When a cheap website price doesn’t pay off
1. The pros and cons of cheap website.
If you want your business to be successful, you definitely need a website that will represent it on the global net. It is a compulsory tool of web presence that contributes greatly to your profit and popularity among the customers. When launching a new website or making its redesign, companies often deal with a limited budget. Who wouldn’t want to save some money? Especially, if you manage a small business. A low-cost site is a good solution in this case, but in the long run, it doesn’t bring the desired results.
It’s up to you to decide, and if you still have any doubts, we’ll gladly help you to dispel them by covering all pros and cons of a cheap website.
To start with, there are only two advantages of a cheaper website: low cost and quick solution. Companies that are ready to take lower priced projects are not overwhelmed with other opportunities and probably don’t have a big team. So it takes less time for them to get the job done. However, it is far more likely that a quickly made website won’t pay off in future; plus, there are lots of hidden problems as well. Therefore, don’t be misled by the idea that the cheaper, the better. And also, keep in mind that it will cost you less to launch a new website than to redesign the old one. Make sure you know what you are getting for the price you are paying. You definitely don’t want to “buy a pig in a poke”.
So here are the main disadvantages of a low-cost site:
1. Low quality. Such a website will have a poor value for users and a copied content that is generally useless. Thus, this web site won’t be ranked on the first page in search results. Eventually, it gets fewer visitors and loses its popularity.
2. Not original. When dealing with low-cost sites, freelancers and small companies prefer to use pre-made website templates. Those won’t make your site look unique because it will have a similar layout like thousands of other sites on the Web. Moreover, these templates cut the website’s functionality and it won’t cope with your growing needs in the future.
3. Poor design. You should take into account that a standard website design affects its ranking. In addition, a lower-end firm has less qualified specialists. And even if your website layout looks rather good, it still may end up costing your leads, customers and money.
4. Bad code. Clear and consistently written code is a fundamental key for any website. It should be easily modified in case you want to make changes. However, a bad code is usually impossible to manage, and thus, must be re-written, which ends up in bringing you extra expenses and great loss of time.
5. Weak planning and research. As a rule, small companies don’t have a proper expert team to research your business. It means that a website in most cases won’t reflect the core idea of your business to the full extend.
6. Limited resources. Additional resources lead to extra costs. When you choose a cheaper offer, be ready to deal with services that don’t include a full strategy of the website launching: from web-design to inbound marketing. Such companies usually can’t provide a full-range of services needed.
7. No support. When it comes to your site’s redesign, it might be hard to find a new team for its implementation.
8. Missed opportunities. You will get visitors, but you will lack customers. Cheaper agencies have not gained a proper experience to encourage your business growth. Thus, you just pay for their mistakes.
It’s up to you to decide, and if you still have any doubts, we’ll gladly help you to dispel them by covering all pros and cons of a cheap website.
To start with, there are only two advantages of a cheaper website: low cost and quick solution. Companies that are ready to take lower priced projects are not overwhelmed with other opportunities and probably don’t have a big team. So it takes less time for them to get the job done. However, it is far more likely that a quickly made website won’t pay off in future; plus, there are lots of hidden problems as well. Therefore, don’t be misled by the idea that the cheaper, the better. And also, keep in mind that it will cost you less to launch a new website than to redesign the old one. Make sure you know what you are getting for the price you are paying. You definitely don’t want to “buy a pig in a poke”.
So here are the main disadvantages of a low-cost site:
1. Low quality. Such a website will have a poor value for users and a copied content that is generally useless. Thus, this web site won’t be ranked on the first page in search results. Eventually, it gets fewer visitors and loses its popularity.
2. Not original. When dealing with low-cost sites, freelancers and small companies prefer to use pre-made website templates. Those won’t make your site look unique because it will have a similar layout like thousands of other sites on the Web. Moreover, these templates cut the website’s functionality and it won’t cope with your growing needs in the future.
3. Poor design. You should take into account that a standard website design affects its ranking. In addition, a lower-end firm has less qualified specialists. And even if your website layout looks rather good, it still may end up costing your leads, customers and money.
4. Bad code. Clear and consistently written code is a fundamental key for any website. It should be easily modified in case you want to make changes. However, a bad code is usually impossible to manage, and thus, must be re-written, which ends up in bringing you extra expenses and great loss of time.
5. Weak planning and research. As a rule, small companies don’t have a proper expert team to research your business. It means that a website in most cases won’t reflect the core idea of your business to the full extend.
6. Limited resources. Additional resources lead to extra costs. When you choose a cheaper offer, be ready to deal with services that don’t include a full strategy of the website launching: from web-design to inbound marketing. Such companies usually can’t provide a full-range of services needed.
7. No support. When it comes to your site’s redesign, it might be hard to find a new team for its implementation.
8. Missed opportunities. You will get visitors, but you will lack customers. Cheaper agencies have not gained a proper experience to encourage your business growth. Thus, you just pay for their mistakes.
2. How to choose right company
Whether you are planning to launch a new website or redesign the old one, you should think twice before you hire any company. You never know what exactly you will get from website design services you choose. Every company provides a unique approach, has a diverse experience, level of services, final price and overall strategy. So how should you choose the web design company that will meet your expectations? The following clues are intended to help you make that choice:
Research. Try to find as much information about the company as you can. Learn its history, find out how long does the company works and performs its services on the market. Then, check out the company’s portfolio and see if you like all their works. In case you find something you don’t like, apply it to your expected website, what if you get a similar result in the end? Also, remember to view their website to have an idea of the company’s web presence. Read the customers’ reviews. Are they positive? See if this company stays active in social media: out-of-date social presence means that it doesn’t have enough time to cope with all work, and your project probably won’t be an exception. Finally, you should check whether they provide support for the future redesign to ensure long-term relations.
2. Communication. Once you pick several companies, go on and get in touch with them by sending your request and additional information. It helps to define the strategy and working process in general. Pay attention to the way they respond. Consider the time they take to reply, see if they are motivated and analyze their offer.
3. Define questions. There is a list of possible questions that will help you to determine the appropriate firm:
– What is the price of your project? Is it final or is it just estimated?
– How much time will it take to complete the project?
– What is the structure of a company? Do they have all necessary stuff to cover your needs?
– What web-related services do they provide?
– What technologies does the company use? Are they up-to-date?
Once you choose the appropriate firm, make sure they have a detailed contract in order to avoid any misunderstandings and make sure you get exactly what you want for the money you pay.
Research. Try to find as much information about the company as you can. Learn its history, find out how long does the company works and performs its services on the market. Then, check out the company’s portfolio and see if you like all their works. In case you find something you don’t like, apply it to your expected website, what if you get a similar result in the end? Also, remember to view their website to have an idea of the company’s web presence. Read the customers’ reviews. Are they positive? See if this company stays active in social media: out-of-date social presence means that it doesn’t have enough time to cope with all work, and your project probably won’t be an exception. Finally, you should check whether they provide support for the future redesign to ensure long-term relations.
2. Communication. Once you pick several companies, go on and get in touch with them by sending your request and additional information. It helps to define the strategy and working process in general. Pay attention to the way they respond. Consider the time they take to reply, see if they are motivated and analyze their offer.
3. Define questions. There is a list of possible questions that will help you to determine the appropriate firm:
– What is the price of your project? Is it final or is it just estimated?
– How much time will it take to complete the project?
– What is the structure of a company? Do they have all necessary stuff to cover your needs?
– What web-related services do they provide?
– What technologies does the company use? Are they up-to-date?
Once you choose the appropriate firm, make sure they have a detailed contract in order to avoid any misunderstandings and make sure you get exactly what you want for the money you pay.
3. How AMgrade can help
Here in AMgrade, we know how to make the most of your budget and launch an effective website that can evolve your business. We use a special scientific approach that is based on marketing-driven development, which helps us to increase the quality and quantity of your website’s target market. Don’t hesitate to contact us today, and we’ll make sure that you achieve excellent and predicted results while building up your web presence.