Sometimes, people get stuck on price when they consider creating a new website or redesigning an existing one, but choosing the right designer for your needs shouldn’t only be a matter of cost. Today, we’re going to go over 6 points that can make a “cheaper” web design very costly for you and your business.
While you may have a limited budget, there’s still a big difference between experienced agencies that are affordable — when you consider the benefits your site will give you — and those that are simply cheap.
But first, what is a cheaper or cheap product?
Cheap as defined in the dictionary means: costs very little; relatively low price; inexpensive. It can also mean: of little account; of small value; in short, of poor quality.
The important point to remember here is that these are all words you don’t really want to associate with a website that is the online representation of your business and your brand. It’s also imperative to understand that by cheap, we don’t mean affordable.
Think of it like buying a new house. A cheaply built house is one where the contractor skimped on materials and cut corners wherever they could save money, which could mean things aren’t up to code and the walls hide underlying problems; but hey, the price is low.
An affordable site may not have all the bells and whistles you’d ideally want, but at the same time, the website’s construction and underlying code are very solid and problem-free, allowing for future additions and no worries about hidden problems concealed behind the walls and under the floor. Now, without further ado, let’s go over the 6 points in question:
1- The lack or absence of support
One problem many people have encountered with cheap designs or agencies that provide low-priced services is that they’re stuck with a very low quality of support. This can range from communication about the site, meeting deadlines, ongoing support for questions or problems, and even correcting errors that occur down the road and for which the agency should be responsible. Time is money and you need an operational site that’s functional to make you money, and you don’t want to waste time chasing after your designer to get answers or help.
2- Being stuck with the intern
Some agencies can talk a good game and have a nice portfolio of work to show, but on their “special design offers” whose price is designed to get you through the door, you don’t get the benefit of working with their experienced staff, but instead get entry-level designers or interns handling your business. It can almost be like a scam where the experienced salesperson closes the deal with you, but you then realize your project is being handled by the inexperienced intern.
3- A lack of features
Another hidden aspect of cheap web design is the lack of features that often comes with it. Many people end up paying for a second site because, over time, they realize the first, cheaper design is costing them leads and business. How does this happen? There are a number of reasons related to poor features and navigation that push customers to leave your site, mediocre hosting or design platforms that provide unreliable service, or even improper use of SEO that gets your site ignored by Google.
4- The lack of research
A cheap design is most likely tied to a tight time constraint that’s limited to the actual construction of your site, which means no time is spent on research. Research is an essential part of online success these days. How do you create a good site without understanding your business and your industry? How can it be effective without knowing the best lead-generation methods for your demographic? Again, this can affect your ability to generate business, which could be a costly mistake.
5- A quick but dangerous fix
Another problem with a cheap design is that it only offers a quick fix. By now, everyone should understand that a website or web presence is an essential aspect of any business. So in that respect, you can expect to have a website for the life of your business. Naturally, you expect your business to grow and change over its lifetime, and you’ll want a site to grow and evolve with you to meet your needs.
A quick-fix design is just that; like throwing a coat of paint on a wall to cover the cracks rather than taking the time to repair the house’s foundation, which will lead to future cracks. A good design lays the foundation for the future by using good code and design techniques to allow growth and match your long-term goals as well as short-term needs.
6- The lack of originality
While this isn’t a big problem for some people, it is for many. Who wants to be like everyone else? In the business world, using a cookie-cutter design that lacks originality isn’t only cheap, but will also affect how people perceive your business and your brand. How does using an unoriginal design set your business apart and show people that you’re different or better than the competition? Many times, people make a decision about a business solely from their online presence; if that presence costs you business, that’s another costly mistake.
In conclusion, the bottom line is that your website is an essential part of any business and can be a key element of your business plan, your method of generating leads and closing sales. While an inexpensive design may save money upfront, our 6 points that can make a “cheaper” web design very costly show just how much those initial savings can cost your business a lot of money in the long run.
If you’d like to build a website at an affordable price while avoiding these 6 points or improve the design of your current website that suffers from one of these problems, don’t hesitate to contact us.