How to Choose a Web Developer in Afghanistan

Choosing a web developer in Afghanistan decides more than how your website looks. It decides whether you own your domain, whether you can update your own pages, and whether the site still works for your business a year from now. This checklist walks through the checks that actually matter, in the order I would use them myself.

Start with what your business actually needs

Before you talk to anyone, write down what the website must do. For most businesses in Kabul and across Afghanistan that is simple: present your services clearly, work well on phones, and make it easy to contact you by phone, WhatsApp or a form. If you need more — an online catalogue, bookings, a customer login, a custom workflow — write that down too. A developer can only give you a fair price against a clear list; vague requests produce vague quotes and unfinished projects.

Check real work, not promises

Ask for live websites, and open them. A portfolio should link to real projects you can visit, on a phone as well as a computer. Look at whether the sites load quickly, whether the text is readable, and whether you can find the contact details within a few seconds. You can see my own work on the portfolio page: every project there is a real, live website or published app, not a mock-up. That is the standard to hold any developer to, including me.

Agree the scope in writing

Before money changes hands, the scope should be written down: which pages, which features, who provides the text and photos, how many revision rounds, and what the timeline is. This protects both sides. Most failed website projects I hear about did not fail on technology — they failed because the client expected ten pages and the developer priced four, and nobody wrote it down.

Ask about ownership before you pay

This is the question people forget, and it matters most later:

• The domain should be registered in your name, with your details.
• The hosting account should be yours, or transferable to you.
• You should be able to get your content — text, photos, product data — out of the site.
• For custom work, agree who owns the code and what you receive at handover.

A developer who registers everything in their own name can hold your business hostage later, even unintentionally — if they become unreachable, your website is stuck with them.

Ask how support works after launch

Websites need care after launch: updates, backups, small changes, and someone to call when something breaks. Ask what support is included, what it costs after that, and how quickly you can expect a reply. If you plan to update the site yourself, say so early — it changes what should be built. My services page sets out how I handle support and maintenance, and the website maintenance checklist shows what ongoing care actually involves.

Understand the price — and what changes it

Website prices in Afghanistan vary because scopes vary. A basic business website and a custom platform are different products, and any honest quote explains the difference. I publish my starting prices openly — business websites from $100, professional websites $150–$300, e-commerce from $200+ — on the website price guide for Afghanistan, together with what raises or lowers a quote. A developer who will not explain their price structure before starting is a risk.

Red flags to watch for

• Guaranteed rankings. Nobody can honestly guarantee a #1 position on Google. It is a promise made to close a sale.
• No written scope. Verbal agreements are where projects go to die.
• Everything registered in the developer's name. Domain, hosting and accounts should be yours.
• "Best company" lists as proof. A developer's own live work is proof; a listicle is marketing.
• Pressure to pay everything up front. Milestone payments are normal and safer for both sides.

Questions to ask before you pay

1. Can I see live websites you have built for businesses like mine?
2. What exactly is included in this price, page by page?
3. Who registers the domain and hosting?
4. Can I update the website myself afterwards? What will I be shown at handover?
5. What happens if something breaks after launch?
6. How long will it take, and what do you need from me to start?

One more decision that often comes up at this stage is the platform itself. If you are weighing WordPress against a custom build, I wrote an honest comparison: WordPress vs Laravel — which is right for your business website?

Frequently asked questions

How much does a website cost in Afghanistan?

It depends on the scope: a basic business website starts around $100, a professional website typically falls in the $150–$300 range, and an e-commerce store starts from $200+. Custom platforms are quoted per project. The full breakdown is in the website price guide.

How long does a business website take?

A standard business website usually takes one to two weeks once your content — text, logo and photos — is ready. Larger sites and custom applications take longer, and the timeline should be agreed in writing before work starts.

Should I hire a freelancer or a company?

What matters is the work, the ownership and the support, not the label. A company may suit a large project with many people involved; an individual developer means you talk directly to the person building your site. Check the portfolio and the process either way — and be honest about which you are hiring. I work as an individual developer, and I say so plainly.

When you are ready, send a short description of your business through the contact form or on WhatsApp, and you will get a clear scope and price back — the same standard this checklist describes.