Is a template website always the lower-cost option?
It can reduce the initial build effort, especially for a simple site with ready content. It becomes less efficient when the business needs a distinct conversion flow, reliable integrations, unusual content structure or functionality that the template was not designed to support.
Should SEO be part of the initial website scope?
Yes. Page structure, redirects, metadata, content migration, performance and analytics are easier to handle during the build than after a site has already been launched and indexed.
How should a business compare website proposals?
Compare the defined outcome, scope boundaries, content responsibilities, technical ownership, launch process and what happens after launch. A proposal with a lower headline figure can still create more work later if these points are unclear.