There Will Always Be Someone Cheaper
It’s one of the first questions on any business owner's mind when commissioning a new website: "How much will it cost?" In a world full of DIY builders and freelancers promising a professional website for a few hundred pounds, the prices can seem all over the place.
A website shouldn't be a line-item expense you shop for on price, like a new printer. It should be an investment in a powerful business asset designed to generate leads and make you money. It's a classic case of "buy once, buy well."
So, what transforms a website from a simple expense into a genuine business asset? It's not just a collection of pages; it's a complete, results-focused digital foundation built with a proper, professional process.
It Starts with a Strong, SEO-Driven Structure
Many cheap websites look fine on the surface, but underneath, they're an SEO nightmare. They are often built with bloated code, poor structure, and little thought given to how Google will actually read the site.
The process for building a high-value site should always start from the ground up with a focus on good, solid, and honest Search Engine Optimisation. For example, when I built my own recent redesign, the focus was on: * A logical page structure that search engines and users can understand. * Clean code and optimised images for fast loading times. * A mobile-first design that works perfectly on any device.
This isn't a "bolt-on" extra; it's the fundamental blueprint for a successful site. It’s the part you don't see, but it's the most critical factor in getting you found online long-term.
Content That Connects and Converts
A common pitfall is when a developer just asks for "the content" and pastes whatever you send them onto the pages. The problem is, you're an expert in your business, not necessarily in writing persuasive, SEO-friendly web copy.
A good developer's job is to act as a partner; to take your ideas, your knowledge, and your passion, and help turn them into engaging content that connects with your ideal customer. The process should involve creating a logical story on each page, identifying a customer's "pain point" and showing them how you are the solution. This transforms a site from a simple brochure into a 24/7 salesperson.
The Essential "Bolt-Ons" Should Be Standard
A website isn't a standalone object. To be an effective business tool, it needs to be connected to the wider digital ecosystem. These crucial integrations shouldn't be optional extras; they should be part of the core package:
- Analytics Setup: So you can track who is visiting your site and how they found you.
- Google Search Console: The site should be connected to this vital tool, with a sitemap submitted to ensure Google can find and index every page.
- Google Business Profile Integration: Your website must work in perfect harmony with your Google Business Profile to boost your local search visibility.
- An Integrated Blog: Every modern business website needs a blog. It is the single most powerful tool for building trust, authority, and long-term SEO value.
The Secret to a Great Website (and a Fair Price)
Finally, there's a crucial factor that influences the quality of any project: the client-developer relationship. A project can become frustrating and expensive when the process is bogged down by indecision or a lack of trust.
The most successful (and cost-effective) projects happen when you, the client, do one thing: find a developer you trust, give them a clear brief, and then let them get on with their job.
My goal isn't just to build you a website. It's to become a trusted partner who understands your business and can guide you through this process efficiently. By doing that, we create a better website, faster, and deliver real, tangible value for your investment.
So yes, there will always be someone cheaper. But when you're investing in the heart of your online presence, the real question shouldn't be "what's the cheapest I can get?" but "what is the best value I can achieve?"