Page count is only part of the price
A basic company website with supplied copy is different from a site that needs research, copywriting, product data and custom forms. A single booking page can require more development than several straightforward service pages.
List the actual journeys before asking for quotes. Can a visitor only send an enquiry, or must they choose a service, see availability, pay and receive confirmation? The second journey introduces integrations, error handling and more testing.
- Design: an adapted starting layout or a bespoke visual system
- Content: supplied copy or research, writing and editing
- Functionality: forms, catalogue, checkout, accounts or bookings
- Migration: existing pages, images, redirects and email considerations
- Handover: editing access, training and documentation
Compare once-off and recurring costs separately
Ask which costs continue after launch. Hosting, domain renewal, paid plugins, platform subscriptions, maintenance and future content updates may be billed separately. Confirm who owns the accounts and what happens if the relationship ends.
A lower build price can be reasonable when the scope is small. It becomes difficult to compare when essential items are described only as extras. Request a written inclusion list and a process for approving additional work.
Ask for acceptance criteria
Agree how you will judge the completed site. This can include a working enquiry form, layouts tested on phones, correct contact information, an editable service section, analytics checks and redirects from important old URLs.
For ecommerce, include a real end-to-end test of products, delivery, payment status and order confirmation. For custom software, specify permissions and the business rules behind each workflow.
Use Future Proofed's package pages as a starting point for scope, then request a proposal for the actual requirements. A relevant portfolio and a clear delivery process make a quote easier to evaluate than an unexplained price.
Common questions
Should I choose the cheapest quote?
Compare the same deliverables, ownership, support and recurring costs first. A small, well-defined project can be inexpensive; an incomplete quote can become costly later.
Can I reduce the budget without sacrificing essentials?
Prioritise the most important customer journeys and launch a smaller complete site. Defer optional features while keeping reliable forms, mobile usability and core content in scope.