A website quote must say what is delivered, who owns each piece (domain, code, content), which costs repeat every year and what happens after launch. If it only has a price and the phrase "mobile-friendly design", you cannot compare it with another one.
Here is a 12-point list to ask for and review. We do not give prices in this article: the ranges out there vary a lot and every project is different. To estimate yours, use our web cost calculator or check the plans.
What must a website quote say?
Four things: the scope (which pages, which features and in which languages), the deliverables (what you receive at the end), the timeline and the payment stages. Everything else is compared on that basis. If one of these four is missing, ask them to complete it before going on.
Which 12 points are worth checking?
- Scope and pages. How many pages, which sections and which features: forms, online store, blog, languages.
- Domain. It must be registered in your name. It is your business's address on the Internet and, if it is in the vendor's name, you depend on them.
- Hosting and renewals. Where the site lives, who pays for it and how much it costs to renew each year.
- HTTPS. It protects what travels between your site and the visitor from being tampered with or spied on, and it is required for modern features such as service workers or geolocation (web.dev).
- A complete mobile version. Google indexes and ranks using the mobile version of your content, so it must have the same content, title and description as the desktop one (Google Search Central).
- Basic SEO. Titles and descriptions per page, a sitemap and Search Console setup. Here is how to do it.
- Speed. Ask for a measurable Core Web Vitals goal and for them to check it with PageSpeed before delivery (what they are and how to improve them).
- Accessibility. Ask which level of the WCAG 2.2 guidelines the design targets. WCAG 2.2 is a W3C Recommendation published in December 2024 and has levels A, AA and AAA (W3C).
- Personal data. If there are forms, they must ask for authorization and explain how data is used, as Colombia's Law 1581 of 2012 requires. We explain it here.
- Ownership. Who owns the code, the design, the texts and the accounts. Get it in writing.
- Maintenance and support. What it includes, for how long, how fast they respond and what it costs afterwards.
- Backups and security. How often copies are saved and who updates the site.
What red flags can a quote have?
- Only a price, with no scope or deliverables.
- Domain or hosting in the vendor's name, with no explanation.
- Hidden annual costs that appear after you sign.
- A guarantee of first place on Google. Google says no one can guarantee it and that whoever promises it is a sign to look for someone else (Google Search Central).
- They do not explain what they will do. The same Google guide asks you to be wary of anyone who does not detail their work.
How do you compare two quotes?
Put both side by side in a table with the 12 points. Mark what each one includes, what it charges separately and what it does not mention. What it does not mention weighs the most: it tends to end up as an extra cost or a problem later.
| Point | Quote A | Quote B |
|---|---|---|
| Domain in your name | ||
| Annual renewal cost | ||
| Speed goal | ||
| Code ownership | ||
| Support included |
If you are torn between two, ask each vendor to answer the same 12 questions in writing.
If you want a proposal that covers these points, see our web development service or write to us.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a website cost in Colombia?
It depends on the scope: there is no single figure. The ranges circulating online often come from companies that sell the service. Estimate with the calculator, compare several proposals with the list above and check what each price includes.
Are domain and hosting the same thing?
No. The domain is the address (like `yourcompany.com`) and hosting is the place where your site's files are stored and served. They are bought and renewed separately.
What is an SSL certificate and do I need one?
It is what turns on HTTPS on your site. It protects what travels between your page and visitors from being tampered with or spied on. It is a standard practice on a professional site.
Should I pay everything upfront?
The prudent way is to pay in stages tied to deliverables, with a reasonable deposit and the rest against progress you can review. Ask for it in the proposal.
Who owns my website?
It should be you, but it depends on the contract. Ask that it say in writing that the code, design, content, domain and accounts are yours.
