Compare the same website
A five-page brochure site, a product catalogue and a customer portal are different projects. Page count alone is not enough: a product template with search and checkout can require more work than several simple information pages. Define the purpose and user journeys before comparing totals.
Separate build costs from ownership costs
Ask for domain, hosting, paid licenses, backups, maintenance and support as separate items. For a monthly website offer, clarify the minimum term, setup fee, what happens on cancellation and who owns the files. Low entry pricing can be appropriate, but its conditions need to be visible.
Include content and migration
Who writes the copy, prepares product data and supplies photography? Does the scope include redirects from the current site and testing old campaign links? A quote that assumes finished content cannot be compared directly with one that includes research, writing and image production.
Prepare a useful brief
Provide your current domain, main audience, desired actions, required pages, languages, integrations and editing needs. Share examples of useful features rather than asking for an exact copy of another website. A proposal should connect these requirements to deliverables and acceptance checks.
Your practical checklist
- Identify the website owner and editor
- List required functions and integrations
- Confirm who supplies copy and imagery
- Separate recurring and one-time costs
- Document redirects, testing and handover
