Initial Screening of Website Development Providers
Before selecting a website development company or freelance developer, it is recommended to verify the following criteria:
- Company Experience & Expertise: Choose a firm with experience, especially one that has built similar websites. Such a company can better understand your requirements and provide professional recommendations.
- Review Past Work: Examine the provider’s portfolio to evaluate whether their design style and functionality meet your expectations.
💥 Please verify that the showcased projects/websites were actually created by the provider; extra diligence is advised for individual freelancers.
- Reputation & Reviews: Search online for feedback and client testimonials to gauge service quality and customer satisfaction.
💥 Be sure to read (Google) negative reviews and see how they were addressed!
- Initial Conversation: Good communication is key. A basic interview or Q&A session will help you determine if your working styles align and ensure smooth collaboration.
- Scope of Services: Do they cover design, development, maintenance, and even subsequent marketing optimization?
- Technical Capabilities: Can they provide responsive design, SEO optimization, and other value-added services?
- Contract Terms: Are timelines, payment schedules, and maintenance details clearly spelled out?
* Common types of web development providers (not exhaustive):
- Integrated Marketing Agency — Focuses on marketing strategy. If they lack an in-house technical team, they typically subcontract the website build to partner firms or freelancers, offering the convenience of a single point of contact.
💥 Ask for information about their third-party partners to ensure you won’t end up a “website orphan.”
- Design Agency — Specializes in visual design, often using open-source CMS platforms like WordPress, or collaborating with a web development partner.
- Web Development Firm — Focuses on end-to-end website building; marketing tasks are usually handled by a separate marketing agency.
Freelance Developer vs. Web Development Company
Which should you choose: a freelance developer or a professional web development company? Compare these key points:
| Aspect |
Freelance Developer |
Web Development Company |
| Cost |
Lower; suitable for small projects |
Higher; provides a full suite of services |
| Communication Availability |
Must fit around the individual’s schedule
💥 Make sure to set regular meeting times. |
Contactable during business hours; faster responses |
| Maintenance Services |
Usually no ongoing support (or requires extra fees) |
Offers long-term maintenance and technical support |
5 Essential Questions When Requesting a Quote
Before formalizing the agreement, be sure to confirm the following with the developer to avoid hidden costs or future issues:
- Quote Scope: Does it include design, development, testing, and maintenance?
- Technical Stack: Which programming languages and frameworks will be used? Will you receive the source code?
- SEO & Responsive Design: Is SEO optimization built in, and will the site adapt to mobile devices?
- Maintenance & Warranty: Is there a free support period? What does maintenance cover?
- Exit Strategy: If you choose not to renew, can you fully transfer the site ownership?
Website Cost Breakdown
The basic components of website build and maintenance costs include:
- Hosting Fees: Hosting is like the “land” where your site resides.
💥 You can opt for cloud hosting/VPS, but pricing, billing methods, and management complexity differ—choose based on your needs.
- Domain Registration: The “address” that users remember to visit your site.
- Design & Development Fees: The “builder and labor” costs for site structure, visual design, and functionality development.
- Maintenance Fees: The “caretaker” fees for regular site checks, backups, and updates to ensure smooth operation.
- SSL Certificate: The “security guard” that encrypts data transfer.
💥 Free SSL certificates are available; choose your certificate authority carefully.
💥 Payment frequency:
- (One-time) Design & Development Fees
- (Annual) Hosting Fees
- (Annual) Domain Registration Fees
- (Annual) SSL Certificate Fees
- (Annual) Maintenance Fees
Costs may vary. Here is a sample configuration for reference (based on data from 遠振資訊):
| Item |
One-Time |
Annual |
Notes |
| Website Build Fee |
NT$100,000 |
— |
Design & development |
| Maintenance Fee |
— |
NT$10,000 |
Estimated at 10% of build cost |
| Hosting |
— |
NT$4,000 |
Linux SSD, single domain |
| Domain Registration |
— |
NT$680 |
.tw |
| SSL Certificate |
— |
NT$900 |
Certum plan / DV |
| Subtotal |
NT$100,000 |
NT$15,580 * |
Annual fees recur each year |
* Some providers include additional services in their maintenance fees—be sure to clarify!
Market Rates for Web Development
The following are market rate references for different types of websites:
| Year |
Source |
Fully Custom |
Semi-Custom (Template) |
Template-Only |
| 2025 |
戰國策 |
NT$175,000 – NT$548,000 |
NT$55,000 – NT$228,000 |
NT$38,000 – NT$93,000 |
| 2025 |
新視野 |
NT$300,000 – NT$600,000 |
NT$30,000 – NT$50,000 |
NT$20,000 – NT$50,000 |
| 2021 |
Skycar |
From NT$100,000 |
NT$50,000 – NT$200,000 |
NT$10,000 – NT$200,000 |
Conclusion
Building a website is not just about price; you must also evaluate technical expertise, service scope, and maintenance capability. Choosing the right development partner will help your business successfully launch the site and ensure its ongoing stability. We hope this guide helps you find the best web development solution!
