Building a website can be an expensive process, especially for small businesses.However, there are some affordable website tips that can help streamline the process and make your website design experience much more cost-effective without looking cheap. Here are 3Circle Media’s top 5 affordable website tips that can help a business of any size save money on a new website.
Don’t Build Your Own Website
You don’t make your own clothes or furniture so why would you make your own website? Many small business owners have been fooled by companies such as Wix and Squarespace into thinking that website design is something that everyone can do. It’s not and here’s why: good website design isn’t just having your name and a URL on the Internet. An effective website combines thoughtful design maximized for user experience, calls to action, search engine optimization (SEO) and more. Website designers know this because this is their business. You are going to lose valuable time and money that could be spent growing your business if you try to build your own website. Fact.
Know What Your Goals Are For Your New Website
Are you looking to increase brand awareness or generate sales? Do you want to tell your customers about some exciting new developments in your business? Before you begin the website design process, put some thought into your website goals. Not knowing what you hope to achieve from your website can be very costly both in the short and long term. Going into the website building process with a plan helps your website designer know what your business goals are so they can help you achieve these goals.
Have Some Designs In Mind
Website revisions can be extremely costly and time-consuming for small businesses. Before you meet with your website company, have a list of 5-7 websites that you like both for design and messaging. It’s fine to list your competitors websites – in fact you should! That helps us get a feel for your market and the designs and content that are common to your business.
Use An Existing Website Theme
Custom websites are expensive and really not necessary unless you are have a big company with complex needs. Website themes are the way to go for small businesses because they often have the look and feel of a custom site for a fraction of the cost. One of our go-to themes is Divi by Elegant Themes. The reason we love Divi is that it is a modular based theme meaning you can pick and choose the elements for individual pages with a simple drag and drop system. This makes adding content a breeze for small business owners. Themeforest also has some designs that work especially well for small businesses. Don’t be swayed by the lure of an expensive custom site – save that for down the road when your business hits the big time!
Know The Price Going In
In order to keep your website affordable, know all of the costs before you start on the project. Are there hourly costs for client meetings or revisions? Does the quoted price include design or just development? Are SEO services and maintenance covered in the proposal cost? Not knowing the answers to these questions can significanlty increase the price of your website.
3Circle Media specializes in affordable website design for small businesses. Contact us today for a free quote.
