Say you got quotes from three agencies: one for 18,000 TL, one for 32,000 TL, one for 55,000 TL. The first instinct is to pick the middle one or question the cheapest. But those three numbers are probably not prices for the same job. One includes copywriting, one adds first-year hosting, one doesn't specify anything. The first step in comparing is translating the quotes into the same language.
Sections a quote should have
A good quote roughly covers: scope of work, page and feature list, design and revision rules, technical platform, SEO setup, delivery time and schedule, payment plan, post-launch support and ownership. If one is missing, ask about it and get the answer by email.
A quote that sums up the scope in one line as “Corporate website design” doesn't tell you much. And when a problem comes up, you have nothing to point to.
Page count and content items
The number of pages should be stated, but the list matters more than the number. “Homepage, About, 4 service pages, Blog, Contact” is clearer than “8 pages”. For repeating page types such as blog posts or products, building the structure and entering the content are different jobs; which does the quote cover?
On content, there are three things to ask. Who writes the copy? Who supplies the images, and are stock image licences included? Who enters the content? “To be provided by the client” is common and legitimate; but if you pick the cheapest quote without noticing it, you may need a separate budget for copywriting later.
If you want a multilingual site, who handles translation should also be stated separately. Adding a second language in the software and translating the copy are two different jobs.
Design and revision items
Revisions often cause arguments. When reading, check:
- How many design concepts will be presented? One direction or alternatives?
- How many revision rounds are included?
- What counts as a “revision”? Colour and text changes, or reworking the page layout from scratch?
- How is extra work charged once the revisions run out?
In projects that adapt a ready-made site, the design framework is set from the start, so revisions usually stay at the level of colours, typefaces, images and copy. In a design from scratch, revision rounds are among the things that stretch the schedule most. Part of the price gap between two quotes may come from here.
Technical and SEO items
This section varies a lot between quotes, and it's the one clients read least.
Platform: Which system will the site be built on? WordPress, an off-the-shelf e-commerce platform, custom code? Will there be an admin panel, and what will you be able to change?
Domain and hosting: Are they included, for how many years, and what do they cost from the second year? Whose name will they be in?
SSL, contact form, map, WhatsApp button: Usually included, but it's good to have them in writing.
Integrations: Payments, shipping, e-invoicing, booking system, CRM. Each is its own work item and among the parts that move the price most. If the quote says they're “included”, ask with which provider.
SEO setup: Page titles and descriptions, sitemap, Search Console setup, image alt text, mobile speed. For a rebuilt site, a plan to redirect old URLs to new ones belongs here too. “SEO-friendly” isn't an item on its own; what will be done needs to be written down.
Tracking: Google Analytics 4, Tag Manager, form and WhatsApp click tracking. If you plan to advertise, this item is very important.
Delivery, payment and support
Delivery time should be stated in working days, along with the condition it depends on. In many quotes, the clock starts on the day content is delivered. That's a reasonable rule; you just need to know it.
The payment plan is usually part up front and the rest on delivery. Whatever the plan, it should be in writing, with a clear amount for each stage.
Post-launch support: How many days or months of free bug fixes are there? Is maintenance charged separately, and what's in the monthly fee? Ownership: Is it written down which of the site files, database and access details will be handed over to you?
Comparing quotes in one table
Open a spreadsheet. Put the items in rows and the agencies in columns. Rows could be: page list, copywriting, images, content entry, number of design concepts, revision rounds, platform and admin panel, domain and hosting (first year and after), integrations, SEO setup, tracking, delivery time, payment plan, free support period, monthly maintenance fee, ownership.
In each cell write “included”, “excluded (cost)” or “unclear”. For every unclear cell, send the agency a question.
Once the table is filled in, where the gap between 18,000 and 55,000 in the example comes from becomes largely visible. Sometimes the cheapest quote gets close to the middle one once you add the missing items. Sometimes the expensive quote includes items you don't need.
Don't limit the comparison to first-year cost; work out the two-year total too. Hosting, domain and maintenance recur every year from the second year on.
We gathered what to watch for in very cheap quotes in a separate post, and explained how to plan your budget before asking for quotes in our post on website budgets. If you get a quote from us, you'll see the scope, revisions, domain and hosting, and ownership terms in writing; if a row from this table isn't in the quote, just ask.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ask for an item that wasn't in the quote later?
You can, but it's usually charged as extra work. Putting scope changes in writing by email and agreeing their effect on price and timing in advance is a healthy approach for both sides.
Can a quote stand in for a contract?
A detailed, accepted quote can serve as a basis for the work in some cases, but ownership, intellectual property, confidentiality and cancellation usually aren't in quotes. For larger projects we recommend a separate contract, reviewed by a lawyer.
Blog posts are for general information only and are not a substitute for legal, financial or technical advice.