We all know how important it is to keep an eye on budgets when you’re running a business. There are always things competing for your attention and investment, so choosing an affordable web design option can seem like a sensible way to save some money, and in some cases, it is. The problem is when a low upfront cost turns into an expensive problem in the future.
The most expensive website you’ll ever build is the one you have to build twice.
Your website should do more than simply look good and sit online. It should help people find your business, understand what you offer and, ultimately, encourage them to get in touch or make a purchase.
If it’s not doing those things, the initial saving might not be as valuable as it first seemed.
 In this blog, we’ll unveil the real cost of a cheap website and how to get the most out of your budget.
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How do you know if your website isn’t working as it should?
It isn’t always easy to spot when your website isn’t performing as well as it could. You might have a website that looks great on the surface, but if people aren’t finding it, aren’t staying for long or aren’t getting in touch, there could be something holding it back.
Some things to keep an eye on include:
- Little or no growth in website traffic
- Search rankings that aren’t improving
- Visitors leaving your website quickly
- Fewer enquiries or sales than you’d expect
- Slow-loading pages
- Difficulty making simple updates
Of course, seeing one of these points doesn’t automatically mean you need a new website, but if you’re noticing several of these issues, it might be worth taking a closer look at how your website is really performing.
A bargain isn’t always better
At Bubble, we know that not every business needs a huge, bespoke website with a big budget behind it. For some businesses, a small, single landing page website with strong lead capture techniques can be a perfectly good solution. If your requirements are straightforward, there’s no reason to spend more than you need to.
The important thing is understanding where your money is being saved.
If you’re getting a lower price because the website is being built efficiently, that’s great, but if the price is lower because important things such as planning, performance, SEO, security or future growth have been overlooked, that’s when you may run into problems.
A website can work perfectly well when it first launches and still become frustrating to manage or update six months or a year later.
Website refresh vs rebuild
Not every website needs to be completely rebuilt. Sometimes, a good refresh can make a huge difference. Updating the design, improving the content, making the site easier to use and fixing any technical issues might be all that’s needed to improve visibility and conversion rates, while other websites may have deeper problems that make a rebuild the better option.
Before deciding what to do next, it’s best to figure out what might actually be causing the problems. A good web design agency should be able to talk you through this and help you work out the best approach, rather than automatically telling you that you need a brand new website.
So, how could you avoid making a potentially costly mistake?
When you’re comparing web design quotes, it’s natural to look at the price first, but there are a few other questions we would recommend asking before making your decision:
How long will the website take?
A quick turnaround isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but if the price and timescale both seem too good to be true, it’s worth asking what’s included. A good website needs time for planning, content, design, development and testing. You want to make sure you’re not simply getting something that’s been put together quickly to get it live.
Is it a custom or template website?
Both options can work well depending on the scope of your business. Templates can be a great way to get a professional website without a big investment, while bespoke websites offer more flexibility and are built to evolve with your business.
What happens after the website goes live?
Don’t forget about looking after your website once it’s launched. Ask about training, hosting, security, updates and ongoing support. Knowing who to turn to if something goes wrong can save you a lot of time and hassle later on.
Will I be able to update the website myself?
It’s worth knowing how easy it will be to make simple changes, add services or publish blog posts. If every small update means contacting your web designer, the costs can quickly add up. A website you can confidently manage yourself can save you both time and money.
How much do they want to know about your business?
A good web designer should want to understand your business, your customers and what you want your website to do. If they’re asking about your goals, your audience and what makes your business different, it’s a good sign they’re building a website around your needs rather than simply putting together a generic website.
Your website is about more than the initial price
We’re not suggesting you should always choose the most expensive web designer, and we’re certainly not saying that affordable websites can’t work well for your business. It’s simply worth looking beyond the initial price and thinking about what you’re getting for your investment.
A website that costs a little more to build but is easier to manage, performs well and can grow with your business could save you money in the long run. Investments are about thinking long term, and the cost of a website isn’t just what you pay to have it built, it’s also the time spent managing it, the cost of fixing problems, the money spent making changes and, most importantly, the business it helps you win.
So, how much should you spend on a new website or redesign?
We get asked this question a lot, and it all depends on several factors such as the scope of the website, the features required, and the level of customisation needed.Â
At Bubble, we build websites that work for your budget and business goals.
We know that investing in a website can be a big expense, that’s why we offer flexible part payment plans to spread the cost and make it a little easier. Our dedicated team of web designers and developers will work with you at every step to create a website that suits your business, fits your budget and looks great. Focusing on creating a website that performs well, targets your audience and increases conversion rates through enquiries.
Where should you invest in your website?
The essentials for a successful website
Every business is different, so knowing where to spend your budget can make all the difference. To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of key website features worth considering to help your site perform at its best and get the most out of your investment:
- Logical structure
- Professional copy
- Strong visual design
- Good SEO foundations
- Lead capture and conversion best practices
- Accessibility
- Security
- Analytics
- Ongoing maintenance and support
- Quality photography (if this is important for your target audience)
- Any integrations you require, such as connecting to your CR
Your website should do more than just look good. It should help your business grow, generate leads and give users a smooth and enjoyable browsing experience.Â
In summary, what is the real cost of cheap web design?
Let’s say your website has been live for a year or two. Your rankings aren’t where you’d like them to be, you’re not getting as many enquiries as you’d hoped and making changes to the website feels like more trouble than it’s worth. Eventually, you decide it’s time for a refresh or complete rebuild. At that point, you’re not just paying for a new website. You may also need to spend time finding old images, rewriting content and working out what can be kept from the existing site.
There may also be technical jobs to consider, such as moving content, setting up redirects, checking integrations and making sure important SEO information isn’t lost during the transition, and that’s where the real cost of a cheap website can become clear.
The initial saving may have seemed worthwhile, but if your website isn’t helping you attract customers and improve conversion rates, becomes difficult to manage and eventually needs replacing, the true cost can be much higher than the original price tag.Â
When choosing a web design package, it’s worth remembering that you’re paying for more than just a website. You’re investing in the experience of designers, developers, copywriters and SEO specialists who know how to build a website that looks great, works well and helps your business grow. At Bubble, we want your website to be something you can feel proud of and that keeps working hard for your business. Our relationship doesn’t end when your website goes live, that’s just the beginning! We’re here to support you, help you grow and make sure your website continues to work for you long after launch.
Want to make sure your next website is built around your business? Get in touch with the Bubble team today to find out more about our web design services.
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