How to Tell a Good Website Offer from a Bad One
May 21, 2025 / 4 min read
You start looking for someone to build your website. A few emails later, you’re flooded with offers ranging from €300 to €3,000 – and somehow, they all promise the same things: “modern design,” “SEO friendly,” “fully responsive.”
So how do you separate the real value from slick packaging and buzzwords?
In this article, I’ll walk you through the key things to look for, and the red flags that could cost you more than you expect in the long run.
A good offer is neither vague nor bloated
A quality offer spells out what’s included and how the work will be done. It’s clear, structured and written in plain language – no fluff, no filler.
Lately, I’m seeing two extremes. On one side, you have the infamous one-liner: “Full website with everything included – €299.” On the other, you get five-page PDFs packed with jargon, technical acronyms and add-ons you never asked for.
Neither is a sign of professionalism.
A solid proposal doesn’t try to impress with length – it impresses with clarity.
A €300 website isn’t realistic and it’s the most expensive kind
Creating a proper website takes time and expertise. It requires learning about your business, creating a plan, designing, developing, testing, optimizing, making it mobile-friendly, and ensuring it’s secure and fast.
If someone claims they’ll do all that for €300, ask yourself: how many hours of real work does that actually cover?
The answer? Not many. And then you end up paying extra for things that should have been included in the first place.
A prebuilt template is not a custom solution – and that matters
Let’s be clear: ready-made WordPress themes have their use. But they’re not a solid foundation for a serious long-term website. They’re bloated with features you don’t need, load slowly, are harder to maintain and limit your flexibility.
Real-life example:
A client came to me after paying €400 for a “professional” website. It looked fine at first glance – but it was just a pre-designed template with stock images and generic content. They couldn’t even change a button color without extra fees. The site was slow, poorly optimized for mobile, and lacked basic SEO.
In the end, we had to start from scratch.
A custom site is built around you – no clutter, no excess code, no hidden limitations.
Your website needs a purpose and not just a pretty face
Design matters, of course. But if your site doesn’t solve a real problem or help users take action, it’s just decoration. A website is not a digital brochure – it’s a tool.
That’s why we begin by asking the right questions:
– What do you want your visitors to do?
– Who are you talking to?
– What’s the core message you want to send?
If these questions aren’t part of the initial conversation, something important is missing.
Post-launch support isn’t a bonus – it’s a necessity
A website isn’t a set-and-forget product. Technology evolves, threats increase, algorithms change.
If the offer doesn’t include at least basic support and maintenance, you’ll likely be on your own a few months down the line or looking for another developer to fix what’s broken.
A serious developer plans for long-term cooperation, not just a one-time delivery.
In conclusion: look for clarity, realism and honest communication
Not every offer needs to be “all inclusive” or promise the world for €299. What matters is that it’s clear, honest and aligned with your actual needs.
Ask questions. Compare offers. Don’t be dazzled by shiny language or discouraged by those who speak in real terms and timelines.
A good offer doesn’t sell you a fantasy. It gives you a roadmap and shows that someone actually understands your project.