If you are in the market for a new website and you’ve seen an ad for a bespoke website under £1000, you may feel ready to hand over your hard-earned cash in anticipation of your wondrously unique new online marketing tool.
Before you do, it’s important to establish whether you’ve struck gold, the result being a cost-effective website that performs and is truly yours or whether you’re about to make a costly mistake and buy into cheap website design being passed off as something else. Ask yourself: “Is this too good to be true?”.
It can be tempting for a small or new business with a tighter budget to opt for what appears to be a bargain; however, it’s important to avoid website design cowboys who make claims they cannot honour.
Read on for actionable tips on how to make sure you are choosing a reputable provider.
The risks of low-cost providers
Providers offering a bespoke website under £1000, or even more surprisingly a website under £500, are out there. Of course, there are reputable website designers around who may be running a promotion or who may be starting out and need to attract clients to gain experience.
So, what are the affordable website design risks?
Poor quality design and development
Low-cost providers often cut corners with generic templates and poor coding practices. A lack of customisation is highly likely to mean your website will look no different to others in your area and industry, and of course, the whole point of having a website at all is to stand out from your competition. Fewer customisation opportunities can also negatively impact user experience optimisation. Remember, the whole point of a bespoke website is that is it designed from the ground up, specifically for you. There should be absolutely no restrictions on customisation.
Limited functionality
Cheap bespoke websites might also lack essential features, such as mobile responsiveness, or come with a lack of functionality that may put users off. In this digital age, where prospects are increasingly using their phones to search for their next purchase, it’s crucial a website is mobile responsive. If it’s not, it’s almost a certainty that you’ll miss sales opportunities.
Lack of ongoing support
Website design cowboys might disappear after delivery, leaving businesses without updates, maintenance or troubleshooting support. This can lead to frustration as your business misses opportunities and you’re left with a website that simply doesn’t work.
Hidden costs
Some providers upsell basic features or charge extra for necessary functionality, making the total cost higher than initially advertised, making so-called ‘cheap bespoke website design’ not so cheap after all. Add to this that you are likely to have to pay a professional to put right mistakes that have been made – or even create a brand new fully functioning website – and ‘cheap’ can suddenly become very expensive.
Damage to your brand
A poorly designed and functioning website can harm a business’s credibility and drive away potential clients. You only get one chance to make a good first impression. Your website should reflect your business in the most favourable of lights, around the clock.
The benefits of investing in a professional solution
High-quality design and functionality
A professional provider will deliver tailored designs that align with a business’s brand and goals. All features and functions needed to maximise opportunities will have been thought through at the planning stage, so you can be sure your bespoke website is unique, truly yours and that it’s quite literally working for you.
Long-term value
The return on investment (ROI) from a well-built website that attracts and retains clients makes choosing the right provider crucial for long-term success.
Ongoing support and maintenance
Working with a reliable partner for updates, security and growth will give you peace of mind. You will need them to show up for you every time – when you have a concern, question or idea, and when they spot a potential issue or opportunity. You need to know you can count on them to be there for you, responding immediately every time you need them; and you need them to be proactive, to have your back. A good provider will do all of this, and more.
Scalability and futureproofing
Professional websites are built to grow with a business, accommodating new features and functionalities over time. This negates the need to have to renew your website frequently to keep up with technical changes or make enhancements.
Tips to avoid website cowboys
To help you establish the good guys from the cowboys, these ‘how to’ choose the right partner for your bespoke website tips should help:
Research providers thoroughly
It may seem obvious but make sure you look at their own website. If something looks off, if they’re not selling their own services well, then it’s very likely they won’t be able to sell yours. Check reviews, testimonials and portfolios. Verify the legitimacy of their business.
Ask the right questions
For example: “What’s included in the price?”, “Do you offer ongoing support?”, “How do you ensure the website is secure and futureproof?”. Have all your questions worked out before you approach providers, and if you’re shopping around, ask them all the same things. The answers they give will indicate how professional they are and how you feel about working with each of them.
Beware of unrealistic promises
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Steer clear of those with red flags, such as: ‘lifetime hosting for free’ or ‘guaranteed Google #1 ranking’.
Look for transparency
Reputable providers offer clear, itemised pricing and contracts.
Prioritise experience and expertise
Choose providers with a proven track record of delivering high-quality, bespoke websites. Thoroughly investigate their portfolio.
Why choosing us is worth it
There’s not a single Stetson in sight at WEBPRO. Every team member is chosen for their exceptionally high standards – their dedication to client care, their love of website design and development, their experience and skill sets, their commitment to quality and strong values.
With expertise in bespoke website design, with WEBRO, you’ll get a team that is by your side for the long-term.
Hundreds of satisfied clients have invested in our solutions and have been delighted with the results. As you look through our website, you’ll see plenty of evidence of this.
We are proud to say that we are worlds away from the unscrupulous low-cost providers who don’t have their clients’ best interest at heart.
