A useful quote separates the build, outside expenses and ongoing care. Agree on the deliverables before comparing the total.
Describe the website you are buying
“A business website” is too broad to price accurately. A five page company site with supplied copy is a different project from a car catalogue with filters, enquiry forms and two languages. Both may run on WordPress. The work behind them is different.
Write down your essential pages and the action each page should support. For a consultancy, that might mean a service page that leads to an enquiry. For a retailer, it could mean a product page that leads to a paid order. Put features you can postpone in a separate list.
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What changes the build price?
| Decision | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Pages and layouts | Count distinct page types, not only URLs. Ten products using one layout differ from ten individually designed pages. |
| Content | Who writes the copy, prepares photographs and enters the first pages or products? |
| Languages | Who supplies translations, and does the scope include navigation, forms and product information in each language? |
| Features | List search, booking, accounts, checkout, integrations and document uploads individually. |
| Design | Ask whether the quote covers a tailored design, an adapted theme or supplied designs. |
| Testing and handover | Confirm mobile testing, revisions, launch checks and editor training. |
Separate launch costs from running costs
Ask for three groups in the proposal: the one time build, outside expenses and recurring care. Outside expenses might include a domain, hosting, licensed extensions, photography or translation. Recurring costs might include renewals, backups, updates and support.
For each paid tool, ask whose account owns the licence and what happens at renewal. A licence included for the first year is useful, but you still need to know the next payment and whether the website depends on it. Payment provider charges belong in the operating budget for a shop, with the provider confirming its own terms.
Compare the same scope
Create a simple comparison sheet. Give each proposal a column and each requirement a row. Mark items as included, excluded or unclear. An empty answer should become a question before you choose a supplier.
- Page types and essential features are listed.
- Content entry and translations have a named owner.
- The number of revisions and approval points is clear.
- Hosting, domain ownership and renewals are explained.
- Testing, training and launch support are included or priced separately.
- The payment schedule and arrangements for scope changes are written down.
A lower quote may be the right choice if it deliberately covers a smaller first version. The problem comes when a smaller version is sold as the complete project. Ask what can wait and what your customers need from the first day.
How Triad prepares a quote
Triad does not publish a single price for every website. The proposal follows a conversation about your pages, content, features and timing. You receive the scope and price before building starts, with ongoing care agreed separately.