Introduction: The Lagos Reality Check
Last week, a victoria Island restaurant owner asked me: “Ansa, why are people calling to ask for directions when our address is on the website?”
Simple answer: Her site and surveying Lagos buyers, I discovered th failed Lagos 101. Nigerian customers don’t browse, they hunt. If your website makes them work, they’ll move to your competitor faster than a Danfo leaves Oshodi.
After testing 200+ Nigerian sites and surveying Lagos buyers, I discovered these 12 make-or-break elements. Implement them to turn your ‘window shoppers’ into paying customers.
The 12-Point Lagos Web Design Checklist
(with Naija-Specific Implementation Tips)
1. Mobile Loading Under 3 Seconds (Even on Glo Network!)
Why Lagosians Care: 60+% of Lagos customers go through wesites on the move – TechCabal Report
✓ Naija Fix:
- Host with Qservers Nigeria
- Compress images with ShortPixel
- Test speed
2. Naira Pricing (No Dollar Ambiguity)
Lagos Fail: “Starting at $50″ = “Oga, how much is this for real?”
✓ Naija Fix:
₦75,000 full package
3. WhatsApp Button on EVERY Page
Why Lagos Care: 98% of Nigerian customer service happens on WhatsApp
✓ Naija Fix:
- Float bottom-right corner
- Use green WhatsApp brand color
- Pre-fill message: “Hi (Your Busines Name), I saw your website…”
4. Lagos-Proof Payment Options
Critical Icons to Display:
✓ Bank Transfer ✓ USSD ✓ Cash on Delivery ✓ POS
✗ “PayPal Only” (Instant trust for speedy process killer!)
✓ Pro Tip: Add “Lagos same-day cash pickup” option
5. Physical Address with Landmarks
Lagos Fail: “123 Opebi Road”
Lagos Win: “Opposite Chicken Republic, Opebi Road (2 mins from Ikeja City Mall)”
✓ Include: Google Maps embed + “View in Waze” button
6. Naija-Time Business Hours
Don’t Do: “Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm”
Do:
Monday-Friday: 8:30am – 6pm
Saturday: 10am – 4pm
*Closed Sundays & Public Holidays*
*Jumat Break: 1pm-2pm Fridays*
7. Nigerian Faces in Imagery
✓ Lagos-Tested Ratio:
- 70% local models (Lekki/Ikeja backgrounds)
- 20% product shots
- 10% infographics
Focus: Stock photos of Africans in offices.
8. ‘As Seen In’ Lagos Badges
Display: Logos that apply
[Lagos Chamber of Commerce Logo]
[Featured on: TechCabal | Pulse NG]
[Secure Payment: Flutterwave | Paystack]
9. JAMB-Level English (simple for anyone to read)
Before: “Leverage our synergistic paradigms”
After: “We help Lagos businesses get more customers online”
✓ Readability Test: Flesch-Kincaid Grade 6 or lower
10. Network Failure Fallbacks
Critical Message: Include fallbacks
“Network unstable?
- Call: 080X XXX XXXX
- WhatsApp: [Click Here]
- Visit: [Address with Landmark]
11. Lagos Area-Specific Pages
SEO Gold:
- /services/lagos-island
- /services/ikeja
- /services/lekki
Content Tip: “Web Web Design in Ikeja Differs from Lekki”
12. ‘No Story’ Service Pages
Lagosians Want:
[Your Service Name] → [Your Pricing] → [How It Works] → [Book Now]
Avoid: Poetic mission statements before pricing
Case Study: Suruler Bakery’s 140% Sales Bump
Before Checklist:
- 5-second load time
- Dollar-only pricing
- No WhatsApp button
- “Contact From Only”
After Implementing 12 Points:
✓ Sales ↑ 140% in 60 days
✓ “Where are you located?” calls ↓ 90%
✓ WhatsApp orders: 73/day average
Free Download: Lagos Web Audit Checklist
Click Here
Includes:
- Technical speed tests for Nigerian networks
- Trust factor scorecard
- Lagos SEO optimization checklist
- Naira payment gateway comparison
Conclusion: Your Lagos-Ready Reminder
“Lagos customers aren’t judging your website – they’re judging whether you understand Lagos. As a Balogun Market trader told me: ‘If I no see WhatsApp button ans Naira price, I no trust am!’
Run through this checklist now:
- Open your website on all Nigerian networks
- Pretend you’re in a dando with 10% battery
- Try to buy before Ketu traffic jams ends
P.S. My team offers free 15-point website audits – we’ll grade your site against these 12 elements + 3 bonus Nigerian conversion secrets.”