You have five quotes on the table, all promising the same thing —"more visibility, more customers"—, price ranges from absurd to impossible and no clear way to compare what you actually get. Choosing an agency is not about the smartest logo: it is deciding who will talk about your business online for the next year.
Before you ask for quotes: define what you want
Half of all bad experiences start here. If you do not know which problem you are solving, every proposal looks reasonable.
- Do you want to be found, or to be bought from? Two different jobs: showing up on Google Maps is about the listing and proximity; selling through the website is about trust, photos and the buying process.
- Who is your real customer? Marbella mixes residents, second-home owners, tourists and service businesses. An agency that does not know who you are talking to will write for "everyone".
- What budget and timeline do you have? With clear numbers you can compare proposals; without them, every quote looks expensive or cheap depending on the day.
The questions that separate an agency from a salesperson
These six need no preparation: the way they are answered already tells you a lot.
| Question | The answer that builds trust |
|---|---|
| What will you measure? | Calls, forms, listing views, enquiries. Concrete numbers, not "reach". |
| What can you not control? | The exact map position, Google's changes and the competition nearby. |
| Who writes the copy? | People who understand your sector and interview you, not a template generator. |
| What if I want out? | No lock-in, with the website and access details in your name from day one. |
| When is the first report? | A specific date, not "we will see". |
| Can I speak to a client? | Yes, or at least show work you can verify yourself. |
Warning signs
"We will put you first"
Nobody can guarantee you the top spot on the map: the order depends on relevance, distance and prominence, and changes with who is searching.
A price with no breakdown
A monthly fee that does not say what it includes or how many hours it covers is a black box. Ask for the detail in writing.
Long lock-ins
Compulsory twelve-month contracts are often a way of keeping an unhappy client.
The website is not yours
If the domain or hosting sits in the agency's name, changing provider becomes a rescue mission.
How to compare three quotes without losing your mind
Always compare like with like. If one proposal includes a website and another does not, you are not comparing prices: you are comparing different things.
- List what is included: website, Google listing, reviews, articles, social, advertising. Tick each box across the three proposals.
- Check the timeline: a site promised "in a week" and delivered in two months already tells you how they work.
- Ask about ownership: domain, hosting and access in your name is the difference between being a client and being a hostage.
- Request a sample report: you will see what data you get and whether they can explain it.
Reference prices so you don't lose your bearings
Having a starting point helps you spot proposals out of scale. Ours are fixed and published.
- Web design: €180 + VAT for one page, €350 + VAT for up to five pages without a shop and €450 + VAT for an online shop. Usually delivered in 5 to 7 working days.
- Local SEO: €150/month + VAT for the Local Pack (Google Maps listing) and €250/month + VAT for the Content Pack (listing plus articles), with no lock-in.
- AI agents and software: tailored quote, because every process is different.
Why Solaris
We are a small agency in Marbella: we publish prices, work without lock-in and explain what we do in plain words. If something is outside what we do, we say so before you sign.
Compare, ask questions and be suspicious of easy promises. If you end up choosing us, you will know exactly why.