If you’ve asked two companies for a website quote and gotten two very different prices, start by asking what each one includes. Are they helping you write your service pages? Will they move your existing site? Who takes care of updates after launch? We like to walk through those questions up front so you know what you’re paying for and what you can take care of yourself.
Start with what the website needs to do
A site that introduces your business and gives people a way to request a quote is a different project from a site that takes payments, manages bookings, or lists hundreds of products. Both can look simple to the customer. Behind the scenes, an online store may also need product setup, shipping rules, checkout tests, and a way for you to manage orders.
Before asking for a price, write down the action you want a customer to take. Then list the services or products they need to see before they take it. That will give both you and the designer a better starting point. Our guide to what a small-business website should include can help you make that list.
Ask who is supplying the words and pictures
A quote may assume you’ll provide finished copy, usable photos, and a logo. Another may include help organizing your services, writing from an interview, or preparing images for the web. Ask who handles each part and how many rounds of revisions are included. If you already have material you like, send a few examples when you ask for the quote.
If you already have a site, ask what carries over
A redesign can involve keeping existing pages, moving them to new addresses, or replacing old forms and tools. Ask what will happen to URLs customers already use, who will test any redirects, and whether the contact forms and analytics will be checked after launch. A smaller update may be enough if the main issue is a hard-to-use menu, outdated service information, or a form that needs repair. See our guide to deciding whether to redesign or upgrade your website.
Compare the project price and the ongoing costs
Put each quote into two columns. In the first, list what’s included to get the site live. In the second, list what you’ll pay for after launch, such as domain renewal, hosting, software licenses, and support. Ask who handles updates, how backups work, and what happens if you need help with a change. It’s easier to compare the numbers when each quote answers the same questions.
- Which pages, features, and rounds of revisions are included?
- Who provides the copy, photos, and product information?
- Who handles the move, launch, and checks afterward?
- Which charges recur, and who owns the accounts and files?
What to bring to the first conversation
Send us your current web address if you have one, the services you want to feature, and what you’d like customers to do when they get there. If there’s a budget or a date you’re working toward, tell us that too. We can talk through what belongs in the first version and what can wait. Talk with us about your website project.