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Earlier this year, MoneyTalksNews.com listed 14 purchases you should never skimp on. The list starts with insurance, household tools, and cars (remember the Yugo?). Right behind those on their list was Professional Services—and what they had to say definitely applies to web development: “From financial advisers to auto mechanics, you want to spend extra to get someone who knows what they’re doing. It could cost more upfront but will save money in the long run. You’ll also save yourself the aggravation and stress from scrambling to clean up the mess created by a cut-rate professional.”
Our agency has inherited our share of messes from cut-rate professionals, and in some cases the “new” site can be built with such outdated software and so poorly constructed that the best path forward is actually to scrap it and start over. We hate having to deliver that news (and you might be surprised how often it happens).
As with all things in life, you get what you pay for—and hiring a website developer is no different. While it might be tempting to save money up front, keep in mind that your website is the foundation of your brand. If your site doesn’t fulfill its purpose for your business or if it provides a bad experience for your end users, it reflects poorly on your entire organization.
Here are some of the risks you run when you select a developer based solely on price:
Cheap Development Costs More Money In The Long-Run
Would you go to the cheapest hair salon in town for a cut and color before an important formal event? Would you hire the cheapest contractor on Angie’s List to remodel your family’s home? Of course you would…if you want to turn around and spend a ton of money to ‘fix’ them…
The same goes for cheap developers. They’re cheap for a reason. Either because they are just getting started in the industry, or because they aren’t skilled enough to command a higher price. While everyone has to start somewhere, the bottom line is that their inexperience can cost you and your business. Whether you end up with a design that you’re just not happy with, or major UX problems like slow load time or clunky navigation, eventually you’re going to have to spend more money to fix what the inexperienced developer should have done in the first place. You want to hire someone with experience who can guide you through the process and get it done right. And you want someone who is easy to work with, communicates clearly, and works during the same hours that you do, so it doesn’t consume all of your time.
The Problem With Cheap & DIY Website Builders
Cheap and free platforms like GoDaddy and Wix make the claim that anyone can build a website. While that may technically be true, (say it with me)…you get what you pay for.
In addition to being one of the most popular domain registrars, GoDaddy offers cheap hosting services and a free website builder. Unfortunately, most people don’t realize how much their services lack until they get hit with upsells at every turn for what should be basic features. Or until their website slows to a crawl because their site has been put on an overworked shared server. Once you add some simple but essential “add-ons,” you’re paying more than you would for a quality hosting provider like PixelPeople. (Bonus: we also offer maintenance and monitoring services to KEEP your website in tip-top shape!)
On the design side, Wix promises that anyone can build a website without knowing a single line of code. It still does come with a bit of a learning curve, of course, and without devoting a ton of time, you won’t get much more than a basic website or small online store from a self-serve platform. Plus once you select your template, you’re locked in. You have to rebuild your site from the ground up if you decide you want something different. On the technical side, you have no control over hosting, uptime, or updates, and if you want certain functionality or features, you may have to integrate third-party apps. And if something goes wrong? Hopefully a chatbot has a canned answer for you. Not what you want when something goes wrong and your customers are clamoring for service.
Before you know it, DIY can start feeling more like “Why did I?”
A Poor User Experience = A Bad Reputation
This is 2022. As a society, we are high-tech, on-the-go, and very discerning about the brands we give our business to. While your industry will dictate the functionality needed on your website (i.e. a fashion retailer’s e-commerce store needs to be faster, flashier, and more organized than an A/C repair company), your customers’ experience on your website directly impacts your brand’s reputation.
While speed and navigation are critical for an e-commerce store, an A/C repair company needs to have their phone number and contact form prominently displayed on every single page. If a hot homeowner cannot immediately contact the company, they’re off to a competitor’s site without a second thought.
A cheap or inexperienced developer may not know how best practices differ between industries. As a result, you may get a lackluster site that doesn’t perform like potential customers expect it to, which will directly impact your brand—and your bottom line.
PixelPeople Builds Websites Your Business Can Be Proud Of
Custom Web Design & Development is our specialty. We provide modern, responsive web design and custom web development solutions that make it easier for you to communicate, advertise, and sell online. We’ll build your website to be as unique and dynamic as your business. Flexible and expandable, with growth in mind! Contact us today to learn more.
