A good quote does more than announce a price: it reassures the client, frames the project and protects you when the scope starts to drift. Here's how to build a website quote that is clear, complete and easy to accept.
What the client should grasp in 30 seconds
Your client doesn't read a quote like a contract. They're looking for three answers: what do I get, how much does it cost, and when. Put them at the top, before the details.
- The scope: "Redesign of the Maison Ndolé showcase website, 5 pages, mobile version included".
- The total: before tax, VAT, and total including tax.
- The timeline: start date, key milestones, planned launch date.
The line items to include
Break the project down into understandable services rather than one opaque flat fee. The client sees where their money goes, and you can remove a line instead of lowering your price.
| Service | Unit | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Showcase website (up to 5 pages) | flat fee | 850,000 XAF |
| Additional page | page | 75,000 XAF |
| SEO copywriting | page | 25,000 XAF |
| Hosting and domain name | year | 60,000 XAF |
| Maintenance | month | 45,000 XAF |
| Team training | hour | 35,000 XAF |
Pricing without selling yourself short
Start from the time you actually spend, not from what you think the client can pay. Count the steps people often forget: brief, rounds of feedback, mobile testing, launch, training.
- Estimate the number of days per step (mockups, development, revisions, testing).
- Multiply by your day rate.
- Add a 15 to 20% buffer for the unexpected.
- Compare with your previous projects: your pricing should stay consistent.
The terms that protect you
- Deposit: 30 to 50% on signature. No deposit, no start.
- Included revision rounds: specify how many per step (for example 2). Beyond that, they're billed.
- Validity: 30 days, so that a quote accepted six months later doesn't lock you into the old price.
- What's not included: content, photos, paid plugin licenses.
A precise quote is the best defense against "just a few small changes". When a request falls outside the scope, you don't have to justify yourself: you add a line.
Invoicing in XAF or euros
If your client is abroad, draw up the quote in their currency. They understand the amount right away, and you avoid exchange-rate discussions when it's time to pay.
Get it signed, then get started
Send the quote as a link rather than an attachment: the client opens it on their phone, accepts it online, and you get notified. With Coolcolab, acceptance opens the collab, its payment schedule and the client's portal access.
