PIPELINEGuide
Web design: comparing providers — what really matters
Quotes for web design are hard to compare because everyone puts something different in them. The questions that reveal the differences — and the warning signs.
When comparing web design providers, what matters less is the quoted price and more the question of what happens afterward: who supports the system after it goes live, and what does a later adjustment cost. That's the difference that only shows up after a few months.
01 — Criteria
How quotes differ
- What exactly is included. Two quotes with the same total can cover completely different deliverables. Ask for scope as a list, not as running text.
- Who delivers what. Content, images, data, access — if it's not specified, it becomes a point of conflict later.
- What operation costs. Calculated over three years, including licenses, hosting, and support.
- What happens if you want to switch. Do you get access, data, and documentation? The answer to this question says more about a provider than any reference.
- Who actually does the work. With small providers this matters: who sits in the meeting, and who then does it.
02 — Questions
Questions you should ask
- What happens if the project becomes more expensive than estimated — who bears that?
- Who owns data, access, and, if developed, the source code?
- What does operation cost in the second and third year?
- What does the documentation we receive at the end look like?
- How would you measure whether the project was successful?
- Is there a case in which you would advise us against this?
03 — Warning signs
When to be skeptical
- Guaranteed results. Anyone promising top Google ranking or a specific revenue increase is selling something they can't deliver.
- No pushback. A provider who thinks every project is a good idea has either not listened or is only selling.
- Time pressure. Limited-time discounts on project prices are a sales tool, not an offer.
- Unclear ownership. Anyone who won't clearly say who owns data and access doesn't have your interests at heart.
- No contact with technical expertise. If only sales sits in the first meeting, that's where misunderstandings arise.
04 — Scope
What's included
- Layout grid, typography and color system as a cohesive system
- Designs for page types, not for every individual page
- Light and dark modes considered from the start
- Contrast and readability testing according to WCAG
- Component library so new pages can be created without a designer
- Handover document with rules that others can follow too
05 — Questions
Frequently asked questions
What about accessibility in design?
We check contrast, font sizes, focus presentation, and click areas against WCAG 2.1 AA. That's significantly cheaper in design than later in implementation.
Will this look good on mobile too?
We design the narrow view first, because that's where the majority of visitors arrive. The wide view is the easier case, not the other way around.
Do we even need custom design?
Not necessarily. If you need a site with five pages and no brand ambitions, a well-adapted standard system is the more sensible choice. Custom design pays off when you need to stand out from competitors or manage many pages.
How many revision rounds are included?
Two rounds per draft are standard and usually sufficient, because the directional decision is made after the first presentation. Additional rounds are possible but noticeably extend the timeline.
Do we get several drafts?
Two to three directions on one page type. Ten variations help no one — they just shift the decision to the client instead of making it.
Who owns the files?
You do. You get the source files and the documentation. If you work with someone else later, they can continue with them.
Do you also provide image material?
No, that's not part of the design system. But we specify exactly what kind of images are needed and recommend suitable sources or a photographer if required.
Next step
Send us a few sentences about your project.
We read every inquiry ourselves and respond personally. No sales team, no callback form into the void.