7 Ways to Get an Affordable Website Design for Your Small Business
Updated 9/22/22
You might think that having an effective and professional website design can only be achieved by spending thousands of dollars, but that’s not necessarily true. If you’re a small business owner, there are ways to get high-quality designs and hosting services without breaking the bank. Here are 7 tips on how to get an affordable website design for your small business without sacrificing quality.
1) Look at your competitors
You don't have to spend much money to have a great website for your small business. Start by looking at your competitors' websites. See what services and items they offer and get ideas for what you could include on your own site. You can also look at other businesses in your industry to see what they're doing. If you sell clothing, look at the stores that carry the same clothes or shoes as you do. Are their websites clean and easy to navigate? Do they list all their different sizes? What are their prices?
2) Use templates wisely
Using a template can save you a lot of time and money when it comes to website design. However, it is important to ensure that your website is unique and not just a cookie-cutter copy of someone else's. Here are seven ways to get an affordable website design for your small business:
Use a pre-designed template as a starting point. This will give you a professional-looking website without the high price tag. Make sure you personalize the site by adding images or content from your company.
There are plenty of templates, but be careful about buying one with too many bells and whistles because those templates are more expensive than basic ones.
Make edits yourself: You can find online services that allow users to add their own text or images to customize templates for their needs. This way, you won't have to pay someone else to do it for you.
Be specific: It is also important to choose a template with features specific to your industry so people know what kind of business they're dealing with immediately. For example, if you have a bakery, include pictures of pastries on the home page; if you're in real estate, show properties on the homepage. If you have a software company, ensure the blog post area has an RSS feed button and YouTube videos of your product demonstrations.
Both free and paid templates exist for almost any industry. Remember to look at both before deciding which option would work best for you.
3) DIY: build it yourself
You can create your own website if you have some time and experience. You'll need to choose a web hosting service and a domain name, then design and build your site. You can use a website builder tool like WordPress or Wix or code your site from scratch. These options are free to use with basic features included (or available as paid add-ons).
4) Hire a freelancer
A freelancer is usually the most affordable option when it comes to website design. You can find freelancers on websites like Fiverr or Upwork. Just be sure to check their reviews and portfolio before hiring anyone.
Make a list of all your needs: Make a list of all the features you want your site to have, including text boxes, photos, videos, contact forms, embedded Facebook feeds, etc. It will help you decide what you want to be included in your site.
Talk with a designer: Once you've got your list made, talk with one or two designers about what you're looking for in terms of layout and design style.
If they come up with something that you love, sign them up! If not, keep shopping around until you find someone who gets your vision.
5) Go with an established web design company
There are plenty of web design companies out there that will be able to help you create a professional website without breaking the bank. Do some research, find a company that has experience in your industry, and see what kind of packages they offer. You may be surprised at how affordable they can be!
But don't just take their word for it, do some online research into customer reviews and other websites they have created. If you're still unsure, ask for examples of previous work from them so you can get a feel for their style before committing to anything.
The most important thing is that the company is reliable. Ask about any cancellation policies or if there's a contract required before hiring them, so you know exactly what is expected when working with them.
6) Ask for freebies
Many web design companies will give you a free mock-up of what your website could look like. This is a great way to get an idea of what you want without spending any money. You can also ask for discounts or special rates for small businesses. Many web designers are willing to work with you to create a website that fits your budget.
7) Ask for incentives
Many web design companies offer hosting and SEO services as part of their package. Ask about these options when getting quotes for your website design.
In most cases, you can get a discount on these services by bundling them together with your website design. Ask for the option to cancel if not satisfied: When working with a company on any type of design project, it is always best to have the option to cancel if not satisfied.
Be wary of low-ball pricing: Don't be fooled by low-ball pricing. The quality and service level often decreases significantly once you have your money in hand.
Ask questions before hiring: Always ask questions before hiring a company that is out of state or unknown in your area. It's always better to do some homework first than regret it later!
Make sure it's secure: Your small business has security measures, including data encryption, secure passwords, and malware protection software, so you don't get hacked!