Web Design Quote Template: Discovery, Design, Development, CMS & Maintenance
Web Design Quote Template: Discovery, Design, Development, CMS & Maintenance
Web design quotes that blur discovery, design, development, and ongoing support lead to scope creep and unpaid hours. Clients need to see what they're paying for—and what they're not. Whether you're quoting a small business site or an e-commerce build, the right structure sets expectations and protects your margins. This guide covers discovery, design concepts, development, CMS setup, hosting, maintenance retainer, and two example quotes.
Phases to Include in Every Web Quote
- Discovery �?Research, strategy, sitemap, content outline. Often fixed or hourly.
- Design �?Concepts, revisions, approval. Quote per round or package.
- Development �?Build, CMS setup, responsive, testing. Fixed or per page.
- Content �?Who writes it? You, client, or copywriter? Quote or exclude.
- Hosting & domain �?Setup, first year, or ongoing. Be clear.
- Maintenance �?Updates, backups, support. Retainer or ad-hoc.
Exclusions: "Excludes: stock imagery, third-party integrations not specified, content writing beyond 500 words per page." See how to quote for a job for structuring deposits and milestones.
Discovery Phase: What to Quote
- Strategy call �?1�? hours. Often included or low fee.
- Sitemap & wireframes �?4�? hours. Quote fixed: e.g. $600�?1,200.
- Content outline �?Per page or lump sum.
Example: "Discovery: 1× strategy call, sitemap, wireframes. $800. Informs design and development scope."
Design Concepts and Revisions
- Concepts �?1�? rounds. Quote per round: e.g. $400�?800 per round.
- Revisions �?Limit them. "2 rounds of revisions included. Additional rounds: $150/hr."
Example: "Design: Homepage + 2× inner page concepts. 2 rounds revisions. $1,400."
Development, CMS, and Hosting
| Element | Typical Quote | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Static pages | $150�?400/page | Depends on complexity |
| CMS setup (WordPress, etc.) | $800�?2,000 | Theme, plugins, training |
| E-commerce | $2,000�?8,000+ | Platform, products, checkout |
| Hosting setup | $200�?500 | Or ongoing monthly |
| SSL, domain | Often included first year | Or pass-through |
State what's included: "Development includes: responsive build, CMS setup, 5 pages, contact form, basic SEO (meta tags)."
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Try FreeExample Quote 1: Small Business Website
Scope: 5-page site, WordPress, contact form, basic SEO
| Phase | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery | Strategy, sitemap, wireframes | $700 |
| Design | Homepage + 2 inner page concepts, 2 revisions | $1,200 |
| Development | 5 pages, WordPress, contact form | $2,400 |
| Hosting | Setup + 12 months | $360 |
| Total | $4,660 |
Timeline: 4�? weeks. Deposit: 50%. Payment: 50% on launch. Maintenance: Optional $80/mo (updates, backups).
For converting quotes to invoices, see invoice on the spot. If clients pay late, how to chase late payments has scripts.
Example Quote 2: E-Commerce Build
Scope: 20-product store, WooCommerce, payment gateway, basic SEO
| Phase | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery | Strategy, sitemap, product structure | $1,200 |
| Design | Homepage, category, product, cart concepts | $2,400 |
| Development | WooCommerce, 20 products, payment, shipping | $5,500 |
| Hosting | Setup + 12 months (e-commerce plan) | $600 |
| Total | $9,700 |
Timeline: 8�?0 weeks. Deposit: 40%. Milestones: 40% on design approval, 20% on launch. Maintenance: $150/mo recommended.
Maintenance Retainer
Offer ongoing support as a separate line:
- Basic �?Updates, backups, security patches: $80�?150/mo
- Standard �?Basic + content updates, minor changes: $150�?300/mo
- Premium �?Standard + priority support, analytics: $300�?500/mo
Example: "Maintenance retainer: $120/mo. Includes: WordPress updates, backups, 1 hr content changes. 3-month minimum."
Summary
A web design quote should break down discovery, design, development, CMS, hosting, and optional maintenance. Two examples—small business at $4,660 and e-commerce at $9,700—show the structure. State exclusions, revision limits, timeline, and payment milestones. A clear quote wins projects and reduces scope creep. Use EasyInvoice to create professional quotes and invoice on the spot at each milestone—no more chasing payments.