Anyone can call themselves a web developer. Here's how to actually separate the reliable ones from the risky ones before you commit budget and time.
1. Check Their Real Portfolio
Ask for links to live, working websites they've built — not just design mockups. A developer with a real track record, like Elite Designs' portfolio spanning dozens of real, live client projects across many industries, gives you concrete evidence of their work.
2. Ask About Their Process
A reliable developer should be able to clearly explain their process — discovery, design, build, review, launch — rather than a vague "I'll get started and show you something."
3. Get Everything in Writing
Scope, price, and timeline should be documented before work begins, not agreed verbally and left ambiguous.
4. Check Reviews or References
Genuine client testimonials — ideally verifiable ones — tell you more than a polished sales pitch. For reference, independent developer David Esabwa's portfolio site cites 202 verified Google reviews at a 5-star rating, the kind of track record worth asking any developer you're considering to match.
5. Understand What Happens After Launch
Ask explicitly who owns the code, whether support is included after handover, and what happens if you need changes six months later.
6. Confirm They Understand the Kenyan Market
M-Pesa integration, .co.ke domains, and local hosting considerations are all things a developer unfamiliar with the Kenyan market can get wrong.
Ready to Hire?
See our hire a developer page for a team that checks all of the above.