ADVICE · WEBMASTERBXL
How much does it cost to build a website?
The price of a website depends on what it needs to do and the work required to build it. A price range without a defined scope is hard to use. Here are the items to clarify so you can request a quote and compare proposals on a like-for-like basis.
A brochure website presents a business and makes it easy to get in touch. An online shop adds a catalogue and a checkout journey. A specific tool may require particular features and connections. The number of pages alone therefore does not explain the budget.
Describe the actions you expect visitors to take: booking an appointment, sending a file, buying a product or looking up information. Separate the features essential for launch from those that can come later.
2. Account for content preparation
Who writes the copy? Who provides the photos and product information? Content that is ready and organised does not involve the same work as research, writing and a selection of visuals still to be done. Also specify the languages, translations and approvals. For a redesign, the content to keep and the addresses of existing pages need to be reviewed.
3. Identify the running costs
The domain name, hosting and some licences may involve recurring costs. External services, particularly for payments or integrations, may apply their own terms. Ask which accounts belong to you, which costs are included and how often they recur. Free software does not mean that designing and running the website costs nothing.
4. Plan for follow-up
Maintenance, content changes and adding new features are separate needs. A quote should specify what is included at delivery and what is covered by separate follow-up. Checks, backups and support arrangements should be spelled out. Avoid assuming that a “turnkey website” automatically includes all future work.
5. Compare the scope before the amounts
To compare two proposals, check the same elements: pages, features, content, mobile adaptation, handover, access, third-party costs and follow-up. Being a freelancer or an agency is not enough to determine the quality of the work. At WebmasterBXL, I build the quote around your project: what will be delivered, what you provide, the options and the follow-up you want. A clear scope helps you decide before any work begins.
Why does the price of an e-commerce website vary?
A shop adds a catalogue, variants, payment methods and delivery rules to a brochure website. The preparation time also depends on the quality of the product data, photos and imports. A small catalogue prepared by you does not have the same scope as migrating a large number of product pages or connecting to a management tool.
Separate the build cost from the running costs: domain, hosting, any licences, maintenance and provider fees. Writing product descriptions, translations and ongoing SEO should be stated as included, provided by you or offered as an option.
To scope the project, see the e-commerce website development in Brussels page.
A simple checklist to attach to your quote request
- Your business, your audience and the action you expect visitors to take on the site.
- The pages or categories you have in mind, the languages and the essential features.
- The copy, visuals or data already available, and what still needs to be prepared.
- The address of the website to be redesigned, the tools to connect and the access available.
- Timing constraints, and the handover and follow-up you want.
For each proposal, check the deliverables, third-party costs, exclusions and the terms that apply to future changes. A total alone does not allow you to compare two services.
- Build
- Pages, content, features, integrations and handover.
- Running
- Domain, hosting, licences and any third-party fees.
- Follow-up
- Maintenance, support and future changes, according to the agreed scope.
For each item, specify what is included, provided by you or planned separately. No amount is assumed.