affordable maintenance plans starting from ₦20,000/month.
Understand Their Tech Stack
ImportantYou don't need to be a coder, but understanding what technology your website is built on matters. WordPress? React? Laravel? Each has pros and cons depending on your needs.
💡 Insider tip: We work with React, Node.js, Python, and WordPress — choosing the right technology for each project. For a simple business site, WordPress might be perfect. For a complex platform, React gives you the performance and flexibility you need.
Look for Multi-Lingual or Localized Capabilities
BonusNigeria has over 250 ethnic groups and multiple languages. If your target audience includes Yoruba, Igbo, or Hausa speakers, having a developer who understands localization is a major advantage.
💡 Insider tip: We've built localized content experiences and understand the technical requirements for multi-lingual websites — from RTL text support to character encoding for Nigerian languages.
Red Flags: Run If You See These
These are warning signs that you're about to waste money:
Freelancer vs Agency vs Tech Hub: Which Is Right for You?
| Factor | Freelancer | Large Agency | Tech Hub (Us) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Low | High | Mid-range |
| Reliability | Variable | Generally high | High |
| Communication | Direct but limited | Through account manager | Direct + dedicated |
| Post-launch support | Often none | Expensive retainers | Included in packages |
| Skill range | Specialized | Full-service | Full-service |
Why Businesses Choose Etest Tech Hub
We're not going to pretend we're the only option. But here's what sets us apart:
Ready to Work With a Developer You Can Trust?
We'll walk you through our process, show you relevant work from our portfolio, and give you an honest quote — all before you commit to anything.