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Learn a revenue-focused framework to evaluate website development proposals, estimate total cost of ownership, and prioritize tracking and CRO for US stores.
Compare build, hosting, and ongoing optimization to estimate real TCO.
Require GA4, server-side tagging, and attribution tests in every proposal.
Use a weighted matrix focused on revenue impact and technical ownership.
Choosing a website development solution is more than comparing hourly rates or flat fees. For Shopify, WooCommerce, or B2B sites in the United States, the right decision aligns technical scope with revenue goals: lower CAC, higher LTV, and measurable profit. This guide shows how to evaluate proposals, identify hidden costs, and compare value across vendors and in-house teams.
Use this checklist when you receive a proposal. It separates price from value and surfaces assumptions that create scope creep.
Common pricing models influence incentives and risk allocation. Understand how each aligns with your goals:
| Item | Small Shopify Store | Mid-market WooCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Initial build | $6,000-$12,000 | $15,000-$40,000 |
| Monthly hosting / infra | $20-$150 | $50-$600 |
| Ongoing dev / optimization (monthly) | $1,000-$4,000 | $3,000-$10,000 |
Estimates are US-focused and indicative; actual costs vary by complexity and vendor. Use these ranges to sanity-check proposals and plan budgets.
A development proposal should include analytics and attribution setup. Without server-side tracking and GA4 properly configured, your reported conversions may be lower than actual revenue impact. For technical background, see Prebo Digital services and the agency approach on analytics at about page.
Visitor → (Client site) → Browser events (GTM) → Server-side endpoint → GA4 / BI - Client triggers purchase event - GTM collects and forwards to server-side - Server-side enriches and forwards to GA4 and ad platforms
When proposals omit measurement or compliance steps, estimate an extra 10-30% of the project budget for those items. Explore the strategic framework used for projects like this in the Prebo Digital homepage overview: Prebo Digital.
Create a weighted scoring matrix that reflects your priorities (revenue impact, speed to market, technical ownership, and tracking accuracy). Example weights: Revenue impact 30%, Technical quality 25%, Tracking & attribution 20%, Price 15%, Support 10%.
| Criteria | Weight | Vendor A | Vendor B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue impact | 30% | 4 | 3 |
| Tracking & attribution | 20% | 5 | 2 |
Weighted scores help remove bias toward lower upfront price and highlight vendors that invest in tracking and CRO - often the biggest drivers of ROI.
Ask vendors to map features to this funnel. If a proposal emphasizes TOF but offers no BOF optimization, anticipate conversion leakage and add CRO work to the budget.
A $30,000 mid-market build added server-side tracking and a one-month CRO sprint. Measured uplift: a conservative 8% increase in conversion rate across the checkout funnel. At an average order value of $80, that translated to meaningful incremental revenue. Use the same approach when estimating ROI for any proposal: map expected uplift to $ revenue and compare against TCO.
To explore a structured vendor assessment tailored to ecommerce or B2B sites, explore the framework and see a real-world example that matches your stack. If you want a concise review of recommended services for web builds, see our consolidated services overview: Services overview. For project scope or governance questions, the Prebo Digital contact page outlines engagement approaches: Contact.
This guide is designed for US-based founders, growth managers, and store owners who prioritise revenue and accurate attribution over vanity metrics. Use the scoring matrix and checklist to compare proposals objectively and budget for tracking and CRO to protect your revenue. Explore the framework or see a real-world example to apply these steps to your store.
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Marion is an award-winning content creator with over a decade of experience crafting high-impact B2B and B2C content strategies. Her content journey began in the mid-00s as a journalist and copywriter, focusing on pop culture, fashion, and business for various online and print publications. As the Content Lead at Prebo Digital, Marion has driven significant increases in engagement, page views, and conversions by employing a creative approach that spans ideation, strategy and execution in organic and paid content.
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only. Product availability, pricing, and specifications are subject to change. Always verify current details on the retailer's website before making a purchase. We may earn affiliate commissions from qualifying purchases.
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