The verdict in three sentences
When three quotes range from 15,000 to 70,000 USD for the same site, the gap rarely reflects real work: it reflects what is left out, inflated or locked in. For an energy services firm that goes through operator prequalification, the classic traps are marked up hosting, unpriced HSE content, missing ADA accessibility work and long maintenance commitments. Ask for a line by line quote and a written clause for each item below.
The traps, line by line
| Trap | Typical quote line | What it hides | Clause to demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marked up hosting | Premium managed hosting: 4,800 USD a year | 2 to 4 times the price of an equivalent plan | Plan specs and pass through pricing |
| Missing licences | Custom premium theme | Paid theme and plugins you must renew | Licence list, annual cost, holder |
| Unpriced HSE content | Integration of client supplied content | HSE policy, safety performance and certification pages left to you | Number of written pages and unit price |
| Accessibility left out | No mention | Exposure to ADA website claims | WCAG 2.1 AA target, audit before launch |
| Maintenance lock in | Mandatory 36 month care plan | 12 to 36 months with no exit | 12 months, notice based termination |
| Domain in agency name | Domain registration included | Domain registered to the vendor | Domain in your company's name |
| No IP assignment | No mention | The agency owns the code | Assignment of rights on code and content |
On accessibility, US courts have heard many website claims under the ADA; refer to the Department of Justice's published guidance and your counsel rather than an agency's reassurance.
Comparing three quotes on a common basis
An illustrative breakdown, 2026 market ballpark.
| Item | Quote A | Quote B | Quote C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headline price | 15,000 USD | 32,000 USD | 70,000 USD |
| HSE and corporate copy (10 pages) | Excluded, +6,000 USD | Included | Included |
| Accessibility audit | Excluded, +5,000 USD | Included | Included |
| Licences over 3 years | Excluded, +2,000 USD | Included | Included |
| Hosting over 3 years | 4,500 USD | 3,600 USD | 14,400 USD |
| Maintenance over 3 years | Mandatory 36 months, 27,000 USD | 12 months, 9,000 USD | Mandatory 36 months, 43,200 USD |
| Real 3 year cost | 59,500 USD | 44,600 USD | 127,600 USD |
The cheapest quote ends up costlier than the mid range one once omissions are added back.
What a clean quote contains
A sound quote lists pages, features, copywriting, accessibility, hosting, licences, maintenance and ownership. As a reference, Kolonell's prices are public: a Growth site at 1,830 to 3,050 EUR, copywriting at 90 EUR per page, 110 EUR per extra language, maintenance from 53 to 183 EUR a month, with no commitment beyond what you choose.
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Rachel, CFO of a 150 person energy services firm headquartered in New York with field crews in the Permian and Gulf regions, compares the three quotes above. She picks B after securing a written IP assignment. Over three years she saves 14,900 USD versus A and 83,000 USD versus C, and gets HSE pages ready for operator prequalification files.
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FAQ
How do we spot marked up hosting?
Ask for the plan's specs (storage, traffic, backups) and compare with equivalent public plans. A gap of 2 to 4 times signals hidden margin.
Should the agency write HSE content?
Not necessarily, but someone has to price it. Expect around 500 to 700 USD per page from a US agency (market), reviewed by your HSE manager.
Is a 36 month maintenance plan abusive?
It is rarely justified for a corporate site. Twelve months with one month's notice protects the company better.
Do we need an accessibility audit?
For a US company it is a prudent line item, often 3,000 to 8,000 USD (market). Ask for a WCAG 2.1 AA target in the contract.
Is the most expensive quote the safest?
No, a high price guarantees nothing. Compare the real 3 year cost and the clause list, as in the table above.
Let's scope your project. Send us the quotes you received or your brief, and we will return a line by line quote with licences, hosting and copywriting included. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
