Getting a new website is a massive decision for every business and you want to make sure the choices you make are the right ones.  You want to know that it’s going to deliver you results, that it’s going to look great and do your products or services justice.
Only problem is that it’s going to cost you money.  So if you don’t currently have the cash in your bank account or your business how do you pay for that website when you need it?
This really is a catch-22 situation.  In order to make more money you need a great website.  To get that website you need the money that it will make you before it starts making it.
So what do you do?

A comparison – how do you buy cars?

If you’re buying a new car the options for purchasing it are clear; you either have the money and you buy it there and then, driving away from the forecourt with a beaming smile on your face, or you go down the finance route and stump up the amount that you can afford to pay at that point in time and continue to pay on a monthly basis for the next few years.
The problem with car finance is that you pay finance; you end up paying more for the car than you would have done had you had the money at the start.
You do that because you need the car now and you believe the car represents value for the end price you’re paying.

So why wouldn’t we suggest you do this with a website?

It all sounds very sensible so far doesn’t it?
But websites are different.
A website has a value and that value is tangibly linked to the output it delivers.  What you don’t want to do is end up paying thousands of pounds over the course of a year for something that’s only worth £500.
You don’t want to end up slowly paying for a top of the range Mercedes and having the benefit of having a Vauxhall Corsa.
Let us explain more.
If you are offered a website at a reduced initial cost and then tied in to a fixed monthly agreement for a year then the cost of that website should be the same as it would have been up front, but with a small extra charge for the interest (to continue the car purchase).
What you need to look at is what is the end cost to your business and does it stack up.
If you’re paying £100 a month for a year, plus another £250 at the start you’re going to have paid £1,450 for your website.
Increase that figure to £200 a month for a year and you’re looking at an outlay of £2,650.
Let us promise you; no matter where you go you’re going to get a website that is very nice and delivers for that figure.
We’re not keen on monthly retainer fees for websites.  The reason for that is that we don’t believe they give value.  If that site you’re paying £2,650 for over the course of a year is only worth £1,000 it isn’t good value.

So our advice?

No matter what decision you’re making, ensure that it’s the right one for your business and it stacks up in terms of value.
If you can’t currently afford a website then think hard about whether it’s worth waiting a couple months to get one or risk paying for a year or two for something that is not going to add up to the sum total of the figure paid.
If you are tempted by a smaller amount up front and then paying for a long period then contact a few designers and get a feel for their work, and also how much they charge.
See how much the others charge for their projects and take into consideration what they deliver for that price.
If the monthly cost commitment exceeds this figure by a decent margin are you getting value?
For more information on website design or online marketing then please do give us a call on 01566 784860 or email mark@mihidigital.co.uk