How to choose a web design company in Kampala: 10 questions to ask

Choosing a web design company in Kampala is harder than it should be. Quotes for what sounds like the same website can differ several times over, portfolios are full of screenshots you cannot click, and the real differences only show up months later, when you need a change, the site goes down or the developer stops answering.

These ten questions help you compare companies fairly. They work whether you hire us or someone else. A good company will be happy to answer all of them, in writing.

1. Can I see live websites you built, and talk to the owners?

Screenshots and mock-ups are easy to make. Ask for links to live websites, then open them on your own phone. Do they load quickly? Do the forms and WhatsApp buttons work? Is the phone number one tap away?

If you can, ask the company to put you in touch with one or two past clients. A five-minute call will tell you more about deadlines, communication and support than any proposal.

You can see the live websites we have built on our projects page.

2. Who will own the domain, the website and the content?

This is the question that saves the most pain later. Make sure:

• the domain (yourcompany.co.ug or .com) is registered in your organisation’s name, with login details you can access;
• you receive the website files or code, or at least a clear agreement on what happens if you move;
• the photos and text are yours to reuse.

If a developer registers your domain in their own name, moving away from them can become very difficult.

3. What exactly is included in the price?

Two quotes can look similar and include very different things. Ask for a written list covering:

• number of pages and who writes the text;
• design (template or custom);
• contact forms, WhatsApp and booking or payment features;
• hosting, SSL certificate and domain for the first year;
• training and how many rounds of changes you get.

Then ask the follow-up question: what does it cost to renew hosting and the domain after year one? A cheap first year with expensive renewals is common.

Our own packages and starting prices are on our pricing page.

4. How will the website perform on a phone on mobile data?

Most of your visitors will arrive on an Android phone, often on mobile data. A site that looks beautiful on the designer’s large screen can be slow and awkward on a phone.

Ask how they keep sites fast: image compression, lightweight code, good hosting. Ask them to test one of their live sites in front of you with Google’s PageSpeed Insights, which is free. You do not need to understand every number; you want to see that they care.

5. How will customers contact me, and how will I know it is working?

A website’s job is usually to bring in enquiries: calls, WhatsApp messages, form submissions and bookings. Ask:

• Will WhatsApp and the phone number be easy to tap on every page?
• Where do form submissions go, and what happens if the email fails?
• Will you set up analytics that count enquiries, not just visitors?

If a company only talks about how the site will look, and never about how it will bring in customers, that is a warning sign.

6. What will you do so the website shows up on Google?

No honest company can promise first place on Google. But every professional website should have the basics:

• a unique title and description for every page;
• a sitemap submitted to Google Search Console;
• pages written around what your customers actually search for, such as “conference hall in Kampala”;
• a Google Business Profile so you can appear in Google Maps.

Be careful with anyone who guarantees rankings or offers “SEO” without explaining what they will actually do.

7. Can customers pay with Mobile Money?

If you plan to sell online or take booking deposits, ask how payments will work. Most Ugandan customers expect MTN or Airtel Mobile Money as well as cards. This is usually done through a payment gateway, which charges its own transaction fees, so ask the company to explain those costs too.

If you only need customers to order through WhatsApp for now, say so. A good company will build for what you need today and leave room to add checkout later. See our notes on e-commerce websites in Uganda.

8. Can I update the website myself?

Prices change, staff change, and you will want to post news or photos. Ask whether you will be able to edit text and images yourself, and ask for a short demonstration of how. If every small change has to go through the developer, find out how quickly they respond and what they charge.

9. What happens after launch?

Websites need care: software updates, security fixes, backups and the occasional broken link. Ask:

• Is there a warranty period for fixing bugs after launch?
• Who monitors the site if it goes down?
• How often are backups made, and have they ever restored one?
• What does a monthly care plan cost, and what does it include?

A company that hosts and maintains what it builds has a reason to build it properly. Read more about hosting and website care.

10. Will you put it all in a written quote?

Everything above should end up in a written quote or contract: scope, timeline, payment schedule, ownership, what is included after launch and what costs extra. Avoid starting work on a verbal agreement and a deposit.

It is also reasonable to ask where the company is based and whether you can meet. Being able to sit down with the people building your website makes a real difference when decisions need to be made quickly.

A quick scoring sheet

When the quotes come in, score each company from one to three on these points:

Question	What a good answer sounds like
Live work	Links you can open on your phone, and a past client you can call
Ownership	Domain and content in your name, in writing
Price clarity	Itemised quote, with renewal costs after year one
Mobile speed	They test it in front of you and explain how they keep it fast
Enquiries	WhatsApp, calls and forms tracked, not just visitors
Google basics	Titles, sitemap, Search Console and Google Business Profile
Payments	Mobile Money options and gateway fees explained
Editing	A demonstration of how you will update content
Support	Warranty, backups, monitoring and a care plan price
Written quote	Everything above on paper before you pay

The cheapest quote is rarely the best value. The best value is usually the company that scores well on ownership, enquiries and support, because those are what decide whether you pay for your website once or twice.

Next step

If you are comparing web design companies in Kampala, ask us these ten questions too. We will answer them in writing, show you live websites we have built and give you a fixed quote before any payment.

Get a free quote, or if you already have a website, start with a free website audit. You can also read more about our website design service in Kampala.