The checklist to run any quote against — hosting, updates, security, and the extras that get quietly left off.
A proper website package covers more than the design — hosting, security, a mobile-friendly build, basic local SEO setup, a way to make ongoing edits, and clarity on who owns the domain. If a quote only covers the design and build with nothing said about what happens after launch, ask before you sign anything.
Every website needs somewhere to live. Cheap or free hosting can mean slow load times, which matters — a slow site loses visitors before they've read a word, and Google factors load speed into rankings too. Ask specifically where the site will be hosted and what happens if traffic spikes or something breaks.
Websites need security patches and backups the same way any software does. This gets missed constantly in one-off builds, because it's not a visible feature — it's only noticed when something goes wrong. Ask who's responsible for this after handover, and how often it happens.
Most people searching for a tradie are doing it on their phone, often standing in front of the problem they need fixed. A site that isn't properly built for mobile — not just "shrinks to fit," but actually designed for a small screen — loses those visitors before they get to your phone number.
Prices change, service areas expand, a new photo needs adding. A package that doesn't include a way to make these changes without a fresh invoice every time isn't really finished at launch — it's finished until the first thing needs updating. See our guide on website costs for tradies for how this usually gets billed separately if it's not built into the deal upfront.
This is the part that gets left off the most. A proper package should include your business correctly marked up for search engines (schema), a Google Business Profile that's linked and consistent with the site, and — if you cover more than one area — dedicated pages for the places you actually work. A site with none of this can look finished and still be close to invisible in local search.
The domain should always be registered in your name, not the name of whoever builds the site. This matters more than it sounds — if you ever want to leave, a domain you don't own is a real problem. Confirm this before the build starts, not after.
Whichever route you're comparing — see our guide on DIY vs. hiring a designer for that decision — run any quote against the six items above. If a quote is silent on more than one or two of them, ask directly rather than assuming it's included.
Our Free Range Care Plan is built around this exact checklist — hosting, security, unlimited edits, and local SEO setup (schema, GBP alignment, and a dedicated page if you cover a specific area like Ballarat) are all included in the $199 a month, and the domain is registered in your name from day one. The build itself is free, and nothing's charged until you've seen and approved the finished site.
Free to build, no lock-in, and you see the whole thing before you pay a cent.