THE TRUE COST OF CHEAP WEBSITES
I don’t think a week goes by that I don’t get an enquiry where the client admits that they’ll go with the cheapest quote. A few days ago I had one such lead where I gave a ballpark price and the response was, ‘Oh, but apparently some people can do that job for $250.’ The fact of the matter is anyone claiming to be cheap isn’t going to be any good—and the staggering amount of people out their brazenly offering ‘cheap websites’ only compound the problem, making people think if you’re paying the kind of rates a true professional would charge, you’re being ripped off.
In this post I intend to explain why cheap websites are actually more expensive. So, why is that?
’THERE’S NO SUCH THINGA S A FREE LUNCH’
We’ve all heard the phrase before; something that seems like a bargain often comes with a catch. Websites are no different and if you’re paying someone peanuts what will the monkey behind the computer be doing for you? Design–wise you’ll probably get someone lacking in creativity or someone who will rehash a template they’ve used for a thousand other clients. The site will be hosted on a budget server that is sluggish and falls over every five minutes. And if you get a cheap quote from an agency be sure to check the small print in the contract to make sure they’re not going to sting you with inflated monthly retainers. And as I’ve discussed before, beware of getting your site built overseas.
CREDIBILITY DAMAGE
A cheap website could cost your company its credibility. If people complain that a quote is too expensive I always recommend no website over a cheap one. It now goes without saying that whenever you have a meeting, call a potential lead, conduct a seminar or hand out a business card the first thing your potential new customer or client will do is look at your website and the quality of the site will shape their perception of your company. As much as a good website can bag you that new client, a poor one can make them go elsewhere.
IT’S DONE ON PRICE, NOT VALUE
A cheap website will make little or no consideration of marketing or return on investment (ROI). When everything is geared towards doing things as quickly and cheaply as possible they really don’t have the time or the inclination to think about how this site is going to make your business money.
POTENTIAL LOSS OF SALES/ENQUIRIES
A poorly built website will ultimately lose you sales and enquiries and therefore money. Your website visitors are a highly impatient bunch. If they can’t find what they’re looking for in seconds (literally) or get the wrong vibe from your website, they’ll leave. It’s as simple as that.
POOR CUSTOMER SUPPORT IS THEIR GUARANTEE
No webdesigner who is going to need to spend 40 hours on a $250 website can begin to lay claim to good customer service. The truth is, besides not putting the time and energy into the site required you can be certain that they are going to want to do one of two things. They are either going to try to get you in and out of the door as fast as possible (one way to do this is charge you for ‘revisions’ or changes to their poor first design). The other option is, is that they were desperate at the time, meaning they were more interested in the $250 sum of money than working on the project. You will pay this designer, and then they will take lengthy periods of time to get back to you. If this is the case, you can expect it to take anywhere from 6months to a year for a site that should only take a few days for someone who is knowledgeable and interested.
THE LONGER ROAD TO GETTING IT DONE PROPERLY
I’ve ‘fixed’ so many websites over the years. Most people who get a cheap website done soon realise that you get what you pay for and for a combination of the reasons above will end up getting it rebuilt. Simple mathematics tells you that ‘cheap website’ + ‘proper website’ costs more than ‘proper website’ on its own.
HOW TO AVOID GETTING RIPPED OFF
• Ask yourself, if a designer is willing to work for less than minimum wage how good could they be - especially since there are tons of designers and firms that charge a much larger price, yet still have lots of clients?
• Anyone who doesn’t specify a time-frame for the site to be finished. This is a sign they aren’t in any hurry.
• A sloppy contract or lack of contract - if you can’t see the fine print and be sure that you aren’t going to be taken for an expensive ride, or that you can request refunds, then chances are you are about to be charged up the ‘wazooo’. The lack of contract allows them to hold files, refuse to make changes, take as long as possible and tack on extra charges.
• Read the small print. Make sure you have complete control over the designs (so they can’t reuse them, and you know you aren’t getting someone else’s design). Check that there is no additional monthly fees.
• Take a good look at their portfolio - does it all look the same? If so, chances are they use templates.
• Technical Jargon. A transparent designer doesn’t speak in jargon - they will tell you EXACTLY what they are doing and what you are getting. If you can’t understand what they are saying and they are using a bunch of technical words without explanation - chances are they are trying to trick you.
• Look At Their Promotional Material and Website - this work is what they consider to be the best they have. If it isn’t very good - well chances your stuff won’t look very good either.
