1. Look at real, live websites, not just screenshots
Anyone can show a mockup. A credible developer can point you to websites that are live today, that load quickly on a phone, and that belong to businesses like yours. Open them on your own phone and click around.
Gregory Shikutwa’s portfolio includes live work such as Kishkids Baby Shop (an online store with M-Pesa checkout), Brament Care (home healthcare), Billy Furniture and Furniture Center (e-commerce), Quantum Executive Services (corporate), SUHAD (an NGO in Somalia) and Frostwood CRM (a business management platform).
2. Insist on a fast, mobile-first website
Most Kenyans browse on their phones, often on mobile data. A website that is slow or awkward on a phone loses customers and ranks lower on Google. Ask how the developer optimises images, code and hosting for speed, and test their past sites on your phone.
3. Make sure SEO is built in from day one
A beautiful website that nobody finds is wasted money. The right developer sets up proper page titles and descriptions, a sitemap, structured data, Google Search Console and a clean page structure as part of the build, not as an expensive extra later.
4. Confirm M-Pesa and WhatsApp integration
For Kenyan businesses, letting customers pay with M-Pesa and reach you on WhatsApp directly from the website makes a measurable difference. Ask whether the developer has integrated M-Pesa STK Push, Paybill or Till payments through Safaricom’s Daraja API before.
5. Expect transparent, itemised pricing
A professional developer tells you upfront what is included: number of pages, revisions, features, and months of support. Be wary of quotes that are vague or that change once work starts.
For reference, Gregory Shikutwa publishes his packages: Starter at KES 34,999, Business at KES 50,000, Premium at KES 84,999, and custom online stores or systems from KES 120,000.
6. Clarify ownership, hosting and support after launch
You should own your domain, your content and your website. Ask who registers the domain, where it will be hosted, whether you can update content yourself, and what support or maintenance is included after the site goes live.
Questions to ask before you hire a web developer
Use these questions on your first call. Clear, confident answers are a good sign.
- Can you show me live websites you built for businesses like mine?
- What exactly is included in your quote, and what costs extra?
- Will the website be mobile-first, fast and set up for Google?
- Can you integrate M-Pesa payments and WhatsApp?
- Will I own the domain, website and content?
- Can I update the website myself after launch?
- What happens if something breaks after the site is live?
- What is the timeline, and how will we communicate?
Red flags to avoid
- No live portfolio, or only templates and mockups.
- Prices that are unclear or far below market with no explanation.
- The developer registers your domain in their own name.
- No mention of SEO, speed or mobile design.
- No written scope or timeline.
- Disappears after launch with no support plan.
Why businesses in Nairobi choose Gregory Shikutwa
Gregory Shikutwa is a web developer, designer and digital marketer based in Nairobi, Kenya, and co-founder of Elite Designs Kenya. Over 8+ years he has delivered 120+ projects, from business websites and WordPress or WooCommerce online stores to custom platforms such as a multi-campus college management system and Frostwood CRM.
He leads a team covering design, development and marketing, so clients get one partner for their website, brand and Google visibility. Every site is built mobile-first and SEO-ready, with M-Pesa and WhatsApp integration available, and every project starts with a free consultation and an itemised quotation.