There are many web designers in Oman, from freelancers on Instagram to agencies in Muscat. Prices and quality vary a lot, and a bad choice can cost you months and money. Use this checklist before you pay anyone, including us.
The 10-point checklist
1. Look at real, live websites
Ask for links, not screenshots. Open them on your phone: do they load fast, look good and work in Arabic?
2. Test the speed
Run their websites through Google PageSpeed Insights. Slow websites lose customers and rank lower on Google.
3. Arabic done properly
Arabic should read right to left with mirrored menus and proper fonts, not just translated text in an English layout.
4. You own the domain
The domain must be registered in your name, with the login given to you. Never let a designer keep it.
5. Ask for the three-year cost
Hosting, domain renewal, plugins and maintenance can cost more than the website. Ask for the total for three years.
6. Can you edit it yourself?
A simple content editor saves you paying for every small change.
7. SEO basics included
Titles, descriptions, a sitemap, Google Search Console and Google Business Profile should be part of the job.
8. A written scope and timeline
Price, delivery date, number of revisions and what is not included, all in writing.
9. A demo before launch
You should review the website on a private link before it goes live.
10. Support after launch
Who fixes things after launch, how fast, and at what cost?
Red flags to avoid
- No live examples, only design pictures.
- The domain registered in the designer's name.
- A very low price with high monthly fees hidden in the contract.
- No written scope or refund policy.
- Slow replies before you even pay.
Working with arafatbin.com
We are a web studio in Dhofar working with businesses across Oman. Websites start from OMR 20 with a free domain for the first year, hosting and SSL; you get a demo before launch, own everything, and get replies within 8 hours.