A new website is the gift that keeps on giving. Few investments offer as much in return as a custom website for your business. It serves as the face of your company 24/7, your marketing hub, and a content platform that attracts potential customers.
Why a New Website Makes Sense
You might say, “I just paid a bunch of money years ago!” Yes, websites are usually a significant investment for small businesses. But ask yourself, is it still, or did it ever meet your needs? Think of your website as an employee. Are they representing your business well? Do they communicate effectively with the customers? Do they reflect the quality of your product or service? If not, as a business owner, you would make the tough decision to terminate that employee and go through the expense of hiring a better replacement.
The same is true for your website. Below are some questions to ask yourself to determine if a new website is precisely what your business needs.
Questions to determine if you need a new website:
- Are you happy with your current site?
- Does it match your brand?
- Does it function well?
- Does it communicate easily?
- Is it mobile-friendly?
- Are you getting traffic?
- Can you edit the site yourself?
- Is it accessible to ALL users?
- Is it fast?
Don’t just ask yourself these questions. Ask friends, family, colleagues, and customers. If you’re not satisfied with the answers, your current website could deter potential and returning customers.
How To Get a New Website
If you’ve determined you’re in the market for a new website for your company or organization, it’s time to search for a web designer. Do you go with a freelancer or an agency? Cost is usually the driving factor, but as an agency, we’d advocate for the latter. An agency usually offers better infrastructure and diverse talent, including copywriters, designers, and developers.
Most importantly, you don’t want to repeat mistakes from the past. You’ll want to find a group of professionals that understand your goals and have the experience and resources to achieve them. Look at their portfolio and testimonials from other clients. If possible, meet with them face to face to assess whether they get you and your business.
What Does a Website Cost?
The cost of a website varies greatly, so there’s no definitive answer. The main determining factors include design and functionality requirements, the level of expertise of the producers, and the quality of the hosting. For example, an enterprise website will cost more than a mom-and-pop deli simply based on scale.
The average cost of a business website can range from $12,000 and up, according to WebFX.
That’s not to say you can’t get one for less. Many providers offer packages from around the $3,000 to $5,000 range. These usually are basic sites, often templated, with limited functionality. You might find independent freelancers quoting for even less. But are you getting what you want? Will it solve your needs? And will you be looking for another developer soon to remedy the situation of going for the “bargain” website?
A website is like anything else. You get what you pay for.
BONUS: Write Your Company Website Off
The IRS views outsourced websites like software. Depending on the cost, you can amortize the expense over three years or write off 100% in the same year if less than $25,000.
