Affordable Web Design vs Cheap Web Design: What’s the Difference Between the Two?
Look, we’re all looking for a good bargain.
In fact, the first thing we do when we do is proudly humble-brag to the person next to us about how we got the deal.
However, looking for a cheap website design in south Africa might be risky.
Let’s try to explain what we’re talking about here before we get into why looking for cheap website design in South Africa is a mistake and why affordable website design is a far better option.
What Is Cheap Web Design in South Africa?
That is an excellent question.
And it’s not a simple question to answer.
That’s because, like anything else, pricing web design services is highly subjective.
It’s even more difficult to assess low-cost web design when you consider how many web designers have vastly varied techniques for determining how much to charge for their services.
That is why I believe that low-cost web design has nothing to do with cost.
It’s a state of mind.
Let me explain before you roll your eyes and hit the back button…
Why Are So Many People Looking For Cheap Web Design?
According to my study, over 1,500 people in South Africa search for “cheap web design” every month.
People looking for low-cost and cheap web design usually fall into one of the following categories:
- They’re looking for a web designer that can provide them with high-quality services while staying inside their budget.
- They undervalue website design and the return on investment it provides, and they have false expectations about how much it should cost.
- They’re hoping to take advantage of a web designer who is starving for work.
1. They’re looking for a Web Designer That Can Provide Them with High-Quality Services at a Reasonable Price.
This, I believe, is where the majority of “budget web design” queries land.
The majority of folks who approach me for a web design quotation are people who want to establish their own business.
They have more than that; they have a concept, they’re also prepared to act.
However, money is scarce when you’re initially starting out in your small firm.
If not completely absent.
For an entry-level IT specialist earning $45,000 per year in a high-cost city like Swatziland, $1,000 for a website is unattainable.
Even $300-500, which most people would consider “affordable,” would be tough to come by for him.
So, what does he do now?
Give up on his ambition to establish an IT consulting firm? No way!
He simply searches Google for “cheap web design” and hopes for the best.
2. They Don’t Understand The Importance Of Web Design And The Return On Investment It Provides, And They Have Unreasonable Expectations About How Much It Should Cost.
These individuals may be found in any field, but they are more prevalent when selling digital goods and services.
They have no idea how much effort goes into creating a visually appealing and functioning website that attracts clients.
All they see are a few clicks here and there, and BAM!, the site is up and running.
I wish it were that simple some days…
Of course, it isn’t always their fault, digital services like website design are tough to sell.
In exchange for your money, you receive physical work, tangible new products, and clearly visible results when you hire someone to refurbish your bathroom.
All of this is taking place right in front of your very eyes.????
That can be difficult to convey to someone who is unfamiliar with web design.
They Want To Take Advantage Of A Web Designer Who Is Starving For Work.
The world’s sharks, of course, are a different story.
Predators on the lookout for a meal.
These individuals are well-versed in the charges of high-quality website design.
They also understand how fiercely competitive the web design market is.
They know that web designers who advertise their services as “cheap” are more desperate for work than those who charge what they’re worth.
They take advantage of this.
They wrangle, bargain, manipulate, and wear down their web designers to the point that they’ll accept a rock-bottom pricing simply to keep the lights on at the end of the month.
It’s rather revolting, that is why I refuse to participate in their shady practices.
I can recognize these sharks from a mile away, because to my years of expertise in the web design sector.
It’s time for me to go for calmer seas.????
These Individuals, Thankfully, Are In The Minority, They Aren’t Something I Come Across Very Frequently.
The Difference between Cheap Web Design and Affordable Web Design.
Why is the distinction between “cheap” and “affordable” so important?
Isn’t it true that they both signify the same thing?
Spending less money! Well, not quite.
When you hear the word “cheap,” what comes to mind?
Sure, it might imply less money spent or more money saved, but it also has the following negative connotations:
Is it the type of content you’d like to see on your brand-new website?
Would you want to employ a web designer that utilizes those words in their marketing materials?
Obviously not.
The term “affordable” means something very different.
It entails a lower cost while maintaining a specific degree of quality.
You may “cheapen” anything by lowering its quality, worth, or price, but you can’t afford it…in some way.
- Unattractive
- Lazy
- Low quality
- Dirty
- Unsafe
How we’re dealing with the question of inexpensive vs. affordable web design
The web design industry has a basic problem.
- Small companies desire high-quality websites, but most of them can only afford to spend R3 500 to R10 000 on one.
- At that pricing point, the web designers you really want to hire can’t afford to construct high-quality websites.
As web designers, we’ve opted to provide a solution that, in my opinion, addresses both of these problems.
Website Design with a Subsidy
You know how everyone wants the newest phone but can’t afford to pay full price right away?
And can you imagine how eager shops are to sell as many of these new phones as possible?
What exactly do they do?
They subsidize the cost of the phone by allowing users to pay in monthly installments.
It’s a win-win situation.
- Customers get access to the most up-to-date and cutting-edge technology at all times.
- Retailers are selling more phones to folks who would not otherwise be able to buy one.
This similar approach applies to my web design pricing.
We provide high-quality, quick, and economical web design for all types of small companies.
The majority of the websites we create cost between R3 500 and R15 000 although they would ordinarily cost between R7 500 and R50 000.
After that, we make up for the initial cost of web design by hosting and managing my clients’ websites for $39 each month.
It’s a win-win situation for both me and my customers.
- Our clients receive a high-quality, fully-managed website that would otherwise be out of their budget.
- We sell a lot of websites to small businesses who would otherwise be unable to afford one.
How Much Should Web Design Cost in South Africa?
The cost of web design can vary greatly based on a variety of factors, including:
- services involved
- timing and location
- the designer
- scope of the website
With that being said, we belive that most small businesses should be able to acquire a high-quality website for between R5 000 and R12 000.
What Is The Most Cost-Effective Technique To Create A Website?
Building a website yourself is the most cost-effective option.
Many various DIY website builders are available, including Weebly, Wix, Squarespace, Elementor, Beaver Builder, and more.
Remember that some website builders are far more user-friendly than others.
