The build is only half the story. What happens after launch?
Hosting, domains, maintenance and edits: the ongoing website costs and responsibilities worth understanding before you sign.
A website has more than one moving part
The domain is the address people use to find you. Hosting is the service that makes your website available. The build covers the design and development. Care covers agreed work after launch. These may be bundled together, but they are different responsibilities. Ask for a proposal that separates them so you can see what you are paying for.
Read the scope before the headline price
Compare the number of pages, help with writing, photography, enquiry forms and third-party integrations. Ask how many review rounds are included and what happens if the scope changes. A cheaper quote may leave more work with you. A higher price should be explained by useful work, rather than vague promises about results.
Know how an edit becomes a finished change
A care plan should explain how to request an update, what counts as a small edit and how larger changes are estimated. Replacing an opening time is different from adding a booking system. Find out who checks changes before they go live and what happens if an urgent issue appears. Avoid assuming a response time that has not been agreed.
Keep ownership practical
Register your domain in an account you control and store the recovery details safely. Clarify who owns the source files, design assets and content, and which third-party licences are involved. Ask how a handover works and what it would cost. Clear arrangements protect both sides and make the working relationship easier.
Choose around your working week
If you have time and the right skills to manage a website, a project build with a clear handover may suit you. If you would rather send updates to someone who knows the site, ongoing care may make more sense. Compare the total cost and responsibilities over the same period. The right option is the one you understand and can comfortably maintain.