By Tanya Ganian · · 3 min readWeb design services usually include website planning, page layouts and visual design, mobile-friendly pages, navigation, contact forms, page building, testing and launch help. Copywriting, SEO, branding, photography, booking or e-commerce features, translation and maintenance are often extra. Every proposal is different, so ask for a written list of what's included and what isn't.
What's normally included in web design?
Short answer: the structure, look and build of your site. Depending on the company and package, that usually means:
- Website planning and page structure
- Page layouts and visual design
- Mobile-friendly (responsive) design
- Navigation menus
- Contact forms
- Building the agreed pages
- Testing on phones, tablets and browsers
- Launch assistance
Nothing should be assumed. Every proposal is different.
What might cost extra?
| Often included | Often extra |
|---|---|
| Planning and structure | Professional copywriting |
| Visual design | Search engine optimization (SEO) |
| Mobile layouts | Logo and branding |
| Contact forms | Photography and video |
| Testing | Online booking or e-commerce |
| Launch help | Translation (French and English) |
| — | Advanced integrations and maintenance |
What about SEO?
Some designers include basic SEO setup: page titles, headings and a search-friendly structure. Others don't include SEO at all. And basic setup isn't the same as ongoing SEO work like content, links and local visibility. Ask whether keyword research shapes the page plan; if not, read why SEO and web design should be planned together.
What should you receive at the end?
At a minimum, clarify that you'll receive:
- Administrative access to the website
- Ownership of the site, domain and content
- All relevant account logins (hosting, domain, analytics)
- Instructions for making simple updates
The bottom line
Always ask for a written breakdown of what's included and what's excluded. It can save you a lot of frustration and unexpected costs later.
For typical prices, see how much professional web design costs. Our own web design packages list exactly what's included, SEO planning among them.
Frequently asked questions
Does web design include content writing?
Not always. Many designers expect you to provide the text. Professional copywriting is often a separate line item, so ask before you sign.
Does web design include hosting and a domain?
Sometimes. Either way, make sure the domain and hosting accounts are registered in your name so you keep control of your site.
Is SEO included in web design?
Basic SEO setup is sometimes included, such as titles, headings and a clean structure. Keyword research and ongoing SEO are usually separate.