What affects the cost of a website
- the number and types of pages,
- who prepares the text and photos,
- integrations: bookings, payments, forms connected to other systems,
- language versions,
- moving content from the old site and redirects, so as not to lose positions in Google.
What affects the cost of an app
- the number of screens and user roles,
- integrations with the systems you already use,
- an app in the browser or on the phone,
- moving existing data,
- requirements for security and where it runs.
How to read and compare quotes
| Item in the quote | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Graphic design | Is it a design for your company or an adapted template? How many rounds of changes? |
| Content | Who writes the text and takes the photos? Is moving the old content included? |
| SEO | Does it include redirects of old addresses, structured data and site speed? |
| Forms and integrations | Where does the data from the form go? Is there spam protection? |
| Hosting and domain | Who are they registered to? Who has access to the accounts? |
| Maintenance | What does it cover: updates, backups, small changes? How much per month? |
| Rights | When it's finished, do you get the code, access to the admin panel and the rights to the design? |
The domain, hosting and accounts (Google, analytics) should be registered to you or your company, not to the developer. Without that, changing developers later can be very hard.
Costs after launch
On top of the build cost come running costs: the domain, hosting or a server, updates and any further development. A site on a popular system with plugins needs regular security updates. A static site, without a content management system, needs far fewer, but every content change goes through the developer or a simple editor.
Questions worth asking before signing
How to lower the cost without losing quality
- start with the smallest version that solves the problem,
- prepare the content before the project starts,
- use ready-made elements where they're enough,
- add features only when it's clear they are needed.
Terms from this guide
- Hosting
A service that stores a website and makes it available on a server reachable from the internet.
- CMS
A content management system, for example WordPress: a panel where you change the text and photos on a site without programming.
Questions and answers
Why do website quotes differ so much?
Because the same name covers different scopes: from a ready-made template to a design tailored to the company with integrations. Compare the scope, not just the price.
Can I pay for a website in instalments?
Often, yes, especially when the project is split into stages. The terms are agreed before the start.
How much does website maintenance cost?
It depends on the hosting, the number of updates and how often the content changes. It's worth asking before the project starts and having it written into the contract.