Website quote: how to read and compare itWebsite quote: how to read and compare it

You've received a website quote, or two, and the amounts are worlds apart? That's normal: two providers almost never price the same thing. Before looking at the total, you need to know how to read what's inside. Here's what a serious quote should detail, the most common traps and a simple method to compare.You've receivedreceived a website quote, oror two, and the amountsamounts are worlds apart? That'sThat's normal: two providers almostalmost never price the samesame thing. Before looking atat the total, you needneed to know how toto read what's inside. Here'sHere's what a serious quotequote should detail, the mostmost common traps and aa simple method to compare.compare.

France Num, the French government's digital service for businesses, surveyed 133 providers: a fixed-price showcase site costs €1,200 at the median, with half the prices between €690 and €1,800 (France Num source). An online store or custom site goes higher. I explain what moves these numbers in showcase website price.France Num,Num, the French government's digitaldigital service for businesses, surveyedsurveyed 133 providers: a fixed-pricefixed-price showcase site costs €1,200€1,200 at the median, withwith half the prices betweenbetween €690 and €1,800 ((France Num source). An onlineonline store or custom sitesite goes higher. I explainexplain what moves these numbersnumbers in showcase website price.

1. The scope: number of pages and their list (home, services, about, contact...). To estimate it, see how many pages for a business website.The scope:scope: number of pages andand their list (home, services,services, about, contact...). To estimateestimate it, see how many pages for a business website..
2. The design: adapted template or a mockup drawn for you, and how many correction rounds are included.The design:design: adapted template or aa mockup drawn for you,you, and how many correctioncorrection rounds are included.
3. The content: who writes the copy, who provides the photos.The content:content: who writes the copy,copy, who provides the photos.photos.
4. The tech: WordPress, website builder or custom code, mobile version, speed.The tech:tech: WordPress, website builder oror custom code, mobile version,version, speed.
5. Basic SEO: titles, descriptions, structured data, a clean technical base.Basic SEO:SEO: titles, descriptions, structured data,data, a clean technical base..
6. Launch: installation, domain name, redirects if you already have a site.Launch: installation,installation, domain name, redirects ifif you already have aa site.
7. Training: being able to edit your copy yourself.Training: beingbeing able to edit youryour copy yourself.
8. Timing and payment schedule (often a deposit, then the balance on delivery).Timing andand payment schedule (often aa deposit, then the balancebalance on delivery).

Surprises often show up after signing. Ask these questions before:Surprises oftenoften show up after signing.signing. Ask these questions before:before:

• Are hosting and the domain name included, and for how long? These are yearly costs.Are hostinghosting and the domain namename included, and for howhow long? These are yearlyyearly costs.
• Are paid plugins or themes included in the price?Are paidpaid plugins or themes includedincluded in the price?
• Who handles updates and security after delivery? Maintenance is priced separately.Who handleshandles updates and security afterafter delivery? Maintenance is pricedpriced separately.
• How much for an extra page or language?How muchmuch for an extra pagepage or language?
• Are changes after launch billed by the hour?Are changeschanges after launch billed byby the hour?

Some cheap offers are really a rental: you pay every month, and the day you stop, the site disappears. The quote must state clearly that the site, copy, images and domain name are in your name. Same logic for website builders, as I explain in WordPress or Wix.Some cheapcheap offers are really aa rental: you pay everyevery month, and the dayday you stop, the sitesite disappears. The quote mustmust state clearly that thethe site, copy, images andand domain name are inin your name. Same logiclogic for website builders, asas I explain in WordPress or Wix.

1. Put them side by side and tick, line by line, what each includes.Put themthem side by side andand tick, line by line,line, what each includes.
2. Add to the cheapest what it leaves out (copy, training, hosting) to get a real total.Add toto the cheapest what itit leaves out (copy, training,training, hosting) to get aa real total.
3. Look at the three-year cost, not just at delivery: subscriptions and maintenance included.Look atat the three-year cost, notnot just at delivery: subscriptionssubscriptions and maintenance included.
4. Ask to see sites already built and client reviews.Ask toto see sites already builtbuilt and client reviews.
5. Trust the first conversation too: a provider who asks about your business prices more accurately.Trust thethe first conversation too: aa provider who asks aboutabout your business prices moremore accurately.

Don't compare totals, compare contents.Don't comparecompare totals, compare contents.

At Ordas, prices are fixed and published: €1,050 for 5 pages (Essential), €1,450 for 10 pages (Standard), €1,950 for 10 pages (Premium) and €2,950 for more than 10 pages (Elite). Each package lists what's included on the WordPress website page. And if you're still unsure about the type of provider, I compare the options in freelancer, agency or website builder.At Ordas,Ordas, prices are fixed andand published: €1,050 for 55 pages (Essential), €1,450 forfor 10 pages (Standard), €1,950€1,950 for 10 pages (Premium)(Premium) and €2,950 for moremore than 10 pages (Elite).(Elite). Each package lists what'swhat's included on the WordPress website page. And if you'reyou're still unsure about thethe type of provider, II compare the options inin freelancer, agency or website builder.