Hiring someone you cannot meet in person needs a little more care. The same checks protect anyone, whether you are in Birmingham or Bulawayo.
Verify the business
- A physical address you can look up, and a working phone number
- A website of their own that is clear, current and loads well
- Live websites they built, which you can open and test on your phone
- A real person who answers your questions on a call
Ask for a written quotation
It should list what is included (pages, features, SEO setup, copywriting, training), what is not, the price, the timeline and the payment schedule. Compare quotes line by line. Our guide to website design costs in Zimbabwe explains what to look for.
Agree milestones and stage payments
A typical structure is a deposit to start, a payment when you approve the design and a final payment at launch. Avoid paying everything in advance, and avoid vague “full payment now” offers.
Own your accounts
- The domain should be registered in your name or your company’s name
- You should receive hosting and WordPress admin logins at handover
- Ask what happens at renewal and who pays
Warning signs
- Pressure to pay quickly or a “special price today”
- No written scope or contract
- Examples of work that you cannot open or that belong to other businesses
- Refusal to give you access to your own domain or hosting
- Guarantees of Google page one, which no honest provider can give
Keep communication simple
Agree where updates will be posted, how quickly each side replies and who approves what. Keep decisions in writing, even if you discuss them on a call.
Read how we run projects for Zimbabweans abroad, or request an estimate and quote.