A Cheap Website Might Cost You More Than You Think
We get it. You’re running a business, you’ve got bills to pay, and every dollar counts.
So when you start looking for someone to build your website, it’s tempting to go with the cheapest quote. After all, a website is a website, right?
Not quite.
The truth is, not all websites are created equal, and going with the lowest price often ends up costing more in the long run. Whether it’s poor design, lack of strategy, missing features, or needing to rebuild the whole thing later, cheap websites can hurt your business more than help it.
Here’s what to think about before choosing your web designer based on price alone.
1. Saving Money Now Can Cost You Time Later
Low-cost websites are often rushed, with little planning or clear communication. That can lead to constant back and forth, delays, and long periods of silence where you are left wondering what is going on. You may spend more time chasing emails, rewriting your own content, or trying to get a straight answer than actually seeing any progress.
These delays can add weeks or even months to your timeline. And if the project drags on, you are stuck without a functional website while potential customers move on to someone else.
Time is valuable. What looks like a saving upfront can easily turn into a frustrating, time-consuming process that takes your attention away from running your business.
2. A Nice Looking Website Doesn’t Mean It Works
In some cases, important details are missed entirely, like forms that do not send, links that do not work, or a confusing layout that makes people click away.
A good-looking website is not helpful if it does not work for your customers. If your site does not function properly or help people take the next step, it will not bring results — no matter how nice it looks.
3. The Basics Are Often Left Out
The lowest price often means a stripped-back version of what you actually need. Important pieces like professional copywriting, proper image sizing, on-page SEO, and testing across different devices are usually not included.
You might end up with broken links, placeholder text, or blurry images, and be left to figure out how to fix it yourself. In some cases, there is no training, no handover, and no support once the site goes live.
Additionally, if hosting is included for cheap it will usually be outside of New Zealand in some country 20 hours away, which will slow down your website dramatically. We have a dedicated server at the Auckland Data Center, which ensures all our sites run smoothly and quickly.
This kind of approach leads to more costs later, as you either try to patch things up or start over with someone else. We have worked with many business owners who paid for a cheap site, only to scrap it months later because it simply did not do the job.
4. Your Website Is an Investment
Your website is often the first impression someone has of your business. It is where they go to learn more, check your credibility, and decide whether to get in touch. It can be one of your most powerful marketing tools when it is done right.
A properly built website helps build trust, generate leads, and support your business goals long term. It should work hard in the background so you do not have to.
On the other hand, a cheap site that is rushed or incomplete will usually need to be replaced sooner than you planned. That means paying twice; once for something that does not work, and again to get it done properly.
We do not aim to be the cheapest. We aim to create websites that last, perform, and support your goals over time.
4. We Can Work With Your Budget Without Cutting Corners
Not every business needs a huge website with every feature under the sun. But even smaller sites should still be done properly.
If your budget is tight, we will help you focus on the pages and features that matter most right now. From there, we can grow your site over time as your business grows.
We will never recommend cutting out the parts that are needed to make your site actually work.
Want a Website That Brings Results?
It is not about choosing the most expensive option. It is about choosing a website that is built with care, strategy, and the right foundations.
If you are comparing quotes or feeling unsure about what is included, let’s have a chat. We are happy to walk you through what to expect and help you make the right choice for your business.
Book a Free Chat with us today and and let’s create a website that does the job properly.
