I hear the same story every month. A business owner paid a developer 60–70% upfront, received a project that never fully worked, and the developer became unreachable. Here is how to protect yourself and find a developer who will actually deliver.
The Most Important Thing: Evaluate the Portfolio
Ask to see live URLs — not screenshots, not Figma designs, not video demos. Live, working URLs you can actually use. Click through the product. Check if it loads fast. Submit a test form. Try it on mobile. A developer who cannot show you live work they have built is a developer who has not built much.
If a developer shows you 'projects' that are only Figma mockups or static screenshots and claims they 'built' them — that is a designer presenting work, not a developer. Insist on live links.
Questions to Ask Before You Pay a Single Naira
- What is your exact tech stack for this project? (They should answer without hesitating)
- Can I speak to a previous client? (Legitimate developers will provide references)
- What happens if bugs are found after launch? (Should include a support window)
- Who owns the code and domain after I pay? (You should own everything)
- What does the handover look like? (Source code, database backup, admin credentials)
- What is your payment milestone structure? (Never pay 100% upfront)
Payment Structure That Protects You
Never pay more than 30–40% upfront for any project. A fair structure for most Nigerian web projects: 30–40% to start, 30% on delivery of the design/frontend, 30% on full delivery and testing. The final payment only releases when you have tested the product and it works as agreed.
Where to Find Legitimate Developers in Nigeria
- LinkedIn — search 'web developer Lagos' or 'full-stack developer Nigeria', check their post history and engagement
- Upwork — Nigerian developers with verified reviews and work history, more expensive but protected
- Direct referrals — best source; ask founders in your network who built their product
- Tech Twitter/X — developers who write about what they build are usually serious practitioners
Red Flags That Should Make You Walk Away
- Asks for full payment upfront with no milestone structure
- Cannot explain what technology they will use or why
- No live portfolio links — only screenshots or mockups
- Gives you a quote within 10 minutes of hearing your requirements (a serious developer asks questions)
- Promises an unusually fast timeline without asking about feature complexity
- Disappears between initial contact and project start — they will disappear during the project too
How to Write a Brief That Gets Accurate Quotes
Describe what your users will do, screen by screen. 'I need a booking app' tells a developer nothing. 'A customer lands on the site, selects a service, picks a date and time, enters their details, pays via Paystack, and receives a WhatsApp confirmation' — that is a brief. The more specific your description, the more accurate the quote and the less room for scope disputes later.