We believe that small business owners, like those running spas or construction companies, shouldn’t have to pay hefty agency fees for website design. Agencies often pitch full-service packages, from strategy to planning, design, and development. This comprehensive approach can be very costly, with each stage adding to the expense. But there’s a more efficient and affordable way to get a beautiful, professional website. Here’s how:
Simplify the Strategy
The most expensive part of an agency’s service is the strategy. For small businesses, the strategy is straightforward: create a website that gives customers what they need. Keep it simple:
- Home Page: Highlight everything about your business. Include a brief description, key services, examples of your work, and a quick contact section.
- Three Additional Pages: Extend the small blurb from your homepage into three sections:
- About Us: Share more about yourself and your team.
- Services: Detail all your offerings with more examples.
- Contact Page: Provide a form for easy communication.
Streamline the Design
Design costs can skyrocket, especially when UX (User Experience) and UI (User Interface) design are billed separately. While these services are valuable, a local plumber or restaurant doesn’t need an elaborate, step-by-step design process. The goal is to get your website live and seen by more people.
Simplify Development
When a website is designed by a designer, the design then goes to the development team. You might wonder, “Can’t the designer build the website?” While some designers can, typically they don’t. This means the designer has to explain everything to the developer, ensuring alignment with the initial design plan.
Once the website is developed, content needs to be added. This is the implementation stage, and no, the developers usually don’t handle this part. Their job is to make sure the website functions correctly. The designer ensures it looks great. But neither necessarily manages the content. Although you can ask them to include content, changes often occur during the process.
Skip the Hassle, Go Straight to Implementation
Some agencies now offer a direct-to-implementation service. This approach reduces costs by cutting out unnecessary steps for small businesses that just need a good website up and running. If the strategy is clear and straightforward, and your goal is to have a live website, opting for an agency that goes straight to implementation can save you time, stress, and money.
Conclusion
Small business owners don’t need to spend on full agency rates for website design. By simplifying the strategy, streamlining design, and focusing on direct implementation, you can get a professional and beautiful website without breaking the bank. This approach not only saves money but also gets your business online faster, ready to attract more customers.
