How to compare the first-year cost of a contractor website
A useful quote shows what you pay to launch, what you pay to keep the site running and who handles updates after it goes live.
Compare the same costs in every quote
List the build, domain registration and renewal, hosting, SSL, copy, photos, forms, maintenance and optional tools. Check promotional versus renewal pricing and include tax where applicable. Ask who owns the domain and what you can take with you when you leave.
Compare DIY, a separate designer and a managed plan
| Approach | Costs and work to include |
|---|---|
| Build it yourself | Platform subscription or hosting, domain, paid features, and the time you spend writing, testing and updating. |
| Hire a designer | Build quote plus any separate hosting, revisions, migration, support or ongoing maintenance. |
| TradeLaunch managed plan | $79 × 12 months = $948 for the base plan before tax and separately priced extras. The plan includes design, hosting and defined routine updates. |
Make sure the page count fits the work
A five-page site could cover Home, Services, Projects, Service Areas and Contact. A plumber who wants dedicated drain and water heater pages might use the same allowance differently. A larger service catalog, booking integration, or photo upload workflow can change the scope.
Questions to ask before you pay
How many revisions are included? Who handles SSL, backups, updates and restoring the site? What does a new page cost? Where do form submissions go? Can you keep your domain, photos and copy? If you're switching providers, ask who maps existing pages and tests the forms.
Review the managed website plan
TradeLaunch includes up to five pages, two prelaunch revision rounds, hosting and SSL, and three routine content updates per month of up to 30 minutes each. Domain registration, business email, paid tools and custom work are separate. Compare current plans or read the plumbing website cost guide for a trade-specific example.