Top 7 Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Web Designer in Nigeria 

Discover the 7 critical mistakes to avoid when hiring a web designer in Nigeria. Learn how explainer videos can boost engagement, reduce bounce rates, and improve your SEO rankings.

In Nigeria today, having a strong online presence is no longer a luxury – it’s a necessity. Whether you’re running a small business, a startup, or an NGO, your website is often the first impression people get about you. And first impressions are important, as we are all aware.
The problem is that employing a web designer in Nigeria can either lead your company to success or down a costly and stressful route.

When selecting a web designer in Nigeria, a lot of business owners make basic blunders. These errors frequently result in lost opportunities, money, and time. This essay explains why explainer films can help you increase engagement, lower bounce rates, and enhance your search rankings. It also breaks down the top 7 mistakes to avoid when hiring a web designer in Nigeria.

Let’s dive in.

7 Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Web Designer in Nigeria 

Mistake 1: Hiring Based on Cheap Price Alone

We get it — everyone wants to save money. But when it comes to hiring a web designer in Nigeria, going for the cheapest option can backfire badly.

Example: A business owner in Abuja hired a designer for just ₦15,000. The result? A broken homepage, pixelated images, and a website that wouldn’t open on phones. He later had to pay double to rebuild the site.

Cheap doesn’t always mean good. In fact, many cheap designers cut corners. They might use free templates, ignore SEO, or produce a website that looks nothing like what you had in mind.

Illustration: Imagine buying a second-hand generator to power your office — cheap, yes, but unreliable. When it breaks, you spend more fixing or replacing it. Web design follows the same reasoning.

When hiring a web designer in Nigeria, look beyond the price. Ask:

• Do they understand your brand?
• Can they create a custom experience for your audience?
• Will they help you achieve your business goals?

Rather than being an expense, a well-designed website is an investment. Don’t lose long-term success chasing short-term savings.

Mistake 2: Not Checking Past Work or Reviews

Would you hire a tailor without seeing samples of their clothes? Probably not. The same goes when hiring a web designer in Nigeria.

Example: Tola hired someone off social media without seeing any past work. The site took 8 weeks and looked nothing like she imagined — colours clashed, fonts were unreadable, and the contact form didn’t work.

Before you sign any deal, ask to see their portfolio. Real examples of past projects show you:

• Their design style
• How user-friendly their websites are
• If they can deliver what you need

Also, check reviews or testimonials. If their past clients had issues with deadlines, quality, or support, chances are you will too.

Illustration: A good portfolio is like a food sample in the market — it gives you a taste before you commit.

Don’t just believe their words. Let their past work speak for them.

Mistake 3: Ignoring Mobile Responsiveness

Did you know that over 70% of internet users in Nigeria browse with their phones? If your website doesn’t look good on mobile, you’re turning away customers.

Example: A restaurant in Port Harcourt launched a website that only worked well on laptops. Mobile users couldn’t view the menu or call the restaurant — and online orders dropped.

Some web designers in Nigeria still build desktop-only websites. This is a huge mistake.

When hiring a web designer in Nigeria, make sure they can design a mobile-responsive site — one that looks great and works well on all devices (phones, tablets, laptops).

Test their past sites on your own phone. If buttons are hard to click or texts are too small, it’s a red flag.

Illustration: Think of your website like a shop — if the doors only open for tall people (desktop users), you’ll miss customers of all sizes (mobile users).

A responsive site boosts user experience and keeps visitors longer — which also reduces bounce rates and improves your ranking on Google.

Mistake 4: No Clear Timelines or Contracts

You’ve paid a designer and then waited… and waited… and nothing. This occurs more frequently than it would to.

Example: Emeka from Lagos agreed on a handshake deal. Three months later, his site was still incomplete, and the designer kept giving excuses.

One big mistake people make when hiring a web designer in Nigeria is not having a contract with timelines.

Without a contract, you’re left hoping and guessing. A proper contract should include:

• The scope of work
• Delivery dates
• Payment terms
• What happens if revisions are needed

Illustration: A contract is like a building plan — without it, everyone guesses, and you risk delays, confusion, or disaster.

Clear expectations protect both you and the designer. You’ll save yourself stress, arguments, and delays.

Mistake 5: Choosing Someone Without SEO Knowledge

A beautiful website is nice — but what’s the point if nobody sees it?

Example: Ada got a lovely fashion website, but it wasn’t ranking on Google. No keyword research, no meta descriptions, and no alt text on images. She had to hire an SEO expert to fix it.

This is why SEO (Search Engine Optimization) matters. A web designer without SEO knowledge is like a chef who forgets to add salt.

When hiring a web designer in Nigeria, ask if they:

• Know how to structure pages for search engines
• Use proper title tags and meta descriptions
• Optimize images and site speed

Illustration: SEO is what helps Google “see” your website. Without it, it’s like printing flyers and hiding them under your bed.

Explainer videos can also support SEO. How?

• They keep people longer on your site (which search engines love)
• They increase user engagement
• They make your content more attractive and easy to understand

If you want your website to rank well and attract organic traffic, your designer must understand how SEO works.

Mistake 6: Poor Communication or Support

Imagine waiting three days just to get a reply to a simple question. Annoying, right?

Example: Blessing wanted to change her homepage banner. She emailed her designer on Monday, called on Tuesday, and finally got a reply the next week.

Good communication is key when hiring a web designer in Nigeria. If they delay replies, give unclear answers, or disappear for days, you’ll struggle to complete your project.

Support doesn’t end after the website is delivered. What if you need changes later? Or something goes wrong?

Ask about post-launch support. Do they offer training on how to manage the site? Are they available for future fixes or updates?

Illustration: Communication is like fuel in a car — without it, even the best engine won’t move.

A great designer is one who listens, responds on time, and walks with you through the journey.

Mistake 7: No Understanding of Your Brand Goals

Your website isn’t just a decoration — it’s a tool to achieve your business goals. Whether that’s getting sales, attracting leads, or building trust.

Example: Grace runs a school. Her designer created a corporate-looking site with dark colours and tech jargon — completely off-brand. Parents visiting the site got confused.

One major mistake people make when hiring a web designer in Nigeria is choosing someone who doesn’t take time to understand their brand.

Before starting, your designer should ask about:

• Your target audience
• Your services or products
• Your business goals
• The message you want your brand to communicate

Illustration: Building a site without brand goals is like cooking jollof rice without pepper, tomatoes, or seasoning — the base is there, but it lacks flavour and direction.

If they rush into design without asking these, be careful.

A website built without your brand goals in mind is like wearing clothes that don’t fit. It won’t represent you well.

Bonus Insight: How Explainer Videos Boost Your Website Performance

Including explainer videos on your website is a powerful move — especially when you’re trying to engage your audience.

Here’s how explainer videos help:

1. Boost Engagement

People are more likely to watch a short, well-made video than read long paragraphs. Visitors stay on your page longer when you have videos.

2. Reduce Bounce Rate

When your site has videos, visitors stay longer to watch. This reduces the bounce rate — the percentage of visitors who leave after viewing one page.

3. Improve SEO Rankings

Search engines notice when people spend more time on your website. Explainer videos help increase that time, which can improve your ranking.

When hiring a web designer in Nigeria, ask if they can integrate explainer videos on key pages like your homepage, service pages, and landing pages.

At Webiliti Digital Agency, we don’t just build websites — we create a full experience that works. This includes web design, explainer video production, SEO optimization, and support tailored for Nigerian businesses.

ALSO READ: 30 Top Tips for Finding Affordable Web Design Services

Conclusion: Choose Right with Clear Expectations

Hiring a web designer in Nigeria doesn’t have to be a gamble. By avoiding these 7 common mistakes, you can save time, money, and frustration — and actually get the website your business deserves.

To recap:

• Don’t hire based on price alone
• Always check past work and reviews
• Make sure your site is mobile-friendly
• Use contracts with clear timelines
• Choose a designer with SEO knowledge
• Ensure there’s good communication and support
• Work with someone who understands your brand goals

And don’t forget the power of explainer videos — they’re a game changer for modern websites.

Looking for a trusted web designer in Nigeria?

👉 Contact Webiliti Digital Agency — the Digital Agency you can trust.

We’ll build you a professional website, integrate powerful explainer videos, and make sure your site ranks high on Google.

Visit www.webiliti.com.ng or WhatsApp us at 07043699860.

Let’s bring your business vision to life!

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