--- title: "What changes the price of a website (and what doesn't)" description: "Two websites can look similar and cost very different amounts. These are the things that actually move the price, so you can compare quotes properly." url: https://charbelbuilds.online/blog/what-changes-the-price-of-a-website updated: 2026-10-12 --- [Home](https://charbelbuilds.online/) [Blog](https://charbelbuilds.online/blog) Planning a website [Planning a website](https://charbelbuilds.online/blog?category=planning) # What changes the price of a website (and what doesn't) Two websites can look similar and cost very different amounts. These are the things that actually move the price, so you can compare quotes properly. **Charbel Morkos** 12 October 2026 2 min read ![Kassar IT online store homepage with search and product categories](https://charbelbuilds.online/assets/img/work/kassar-it.webp) **In this article** 1. What the site needs to do 2. Custom design or a template 3. Languages 4. Content 5. What happens after launch 6. How to compare quotes Ask three web designers for a price and you can get three very different answers. That isn't always someone overcharging. Usually, each of them is imagining a different website. Here is what really drives the cost, so you can compare quotes fairly. ## What the site needs to do This matters more than the number of pages. A five-page site that only shows information is a much smaller job than a five-page site that takes bookings, sells products or connects to your stock. Every feature that does something needs to be built, tested and kept working. ## Custom design or a template A template is faster and cheaper, and it can look fine. A custom design is planned around your business, your customers and what you want them to do. If you compete in a crowded market, looking different and being clearer than the shop next door is often worth it. ## Languages A site in English and Arabic is more than a translation. Arabic reads right to left, so layouts, menus and forms need their own attention. Plan for it from the start rather than adding it later. ## Content Who writes the text and who provides the photos? If you have them ready, the project moves faster. If the designer has to write copy or arrange a photo shoot, that is extra work and should be in the quote. ## What happens after launch Hosting, security updates, backups and small changes are ongoing work. Some quotes include them and some don't. Always ask what happens in month two, and who you call when something breaks. ## How to compare quotes - Ask for the scope in writing: pages, features and languages. - Check whether design, content and hosting are included. - Ask to see similar projects they built, not just nice-looking ones. - Be careful with a very low price that doesn't explain what you get. Want this done for your business? Tell me what you need. I'll look at your current setup and reply within one working day. [Get started](https://charbelbuilds.online/get-started) ![Charbel Morkos](https://charbelbuilds.online/assets/img/charbel.webp) Written by Charbel Morkos I design, build and manage websites, online stores and business systems for companies in Lebanon. [See my work](https://charbelbuilds.online/work) . [Related case study Kassar IT Tech retail online store](https://charbelbuilds.online/work/kassar-it) ## More from the blog - [Online presence Instagram is not a website: what your business misses without one 2 min read](https://charbelbuilds.online/blog/instagram-is-not-a-website) - [Planning a website 6 things to prepare before you hire a web designer 2 min read](https://charbelbuilds.online/blog/prepare-before-hiring-a-web-designer) [All posts](https://charbelbuilds.online/blog) --- *charbel.builds is run by Charbel Morkos, a freelance web designer and developer in Lebanon. Email hello@charbelbuilds.online, WhatsApp +961 81 627 526. Facts about the business, with sources: https://charbelbuilds.online/facts.md ยท All pages: https://charbelbuilds.online/llms.txt*