What to consider when reviewing website project quotes
I was recently on a Clubhouse chat where someone was venting about the price of websites. She was lost after having reached out to a few different designers (myself not included) and was confused as to why one person quoted her $500, another had said he could do it for $4000 and the third quote came in at $7800.
Why, she asked me, were they so different?
Such a good question because at the end of the day, she requested the same end result from each of them: a functioning and performing website.
While I may not be able to tell you what went into the quotes of those designers, I can tell you what to consider when reviewing proposals and why those prices likely varied.
You (Often) Get What You Pay For
I speak with many new business owners starting out and needing to be mindful of budget. That’s why it’s easy to get swayed by someone offering (in this case) a $500 website. But I can assure you that those cheap websites come with hidden expenses. They lack the strategy and thought that goes into a successful, converting website. Then business owners have to start from scratch 6-12 months down the road when their website just isn’t performing.
Not all websites are created equal
Sounds simple enough but, there is so much room for error when designing and developing a website; it’s imperative that you are working with the right company. This means you need someone in your corner who understands your overall goals and how to use your website to achieve them, both from a design psychology perspective, as well as a technical one as well. The wrong company could have you losing money, when the goal is of course, to grow the business.
Characteristics of a CLC Website Site*
*And what any legit web pro should offer
- Designed with your specific business goals in mind. I cannot stress this enough. Your business is unique; you need your website to not only convey that, but also perform like it.
- A responsive, mobile-friendly site. All of my sites are designed to shine on a phone, tablet or desktop. But if available to me, I will take it a step further and look at how your existing website is being used so I know how to provide superior user experiences based on device.
- Clear navigation and key info is easy to find. I help guide my clients so the user won’t ever have to work hard to become a customer.
- Coded for search engine optimization. All of my sites are coded in a way that makes Google and other search engines happy. I use my knowledge of technical SEO to bring some immediate value out of the gate by paying attention to things like meta data, image optimization, code structure and more.
The Cost of a Cheap Website
If you’re considering a low-cost website, you may feel like you’re getting a better deal than one that costs $7800. However, the $7800 likely has more thought put into it, leading to more business that the cheaper website may not have brought it.
In the world of websites, the question becomes: which company is going to produce a website that provides the most value for my business? While the lower price tag may catch your budget-minded eye, the final cost of those cheaper websites may ultimately be in the form of customers and sales.
With that in mind, not every new business has $7800 to spend. I get it. This is why there is a market for a $500 site; even a “cheap” website provides some value against nothing at all. But if you can, map out your budget and set aside marketing dollars to get a site that starts returning on the investment immediately. Often times, your business will benefit from some of the automation and heavy lifting of a more strategic website.
Ultimately, the price of a website reflects the strategy and thought that goes into designing and developing a high-performing, high-converting site. Make sure to weigh the value of that when considering different website proposals.