Quote for a website, the guide to everything

1. Why do I need a detailed quote before I start?

In the web industry, as in any other profession, before starting an assignment, you need to get a quote. This is a document that groups together the services that a service provider offers to its client as well as their respective prices.

Note that it is free to request an estimate and that it does not commit you to anything until you sign it.

In our case, for the creation or redesign of a website, the client will request commercial proposals from different service providers in order to choose one and launch the mission.

1.1 How to choose the right quote?

Should you choose based on price? According to the creation time? By the reputation of the provider? Well, I would say none of the above! Work on fealing. But a guided fealing 😉

Let me explain!

When you ask for a quote from an agency or a freelancer you will present your project and your needs. Well when in return you are going to receive it, you are going to have to check some things. First of all, do you think this commercial proposal is just another copy and paste of an old one or has it been made according to your needs? Is it consistent with your request?

If you ask for a portfolio website and on the quote you have a line "Setting up a user space", I advise you to flee! Your service provider has not taken the time to properly make your quote.

• If you want to work with an agency

The advantage of a web agency is that it is multi-functional. In other words, they can meet all your web needs, whether it's the creation of the site or the writing of the content or even your communication strategy. However, this diversity of skills also means a diversity of professional profiles in the agency, which means higher operating costs and therefore higher prices. But let's not make a generalization!

• If you want to work with a freelancer

Working with a freelancer has a huge advantage, you are usually working with someone who is passionate (just like you, future or current entrepreneur). For some projects, such as logo design, working with a freelancer is great, you only need a graphic designer. However, for the creation of a website, you will need at least 2 profiles: a developer and a web designer. So you need a developer/designer pairing.

You are lucky because at Snoweb, we are both a pair of passionate developers/web designers and an agency. We help you create or redesign your website, but also write your content and do your SEO. By the way, if you're reading this article, it's because we're good at both SEO and content writing.

1.2 What is the difference between a fixed-price quote and a fixed-price quote?

For some web projects, and here I am thinking of large projects requiring a showcase site and a web or mobile application for example, it is wise to estimate differently than for a showcase site.

• Service

As a general rule, the creation of a website will be priced by service, especially for small creations. That is to say that we commit ourselves with the customer to deliver a result. We sell him a final service.

As in the example below, the service provider undertakes to deliver a visual identity for 2,000.00 €.

2. What should an estimate contain?

Just below, I detail the mandatory information that must appear on a quote. But you should also know that, for large web projects, your service provider can provide you with more elements in addition to the quote, such as

• A presentation of the agency

Often in the form of one or two pages, the service provider (agency or freelance) can provide you with information about its structure. Such as its years of existence, its latest projects, its known and recognised clients or a presentation of the team.

• A reformulation of your needs

This is a succinct reformulation of your request to ensure that it has been understood.

• Breakdown of your project

Depending on the areas to be worked on, the service provider details the points of execution, reflection or questioning.

• A schedule

The schedule will allow you to project yourself and to know approximately when your product will be online. As well as all its production phases.

• Legal contracts

Whether for a service or maintenance contract, a contract ensures a reliable commitment between you and your service provider. Indeed, to draw up a contract, we review all the possibilities (good or bad) that may arise during the contract in order to find outcomes that are in everyone's favour. For example, if you do not respect the payment schedule, you will have penalties or if your contractor does not finish the project, you can ask for compensation. But don't worry, every contract is different and you will see with your provider how it works.

If it is not stated on the quote, you have the right to ask what technology(ies) is/are used for your project. This information can help you in your choice of provider. If the technology used is not well known or old, it will be difficult to make it evolve over time.

3. 10 questions to ask yourself before requesting a quote

Here are some of the questions you should ask yourself before requesting a quote. It's always better to know what you're talking about before you ask for a quote, so you can be sure you understand everything the person you're talking to is talking about.