Investing in a website

Why is investment in a website crucial to the success of a business?

Everyone wants to get as much as they can while spending as little as possible. And this may be the case when hiring a website, buying a car or having a drink in a restaurant. There is nothing wrong with that.

However, this is particularly problematic when it comes to contracting services in the investment of a website. In this case the approach of wanting to spend little appears.

There are a number of factors as to why many people may think of spending little on their website. What they may not realise is that they are taking risks in doing so. Here are some of the reasons why they may be thinking about a cheap service:

It's a free or really cheap world

We all know the famous phrase "You got what you paid for", and it may not be as true as it used to be. With the advent of free, open source software, which we use to build and maintain websites, it's no wonder that you can expect the world for a few euros.

After all, with all that, for example, WordPress does for free, it is easy to see why anyone would expect that all their needs could be met without significant cost.

There are situations where you may even hesitate to spend an extra €30 on a plugin that fits your project needs. It is understandable that not everyone can afford to pay additional costs. This fear is not only limited to those with tight budgets. Also large and profitable companies can push for even the smallest of expenses.

This mentality is also seen in other areas related to website development. There is almost always a cost associated with them, such as web hosting. But there comes a time when it is necessary to recognise that extremely cheap services may not provide the level of support and reliability necessary to realise the web development.

That is really the risk you take in trying to get the cheapest. If it is an add-on as mentioned above, doing so on the basis of cost alone is often a risk for the customer and their business.

The dilemma

A web development company, with experience and a great track record, makes recommendations to the client. Based on what will help you do things the right way and deliver the best result for everyone involved. So investing in a website will make you profit.

Questions such as: Why can't we use a free alternative? or Why do I need to spend money on this at all? They come as a result of the customer's lack of knowledge of the work to be done and a lack of understanding of the situation. On the one hand, this can also be understandable, as there is often a great lack of knowledge in this respect.

That is why it is important to value the work of a developer. A computer does not do development for anyone. And excuse me, but there is still no such thing as a button on a computer that makes a website when you press it. There is always a person behind with knowledge and experience who will not only provide the technical part, but also the ability to improve and look after the success of the client's business.

Thinking like a physical business owner

The expectation that software and services that help make a website free (or incredibly cheap) is unique to the business world. You are unlikely to see the same kind of expectation when it comes to a house, a vehicle or even computers.

Most business owners realise that these items have a cost attached to them, and do not even consider other costs.

But, for some, the idea that everything web-related is low-cost still resonates, but paying for a physical product is no longer a big deal. Paying for premium hosting, for example, can involve a blank stare.

That is why the contracted experts, i.e. us, provide customers with some education in this area. Part of the challenge here is to explain the importance of any expenditure we are asking them to make. The goal is simply to help guide them to the conclusion that their website is equally, if not more important than the other parts of the business.

Once the website is seen as a crucial investment for success, the contribution to the budget will start to become more flexible. Since you cannot physically hold a plugin in your hands, you need to show the effects it can have on your line of web investment.

Good communication

It is especially important to communicate openly and in detail with customers. As they are usually not very tech-savvy, it is entirely justifiable. So, rather than simply saying they need a €30 add-on, explain how that €30 investment will provide returns for their business.

Instead of saying "You need this", it should be: "You need this and this is what will help you achieve your goals".

A problem of poor communication with the customer, combined with the "everything is free" way of thinking, will only perpetuate the vicious circle.

Therefore, we must break this belief of free or cheap in web development, as it is not entirely true. A company with a long history not only provides in its budget the work to be developed. But also a consultancy service. And thanks to their knowledge of years of experience they will help you in the success of your business.

Investing in a website will be crucial to your success.