Picking a website design company on price alone often backfires: the domain ends up in someone else’s name, the site is awkward on mobile and support disappears after launch. Below is what to compare in the proposal, the red flags and a practical checklist for small businesses.

Comparing website quotes?

Tell us your industry, city and what the site must do. You get scope and pricing in writing.

Website design How to evaluate a proposal

What the company must make clear

  • Domain and access in your name — registrar, hosting, email and admin panel.
  • Page scope — home, about, services, contact, blog: how many, and who writes the copy.
  • Timeline with conditions — “24 hours” only applies when materials are ready.
  • SEO basics — titles, meta, mobile speed, Analytics and Search Console.
  • Maintenance after launch — what the monthly fee covers and what is extra.

A serious web design agency answers that in writing. If you only hear “full package”, ask for the list.

Red flags

  • A price far below market with no page or revision count
  • Domain or hosting “included” without saying whose name they sit in
  • A promise of #1 on Google in a few weeks
  • Demo only on desktop, never on a phone
  • A contract silent on source code and export

How to compare two quotes

  1. Ignore the total for a minute and align scope: same pages, same copy, same timeline.
  2. Mark what is out: photos, copywriting, store, software, ads.
  3. Add 12 months of maintenance to the build price — the math changes.
  4. Ask for a recent example in a similar business.

For format choices, see agency vs freelancer vs Wix and website or online store.

Next step

Tell us your industry, city and whether you already have a domain. My Help works 100% online and sends a written proposal. Details on website design.