The verdict in three sentences
The cheapest bid is almost never the best value: an abnormally low quote is recouped through change requests, overpriced maintenance or no code ownership. The right method is a weighted grid comparing expertise, methodology, references, total cost of ownership (TCO) and guarantees. Always ask the 15 questions below: they reveal a vendor's real level in ten minutes.
The weighted evaluation grid
Adapt the weights to your context, but keep price under 30 %: beyond that, you buy a number, not an outcome. Score each criterion 1 to 5, multiply by the weight.
| Criterion | Weight | What earns a high score | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical expertise | 20 % | Mastered stack, recent examples | Vague promises |
| Methodology | 15 % | Sprints, UAT, clear milestones | "We'll see as we go" |
| Verifiable references | 15 % | Live sites, reachable contacts | No contact provided |
| Total cost (3-yr TCO) | 25 % | Hosting + maintenance costed | Initial price only |
| Code ownership | 10 % | Git repo handed to client | Code "rented" |
| Guarantees & SLA | 10 % | Written fix turnarounds | No commitment |
| Commercial responsiveness | 5 % | Precise answers within 48 h | Silence, vagueness |
Compare true cost, not the headline price
A quote is only comparable at identical scope and duration. Rebuild the 3-year TCO before deciding.
| Item | Agency A (low) | Agency B (fair) | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial build | 6,000 EUR | 12,000 EUR | B includes SEO + GDPR |
| Estimated change requests (3 yr) | 5,000 EUR | 1,000 EUR | A under-scopes |
| Annual maintenance | 3,600 EUR/yr | 2,400 EUR/yr | A bills per ticket |
| Hosting | 1,200 EUR/yr | included year 1 | — |
| Code ownership | No | Yes | Lock-in risk |
| 3-yr TCO | ~25,400 EUR | ~19,800 EUR | B cheaper overall |
Mini case study
Karim, procurement lead at a distribution SME in Lyon, receives five quotes from 6,000 to 15,000 EUR. Tempted by the cheapest, he still applies the weighted grid: the 6,000 EUR agency won't hand over the code and bills every change. Rebuilding the 3-year TCO, it reaches 25,400 EUR versus 19,800 EUR for a 12,000 EUR agency including SEO, GDPR and code ownership. Karim picks the latter, saving ~5,600 EUR over three years while gaining autonomy.
FAQ
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
How many agencies to consult?
Three to five is enough. Beyond that, analysis time outweighs the gain. Give them all the same brief to get truly comparable quotes.
Is a very low quote always bad?
Not always, but it warrants closer scrutiny: real scope, code ownership, cost of changes and maintenance. The risk is paying the difference in change requests over three years.
Should I require code ownership?
Yes. Without a Git repo handed over, you're captive to the vendor. Require it in the quote; it's a knockout criterion for many savvy buyers.
What guarantees should I ask for?
A fix turnaround for blocking bugs (ideally < 48 h), a post-delivery warranty period and a clear maintenance contract with a day rate known in advance.
How do I check references?
Ask for three live sites and contact at least one client. Check performance (Core Web Vitals) and how recent the work is, not just the portfolio.
Let's scope your project. Send us your brief: we respond with a detailed proposal, a transparent 3-year TCO and code ownership 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.
