When planning a website redesign, budget is top-of-mind for many companies. Resources are limited, and you want to launch a new website without completely exhausting your marketing dollars.
A cheap website design solution is usually best for a simple brochure site, a short-lived campaign, or a business that needs a basic web presence now and can accept limits later. It is a risky choice when your website needs to generate qualified leads, support search visibility, integrate with your CRM, or carry a complex B2B buying conversation.
As you evaluate proposals, it can be tempting to pick the cheapest online marketing firm in the bunch. But before you do, weigh the pros and cons of going with a cheap website design solution. Make sure you know what you're getting for the price you're paying, and make sure you'll be happy with your decision. A cheaper website might seem like a good idea right now, but it might cause you more problems -- and cost more money -- in the long run.
What are the advantages of less expensive website design?
1. Lower costs upfront
An obvious plus for a cheaper website is that you'll spend less money upfront. That matters when cash flow is tight or when the website is not expected to do much more than explain who you are, what you offer, and how to contact you. If you're worried about sticker shock, a web design proposal with a smaller price tag can be pretty appealing.
Just make sure you are comparing the same scope. A template setup, a small business brochure site, and a custom B2B website redesign are different purchases. Strategy, copywriting, SEO planning, CRM integration, accessibility, and post-launch support all affect the true cost.
2. Quicker turnaround
Chances are, if a web designer or online marketing firm comes in with a low bid, they don't have a lengthy timeline or a lot of project hours in mind. They probably anticipate that the website won't take very long. That can be useful when you need a basic site quickly, but a faster schedule usually means fewer discovery sessions, fewer content revisions, fewer technical checks, or less room for stakeholder feedback.
What are the disadvantages of less expensive website design?
1. Lower quality
With a firm that doesn't cost very much, you run the risk of getting a cheap-looking website. Higher quality websites usually come with a higher price tag. Now, that's not always the case, but it is something to think about. Will there be a trade-off between price and quality? Or will it be worth the extra investment to end up with a website that looks polished, professional, accessible, and easy for prospects to use?
2. Less originality
To save you money, a web designer or online marketing firm might suggest that you use a pre-made website template. These pre-made templates can be very cost-effective--some are even free--but they're just not worth it in the end. You run the risk of having the same exact website as someone else (or lots of someones, if it's a popular template).
Plus, a template is just that... a template. A cookie cutter design. You want a website that reflects your brand, your personality and your story... as well as your online marketing needs. Pre-packaged designs may not have flexibility in terms of where you add or how you style your calls to action, for example. That matters more when the website needs to guide different buyer types toward different next steps.
3. Limited research or planning
Look at the steps that are proposed for your website redesign. Is there any mention of an online marketing assessment? Will the firm research your company as well as your industry? Will they interview you and other key stakeholders to find out how your web marketing works now and how it needs to improve? How will they make sure that your new website will be effective at generating leads?
A cheap website design solution may not include extensive research or planning. What good is a website that doesn't have a sound strategy in place that will help your business achieve its goals? Google's own guidance emphasizes helpful, reliable, people-first content, so a redesign that skips audience research, useful page copy, and clear information architecture can weaken both buyer confidence and search performance.
4. Limited expertise/resources
One perk of hiring an online marketing firm is you get access to a wealth of knowledge and resources. One firm can help you with everything website-related, from web design and development to copywriting to inbound marketing strategy and beyond.
But that expertise and those resources come at a price. A cheaper website alternative may not have very much breadth; they may not be able to offer additional services in-house. If you will need SEO, analytics setup, content strategy, HubSpot or CRM integration, accessibility review, or post-launch optimization, ask whether those services are included or priced separately.
5. Limited customer service
With an online marketer that costs more, you'll likely get a dedicated, knowledgeable resource in the customer service department. It's similar to when you pay extra for "white-glove service" for furniture delivery. When you pay more, you get the royal treatment.
Plus, if you opt for the cheap website, your web designer might be hard to find next time you need changes. Lower-cost options often come from freelancers who are in between jobs, or firms with high turnover.
6. More expensive long-term
A cheap website might seem ideal today, but will that website still work for you in 6 months? 1 year? Will the website hurt you, because there isn't a lot of flexibility to add calls to action? Could more careful planning result in more qualified leads and higher conversion rates? What happens when you have to redo the website because it just isn't effective in meeting your business goals or you can't find your website in Google? We know of a company that's overhauled its website 3 times in the last 2 years, because they keep opting for cheaper website solutions. Think of the time and money they could've saved, if they'd just invested in a strong website the first time around.
How to decide whether a cheap website design solution is worth it
A cheap website is worth considering when the scope is narrow, the brand risk is low, and the site does not need to carry a serious lead-generation job. If your website is expected to support sales, educate buyers, rank in search, or connect marketing activity to revenue, evaluate the low bid against the business outcome, not just the launch price.
Before you choose the cheapest option, ask:
- Will the designer research our customers, competitors, search visibility, and conversion goals?
- Who is responsible for copywriting, redirects, page titles, meta descriptions, internal links, and analytics?
- Can the website support future calls to action, landing pages, CRM forms, and content updates?
- What happens after launch when we need changes, troubleshooting, or performance improvements?
- Are we buying a short-term web presence or a long-term marketing asset?
If you are still comparing options, use a website redesign budget calculator to pressure-test the scope before you commit to a low quote.
As you plan your website redesign, carefully evaluate your budget. Think about what you might have to sacrifice if you go with the cheapest option possible. A more expensive website might be more of an investment now, but it can provide your business with a stronger foundation for search visibility, lead generation, and long-term return.
