What is affordable web design, and does it add value to your business?

On August 6 1991, the world’s first website went online. This is the earliest copy from 1992. Take a look. It ran on a NeXT computer at the European Organization for Nuclear Research, CERN.

It’s an understatement to say the idea caught on. Now in 2021, there is an estimated ocean of 1.8 billion websites online. Is adding yet another website, one that represents your business, a value for money investment or just a 30-year-old tradition that belonged to an online world before social networks?

Does your business even need a website?

There is no getting around the fact that social media has completely revolutionised the way that we connect with customers and it is an invaluable part of any marketing strategy. However, it has its limits.  

A bespoke and professional website can build credibility for your business in a way that social media cannot. Without a website, people may even question your legitimacy as a business. Websites provide an opportunity to make a great first impression and reassure people that you are who you say you are.

Even if most of your customers found you on social media, the chances are they visited your website to make sure you are a “real business” before committing their time and money.

So, whilst there is no denying that a website is no longer a novel or ground-breaking way to connect with customers, it builds confidence in your brand and in the services you offer. It’s the bricks and mortar of the digital world.

Still need convincing? Check out the Digital Branding Institute’s article about if businesses really need websites

Is it difficult to get online? 

Not so long ago, web design belonged to a small group of HTML and JavaScript experts. Not so anymore. Whilst programmers can offer superb and highly responsive websites, this is not the only good option on the table. WordPress® sites have opened a more accessible door into this world and companies such as Wix® and Squarespace with their ready-made templates have opened that door even further.

Web Design KSM

Are the self-build platforms the way to go? 

DIY website building platforms promise low costs and slick interfaces that anyone can use to get their business online. 

As appealing as that sounds, building a professional looking website takes time. Using a predesigned template and just changing the text and images will just make your business look like a clone of thousands of others who have done the same. So if you choose to build the site yourself, be prepared to spend many hours creating and choosing the content, making it look and work the way you want it to. Carefully creating something unique and convincing requires an investment of time and effort. This makes self-build platforms more expensive than they initially appear. There is a lot to be said for focusing on running your business instead of getting bogged down designing a website. 

The lower priced plans also tend to offer low bandwidth. This could frustrate customers as they wait for your page to load, and the unusually long URLs often give away the fact that it’s a self-build site. Not Ideal in terms of customer confidence. All these issues can be resolved, but for a significant fee. Doesn’t that defeat the object of looking for affordable web design?

Affordable Webb Design £80

Can I afford a bespoke website? 

Increased competition means prices can vary dramatically. Expert Market have a fairly comprehensive guide on custom-built website costs. Their 4 categories of Basic, Small Business, Ecommerce, and Database-driven range in price from £200 to an eye-watering £10,000! 

What can we offer you at KSM Web Design?

We pride ourselves on offering bespoke websites for a fraction of the cost. 
Our very low upfront costs and low monthly maintenance fees include: 

  • personalised service
  • custom URL
  • security
  • hosting

We manage to match the low prices of self-build platforms while developing tailor-made, professional websites for our customers. This means you can focus on what really matters to you – your business!

If this is the future of affordable web design, I like it.  

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