There is no single price for a business website because the cost follows the scope. Two quotations can differ widely simply because they describe different work. Understanding the cost drivers helps you compare like with like.
What drives the cost
- Number of pages and the amount of unique design required.
- Who writes the content and sources the photography.
- Functionality: enquiry forms, bookings, online payments, customer accounts or integrations.
- E-commerce: product count, payment gateway set-up and order processes.
- Ongoing costs: domain registration, hosting, email and maintenance.
Once-off and recurring costs
Separate the once-off build from recurring costs. A domain and hosting are paid annually or monthly, and a maintenance plan covers updates, backups and support. A low build price with expensive or unclear recurring fees is not necessarily cheaper over two or three years.
Comparing quotations
- Check that each quotation lists the same pages, features and deliverables.
- Confirm who owns the website and its content after payment.
- Ask how many rounds of design changes are included.
- Ask whether search engine set-up, mobile testing and SSL are included.
Letacom provides written quotations in South African Rand that itemise these elements, so you can see exactly what is included.