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Thinking of Creating a Website? Here’s What You Need to Know
Are you considering creating a website but don’t know where to start? It’s normal to have many questions and doubts. Let’s go through the most important aspects you need to consider.
Dilemmas of a Beginner Client
When you want to create a website and you’re just starting out, you’re probably facing the following questions:
- What are the real costs of a website?
- How is the price of a website determined? By what criteria?
- Why do some make cheaper websites and others more expensive ones?
- Are they all equally good and performant regardless of price?
- Should I pay the minimum, medium, or maximum price?
- How do I know if the price asked is the right price?
- What does website maintenance mean and how much does it cost in the long run?
- Are there risks if I work with a cheap and unknown web designer?
- How do I know if my website’s design will attract and retain visitors?
- How important is the technical support offered by the web designer after the website launch?
If you haven’t asked yourself all these questions, I recommend considering them.
It’s normal to have these questions. At first, you don’t know exactly how this field works. Creating a website is not simple, and you’re afraid of choosing something expensive and poorly done. Why? Because at the beginning, the final product doesn’t physically exist, it’s just an idea presented by the web designer.
Fears of the Potential Client
- Fear of the unknown: How will the site look in the end? Will it be as you want it? But how do you want it, actually? These thoughts haunt your mind. Your imagination soars, oscillating between the dream of a perfect and cheap site, and the nightmare of a disappointing result due to choosing the cheapest option.
- Fear of deception: You’re afraid of getting scammed, especially if you don’t have references about the web designer from known people. In the digital era, where scammers hide behind screens, this fear is more present than ever.
- Lack of physical contact: Today, in this field, physical contact almost doesn’t exist anymore. Work is done mostly online. The web designer is somewhere… in the cloud. Or maybe working from a sunny beach in Mauritius (that’s only in some web designers’ dreams).
- Limited communication: You can communicate with the web designer via email, WhatsApp, you can meet in a video session, and that’s about it. You wonder if you manage to convey your vision correctly through these limited channels. Frustration grows when responses are delayed or when you feel you’re not fully understood.
- Advance payment: You’ll have to give some money in advance (between 30% and 50%). But what if you end up without money and without a website? This financial dilemma weighs heavily. The amounts are not small, and the perceived risk is high. You wonder if this money is an investment or a potential loss. The thought that you could end up with empty pockets and without a functional website becomes a constant source of stress.
Big Price Differences. The Mystery Behind the Numbers.
When you venture into the world of website creation, you may find yourself facing an almost alchemical phenomenon: prices that seem to magically multiply from one offeror to another. Imagine asking for several quotes and, surprise, you see differences of 100% – 200% between them. It’s as if you were buying bread and discovered that the same type of loaf costs $1 in one place and $3 in another. You rub your eyes, look at the numbers again, and wonder: “How is it possible for such big differences to exist for the same thing?”
Let’s be honest, you could understand differences of 10%-20%. Maybe one uses more expensive flour or has a more efficient oven. But 200%? When one web designer makes you an offer of €300 for a site and another asks for €900 for what seems to be the same thing, you feel like you’re in an oriental bazaar where prices seem to be pulled out of a magic hat.
Without experience in the field and without knowing exactly what you want and what you’ll get, it’s tempting to choose the cheaper offer. It’s like when you see two pairs of shoes that look identical at first glance, and one costs half the price of the other. Your instinct tells you to save money.
Choosing the cheaper offer may seem wise at first, but beware! It could be a more costly mistake than you could imagine. It’s like choosing to cross the ocean in a fishing boat instead of a ship – you might reach your destination, but the journey will certainly be longer, more difficult, and possibly more dangerous.
A Concrete Example. When Low Price Hides High Costs!
Last week, I had a conversation with an older client. It was the kind of discussion that reminds you why in the world of web design, as in life, the cheapest option can often be the most expensive in the long run.
My client, let’s call him Mr. P., wanted a complex site, with special functionalities and an included online store. When he first contacted me for this project, I did what I always do:
- I sent him a detailed offer in an Excel file, which contained each activity with the execution duration, hourly rate, implementation costs, and the cost of licenses, so he could see how much work goes into the site and why the resulting cost is the one communicated.
- I then approached the subject of software licenses. For the uninitiated, this may seem like a minor detail. But in reality, it’s like building a house. You can use quality materials, with certifications and warranties (legal licenses), or you can risk dubious alternatives that could collapse at the first digital earthquake.
- I also specified that on each of my sites, I install security applications and protection against cyber attacks. I explained that nowadays, having a site without protection against cyber attacks is like leaving your house door unlocked in a bad neighborhood.
- I explained why my offer always includes a total site backup application, which can be rebuilt from scratch whenever needed.
In the end, Mr. P. made the site with someone else who offered him a better price. Probably much better. And I don’t judge him. The man made the right decision, based on the honesty of the one who made the best offer.
What Did the Client, Mr. P., End Up With?
As a result of deciding to opt for a cheaper offer, the client faced the following problems:
- Poor functionality: The site and online store have frequent operational problems, making them almost impossible to use.
- Pirated software: The site was built with pirated modules. The web designer used pirated professional plugins to avoid paying annual licenses of hundreds of euros.
- Compromised security: The site was delivered to the client already infected with viruses. Pirated modules often come bundled with malware (viruses).
- Risk for users: The online store presents significant dangers for visitors and buyers, especially regarding card transactions, carried out through unsafe modules.
- Substandard design and UX: The visual aspect and user experience were neglected in the site construction process, resulting in an inferior interface.
What Was the Solution to Solve the Client’s Problems?
After auditing the existing site and identifying multiple problems, it was concluded that the only viable solution was the complete reconstruction of the site.
What Were the Client’s Costs?
- Initial Investment: The amount paid for the original, faulty version of the site.
- Diagnostic Costs: Expenses associated with technical audit and problem identification.
- Remediation Costs: The investment needed for the complete reconstruction of the site to professional standards.
Lessons Learned:
- Importance of evaluating offers: Careful evaluation of web service providers and their offers can prevent costly problems.
- Value of expertise: The initial investment in a qualified professional can be more cost-effective in the long run.
- Real cost of savings: Apparent initial savings can lead to significantly higher costs in the future.
And unfortunately, this is not an isolated case. Many clients face similar problems after choosing offers that seem more financially advantageous, without considering the long-term implications of this decision.
What You Should Ask When Creating a Website:
- What kind of modules does the web designer use? Are they free open source or professional versions with a license?
- What’s the cost of licenses? Are there lifetime license versions (paid once) or licenses that are paid monthly or annually?
- Ask for proof that licensed modules have been installed on your site.
Why It’s Important to Work with Licensed Modules
- Safety: Licensed modules are regularly updated and provide protection against security vulnerabilities.
- Technical support: You have access to specialized assistance in case of problems.
- Advanced functionalities: Paid versions often offer additional features and better performance.
- Legality: You avoid legal risks associated with using pirated software.
- Compatibility: Licensed modules are tested to work correctly with other components of the site.
When you want to create a website, don’t be blinded by cheap offers. Ask, research, and make sure you get a quality, safe, and legal product. If necessary, use a consulting service to better understand the entire process of creating a website.
A well-made site is a long-term investment in your online presence. Don’t compromise when it comes to its security and functionality.
