Whether you're launching your first business or you've been trading for years, investing in a new website can feel like a big decision. And it is. Prices vary enormously, everyone seems to have a different opinion on what you need, and it isn't always obvious what you're actually paying for.<\/p>\n
You might be quoted £500 by one provider and £5,000 by another for what sounds like the same thing. Neither quote is necessarily wrong, but there's a good chance they're offering very different services, and you might not necessarily need all of them.<\/p>\n
At Peaco Marketing<\/a>, we work with businesses of different sizes, from startups finding their feet to established companies looking to generate more enquiries online. One thing we're always keen to establish before recommending a new website is whether it's actually the right investment for the business.<\/p>\n Before spending your hard-earned money, here are some questions worth asking.<\/p>\n This is probably the most important question, and it's one that's surprisingly easy to overlook when you start looking at designs.<\/p>\n For some businesses, a website is essentially a digital business card. You want people to find you after hearing about your business, understand what you offer and get in touch. A relatively simple website might be all you need.<\/p>\n For others, the website is expected to generate a consistent stream of new customers through Google, take bookings or sell products online. That's a different proposition entirely and will usually require more planning.<\/p>\n Think about what success would look like six months after launching. If you can't explain what you want the website to achieve, it's difficult to know whether you're getting good value from the investment.<\/p>\n Not necessarily, and we'd be wary of anyone telling you otherwise without understanding your business.<\/p>\n If you're a sole trader starting out, spending thousands on a custom-built website might not be your best use of money. A professionally configured template could provide everything you need while leaving some budget available to promote the business.<\/p>\n On the other hand, an established company relying heavily on its website for enquiries may benefit from a more tailored approach, particularly if the existing website has limitations affecting sales.<\/p>\n Think of it like buying a company vehicle. A small van might do everything you need, while a larger business could require something more specialised. There's little point paying for features you'll never use, but buying the cheapest option isn't particularly good value if you outgrow it almost immediately either.<\/p>\n This is something we'd encourage every business owner to consider before agreeing to a website build.<\/p>\n Launching a website doesn't automatically mean customers will find it on Google. You can have an excellent-looking website that attracts virtually no visitors if you haven't considered how people will discover it.<\/p>\n If attracting customers through search engines is part of your plan, ask your web designer what SEO is included. Will they research what potential customers search for? Will the website have dedicated pages for your main services? Is the content being written with both customers and search engines in mind?<\/p>\n1. What Do I Actually Need My Website to Do?<\/h2>\n
2. Do I Need an Expensive Website?<\/h2>\n
3. How Will People Find My Website?<\/h2>\n