You’ve done your research, spoken to a few agencies or freelancers, and now you’re staring at a stack of website proposals. One’s £2k. One’s £6k. One’s £12k. They all say “custom design” and “responsive.” One looks sleek but vague, one’s packed with jargon, and the cheapest one somehow promises everything… fast.
The reality? The biggest mistakes businesses make when hiring a web designer often happen before the project even starts: during the proposal stage.
Here’s how to compare website proposals properly so you don’t get stung by hidden costs, poor results, or slow, painful projects.
Look beyond the price
It’s tempting to stack proposals side by side and start with the numbers, but price alone tells you nothing about value. A £2,000 website might end up costing you more if it delivers zero enquiries and takes six months to launch.
Tip: Check what’s actually included. A cheaper quote might skip strategy, skip SEO setup, or rely on templates. That’s not a saving, that’s a compromise that will cost you more money in the long run.
Is strategy included?
A lot of quotes focus on visuals: “a beautiful website”, “a modern design”, “mobile-friendly.” That’s basic. You want to know:
- Will they help you clarify your goals?
- Are they including a sitemap or content plan?
- Are they thinking about SEO, user experience, or conversion?
The right agency will take the time to think before they build. Strategy-first is what separates a pretty site from a high-performing one.
Tip: Look for mentions of discovery sessions, audience profiling, sitemap planning, and content strategy. These are the foundations of a website that actually performs.
Need context? See how we approach things on our Website Strategy page.
Who will you be working with?
Will you be handed off to juniors or third-party contractors?
Or will you work directly with the people doing the work?
If it’s not clear, ask.
Are deliverables clearly defined?
Do they specify what’s included — how many pages, how many revisions, what’s covered in support?
Does it include a launch date target?
A good proposal leaves no grey areas.
What about after launch?
Will they train your team? Do they offer support or hosting? Or do they disappear once the invoice is paid?
Bonus: feel into the relationship
You’re trusting this team with your brand. If they don’t feel like a partner — someone you can rely on — that’s worth more than any line item.
How we do it differently
At AB Web Agency, every proposal we send is bespoke. We:
- Start with a free website audit or discovery call
- Build a strategy based on your goals, audience, and current site performance
- Include copy, branding, SEO and integrations if needed
- Set a clear timeline with milestones
- Provide 30 days of post-launch QA
- Offer long-term support via our Website Care Plans and SEO Services
You’re not buying “a website.” You’re investing in growth, visibility, and better leads. That’s what our proposals are designed to deliver.
Want a second opinion?
Book a free website audit — we’ll review any proposals you’ve got and give you an honest opinion
Or Download our Website Planner to get clear on what you need before signing anything
Bottom line?
The proposal sets the tone for the entire project. Don’t settle for vague, templated, or purely design-led quotes. Ask better questions — and expect better answers.
