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How to compare web designer quotes fairly

Writer: Roland Daniells
Roland Daniells
Apr 3, 2023
2 min read

Updated: Oct 21

Compare the scope behind a web design quote, from content and revisions to subscriptions, handover and ongoing support.

Illustration accompanying how to compare web designer quotes fairly

Price the same brief

Two website quotes can look very different because they describe different work. One might include copywriting and photography; another may assume you supply finished content. Give every designer the same page list, features and existing website details before comparing totals.

Separate the build from running costs

Ask for the project fee, platform or hosting costs, domain renewals, paid applications and any maintenance agreement. For an online store, payment-provider charges and operational integrations also matter. Confirm VAT treatment and payment stages in the written proposal. Do not assume a low initial fee includes future updates.

Check the review and handover stages

A proposal should say how designs are reviewed, what revisions are included, who approves content and how additional work is priced. Ask what editing guidance or training you receive and which accounts you control. “Support included” needs a duration and scope; it should not be read as unlimited ongoing work.

Compare value using your actual needs

A small service website may need a clear offer, genuine examples and an easy enquiry route. A catalogue or database-led service needs a different scope. Experience is useful when it is relevant to the work, but neither the highest nor lowest price proves that a proposal is right for you.

Use published starting prices correctly

TW Web Design publishes starting points of £499, £699 and £999. These are not complete quotes for every brief. The package comparison explains the published features; pages, revisions, content, fees and timing are confirmed in your proposal. Use the detailed pricing guide alongside a written scope.

Reviewed and updated 21 October 2026. The original publication date is retained.

 
 
 

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Clear steps. Agreed deliverables.

From first conversation to a website you can use.

Work directly with Roland Daniells in Reigate. We agree the work, responsibilities, costs and launch plan before development starts, with consultations and business visits by appointment.

  1. 01 / DISCOVER

    Understand your business

    Review your current website, customers, services, content and the enquiries you want to attract.

  2. 02 / AGREE

    Define the scope

    Your written proposal sets out pages, features, platform, content responsibilities, revisions, costs and timing.

  3. 03 / DESIGN

    Review the direction

    Shape the layout, copy and imagery around real customer questions. Review the design at agreed stages.

  4. 04 / BUILD & TEST

    Check the journey

    Build the agreed features and check navigation, links, forms and layouts on desktop, tablet and mobile.

  5. 05 / LAUNCH

    Hand over clearly

    Check the published site, agree the editing handover and confirm any ongoing maintenance separately.

The platform follows the brief.

Wix suits businesses that want visual editing and managed website tools. WordPress supports a flexible content-led website, with hosting, plugins and maintenance agreed around the setup.

Custom development can support business-specific workflows, databases and integrations. We assess API access, licensing and ongoing responsibilities before recommending a solution.

WordPress development · Bespoke websites and web apps

SEO work you can account for.

An SEO proposal identifies the pages to review and the deliverables that apply to your project:

  • Page titles, descriptions, headings and relevant service content.
  • Internal links, indexing checks and sitemap review.
  • Accurate local business information and enquiry routes.
  • A baseline, an agreed reporting schedule and a record of changes.

Ongoing SEO is scoped separately from a website build. Explore local SEO.

Measure the useful changes.

Where data is available, compare Search Console impressions, clicks and relevant queries over stated periods. Review enquiries alongside search traffic, rather than treating rankings as the only result.

For performance work, record the tested page, device, date and tool, then compare before and after. Core Web Vitals and PageSpeed tests can identify improvements; a lab score is not the same as real visitor performance.

Targets, access requirements and reporting frequency are agreed in the proposal. No ranking, traffic increase or perfect performance score is guaranteed.

Content and care after launch.

Agree who supplies copy, photographs, legal text and product information, and what editing handover is needed. Original photography and copywriting can be scoped alongside the website.

Confirm hosting, domains, subscriptions, renewals and ongoing support before you commit. Explore website maintenance or business photography.

Real projects. Considered solutions.

Built around
the business.

From original photography to a custom database, the right website starts with understanding what a business needs.

Design, content & photography

BPM Bathrooms

The brief: overhaul three existing websites.
The work: website design, original photography, customer interviews and search marketing, planned together in January 2024.

  • Website design
  • Photography
  • Search marketing
Explore the client website

Custom development & client control

Rogue’s Gallery Racing

The brief: bring racing information into one manageable website.
The work: a relational database connecting horses, shares, videos, trainers and jockeys, with a client editing interface. Delivered December 2021.

  • Web development
  • Relational database
  • Client-managed updates
Explore the client website

These examples describe the agreed work, not independently measured traffic or revenue gains. Read the full project stories in the portfolio below.

Discuss your project

Know what you are comparing

A starting price. A clearly agreed scope.

The cards above describe three starting points. Your written proposal confirms exactly what is included, which optional features you have chosen and the total cost before work starts.

Package
Starting price
Published features
Starter
From £499
Core business presence: headline, enquiry button, optimised images, navigation, opt-in offer, testimonials, About, Contact and FAQ content.
Medium
From £699
Starter features plus a portfolio, blog and social media setup, with training and support defined in the proposal.
Max
From £999
Bespoke scope. Optional features can include an online store, galleries, newsletter signup, social feeds, portfolios, a blog or event bookings. The selected features and their costs are confirmed in the proposal.

Pages, revisions and timing

Page count, content volume, revision rounds, milestones and target launch date are confirmed in your written proposal. The starting price does not mean unlimited pages or revisions.

Copy and photography

The proposal states which content you supply and whether copywriting, editing or original photography is included. These services are available to scope alongside the website.

Fees, VAT and support

Hosting, domains, platform subscriptions, paid tools, payment-provider fees and ongoing support are identified where applicable. Your proposal confirms recurring costs, VAT treatment and the total payable; do not assume these are included in the starting price.

New features, additional pages and work outside the agreed brief are discussed and quoted before proceeding. Ask for a proposal if you need a complete price for your project.

Practical advice on websites, local SEO and business photography, plus stories from the TW Web Design project archive. Written for independent businesses in Reigate, Redhill, Dorking and across Surrey.