Most people asking this question have two quotes in front of them, one twice the price of the other, and no idea what the difference is. Here is how to read them.
What changes the price
Two websites can look similar and cost very differently. Almost all of the difference comes down to six things:
- How many pages, and whether the text is written for you
- Whether you need a store, bookings or a client database
- How much of the design is custom
- Whether domain, hosting and email are included
- How many rounds of changes you get
- What happens after launch
A five-page site with text you write yourself is a different job from a ten-page site with a shop, a booking calendar and copywriting. Neither is wrong. They are just different jobs. If a shop is part of yours, WordPress vs Shopify for a small business store shows what each platform really costs over three years.
A quote with no page count, no delivery date and no list of what is included is not a quote. It is a guess.
What should always be included
Whatever you pay, a finished website should arrive with a domain and hosting set up, an email address on your own domain, a contact form that actually reaches you, and the basics of SEO in place so Google can find you. Google’s own SEO Starter Guide lists what those basics are. If any of that is missing from a quote, it is not cheaper. It is unfinished. And if your current site is live but nobody can find it, start with why your website is not showing up on Google.
Comparing two quotes
Put them side by side and compare page count, delivery date, revision rounds and what happens after launch. Then ask each studio the same question: what is not included? The answer tells you more than the price does.
Before you pay a deposit, ask for the page count, the delivery date and the list of what is included in one message. Any studio worth hiring will send it the same day.
Questions to ask before you pay
Who owns the website when it is finished? Can I edit it myself, or do I pay for every change? What happens if I need help three months after launch? Where is my domain registered, and is it in my name? A good answer to all four is worth more than a discount.