Comparing website quotes: what should you look for?

You have received a few quotes for a new website and the amounts vary widely. That is almost always because different things are being offered. Use these points to compare like with like.

1. What exactly is in scope?

Look at the number of pages, languages, forms and features such as bookings or payments. A low price sometimes means copywriting, images or a second language are not included.

2. Custom design or template?

A template is faster and cheaper, but your site looks like others. A custom design fits your brand and is built around what your customers are looking for. Ask whether you will see a design before building starts.

3. Technology and speed

Ask how the site will be built and how fast it loads on a phone. Slow sites rank worse on Google and lose visitors.

4. Is SEO included?

Check the technical basics: unique page titles, descriptions, structured data, a sitemap and redirects from your old site. Without them you will pay extra later to be found.

5. Can you edit content yourself?

Ask whether there is an admin area and whether you get a walkthrough at handover.

6. Who owns the website?

Check that the domain, code and content are yours, and that you can move to another provider.

7. Aftercare and maintenance

What happens after launch? Ask about updates, security, backups, response times and the cost of small changes.

8. Fixed price or hourly rate?

A fixed price for an agreed scope gives certainty. With an hourly rate it is harder to know in advance where you will end up.

Checklist

• Scope and number of pages clearly described
• Design shown in advance
• Technical SEO included
• Edit content yourself
• Domain, code and content are yours
• Agreements on maintenance and response time
• Fixed price and timeline

How a quote works at DevCru

You tell us briefly about your project. You then receive a personal quote with a clear scope, timeline and fixed price, so you know exactly what you get.