A Website for Zimbabweans in the Diaspora: What to Plan Before You Start

By JomeTech Web Design · Published · 2 min read

In short: A diaspora website project succeeds when you decide the goal first, put the scope and price in writing, agree milestones, and keep ownership of your domain and content. Distance is not the problem. Vague agreements are.

Many Zimbabweans abroad build something at home: a family shop, a rental property, a farm, a church site, a consultancy. Others run a business in the UK, South Africa, the USA, Canada, Australia or Botswana and want a team in Harare to build it. Both work well, as long as you plan the project properly.

1. Decide who the website is for

Write one sentence: “This website helps [who] to [do what].” A site for customers in Harare looks and reads differently from a site for buyers overseas. If you have two audiences, decide which comes first.

2. Decide who will make decisions

Remote projects stall when feedback comes from five relatives. Choose one person to approve designs and text, and tell your designer who it is.

3. Prepare your content

  • Your logo and brand colours, if you have them
  • A list of services or products, with prices if you want them shown
  • Photographs you own or have permission to use
  • Contact details: a Zimbabwean number, WhatsApp and an email address
  • Text about your business, even rough notes. See our guide on what to prepare before building a website

4. Agree the process in writing

A good agreement states what will be built, the price, the timeline, the milestones and what happens if the scope changes. Our guide to hiring a web designer in Zimbabwe from abroad covers the checklist in detail.

5. Plan for time zones

Harare is on Central Africa Time. The UK is one to two hours behind, the USA six to seven hours behind and Australia six to nine hours ahead, depending on the city and season. Agree two call windows a week and use written updates in between.

6. Think about payments early

Ask how you can pay from where you live, and in which currency. Agree staged payments tied to milestones rather than a single large payment up front. Do not assume a payment method is available. Ask, and get the answer in writing.

7. Keep ownership

Your domain, hosting account and website content should belong to you or your registered business. Ask for access details at handover and store them safely.

If the business serves customers in Zimbabwe, a Google Business Profile and local pages help. Read our Google Business Profile checklist.

Ready to begin? See our page for Zimbabweans abroad or use the estimate and quote form, and select your country.

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a website project in Zimbabwe from abroad?

Yes. With a written scope, milestones and regular updates, a website project works well remotely. Calls, WhatsApp and screen sharing replace office visits.

Should the domain be .co.zw or .com?

If your customers are mainly in Zimbabwe, .co.zw signals a local business. If you serve people in several countries, .com can suit better. Many people register both.

Who should own the domain and hosting?

You, or your registered business. Ask for the registrant details in writing and keep the login details safe.

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