Top Options for Affordable Small Business Website Design: Expert Guidance and Solutions

Affordable Website Design Options

When starting your business, the last thing you need is huge expenses. You’re probably just getting your first customers and revenues, and the thought of making large investments to generate future sales is not a pleasant one. But, many of these investments are important for attracting future customers.

Websites are one of these investments you’ll need to consider. Sure, you can land your first few clients through your network or prior contacts, but eventually, you’ll need to attract new customers who don’t know who you are. And most of those customers’ first impressions of you will come from your website.

75% of prospective customers judge a company’s credibility by their website’s design. This first impression is primarily based on the site’s design, and this opinion can form in less than a second.

So, when we say a website is an important investment, we mean it. But, as a small business owner, especially when you’re just starting out, how can you get a website that wows your prospective customers without breaking the bank? Well, you’ve come to the right place to learn about the best cheap website builders.

In this guide we’ll talk about various affordable website design options, including one’s you can do yourself via website builders, as well as affordable agencies like Peak Digital Studio that offer subscription services that let you pay for your website over time.

DIY: Website Builders for Small Businesses

If you're looking to do it yourself, there's a vast selection of website builders you can choose from. Website builders are software that allows you to quickly create and publish your websiteely quickly. They have templates you can use as a starting point, and many user interfaces try to make building a website as easy as formatting a PowerPoint slide.

I won't go into great detail about each platform in this guide as we've already created a resource for comparing the platforms. However, I'll give a broad overview of website builders as an option for creating a website for your small business.

Website Builder Features

Website builders offer a variety of featuresbuilders. Below is a general overview, but be sure when picking your website builder that it has the key features you need.

1. Ease of Use

A fundamental aspect of any website builder is its user-friendliness. Most builders offer intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces that allow users to add and arrange elements easily. This simplicity is crucial for attracting users, especi, we'll discussittle technical expertise.

2. Quality Templates oneshemes

Website builders typically provide  and professionally designed templates and themes. These templates should be modern, mobile-responsive, and customizable, enabling users to create visually appealing websites tailored to their needs.

3. Customization Options

Beyond selecting a template, users should be able to create custom websites that reflect their unique style and branding. Tailored designs can significantly enhance a company's digital presence and set them apart from their competition. This includes altering layouts, colors, fonts, and adding various elements like images, videos, and forms. Advanced builders may even allow access to HTML and CSS for deeper customization.

4. Pre-Formatted Page Layouts

Many website builders offer pre-formatted layouts for different types of pages, such as home pand ages,contact pages, and blogs. This feature helps users quickly set up their sites without designing each page from scratch.

5. E-commerce Capabilities

For users looking to sell products or services online, robust e-commerce features are essential. This includes shopping cart functionality, payment gateway integration, and inventory management tools.

6. SEO Tools

Influential website builders provide tools to optimize websites for search engines. This includes options for meta tags, alt text for images, and other SEO best practices to improve visibility in search results.

7. Social Media Integration

Most builders facilitate easy integration with social media platforms, allowing users to add sharing buttons and links to their profiles, enhancing engagement and reach.

8. Analytics and Reporting

Website builders often include analytics tools that help users track visitor behavior, traffic sources, and other essential metrics. This data is vital for understanding website performance and making informed decisions.

9. Customer Support

Reliable customer support is a critical feature, with many builders offering 24/7 assistance through various channels, including live chat, email, and phone support. This support can be invaluable for troubleshooting and guidance.

10. Export and Import Capabilities

Some website builders allow users to export easily and import templates and content across different sites, making it easier to manage multiple web properties.

• Essential features for small business websites include e-commerce functionality, search engine optimization, and marketing tools.
• Pricing plans vary among website builders, with some offering free plans and others starting at around $5-10 per month.
• Hidden fees to watch out for include transaction, domain registration, and upgrade costs.

11. Domain services and hosting

Some website builders have built-in domain name management and website hosting. This makes it super easy for someone who's not technical to buy a domain, build the website, and then publish to that domain and host it for you. Otherwise, you must work across multiple platforms to publish your site.

Best domain registrar for small businesses

Pricing

Pricing is pretty affordable for website builders. Below is a table of some of the more common tools and their pricing. One thing to consider is whether these prices include website hosting or not.

Pros and Cons of Using a DIY Website Builder

Pros

1. Cost-effective: Website builders are generally more affordable than hiring a professional web developer, with many offering reasonable monthly plans.
2. No coding skills required: You can create a functional website without knowing how to code, making it accessible for non-technical business owners.
3. Customizable templates: Many builders offer a wide range of customizable templates, helping you create a unique look for your business.
4. Built-in features: Website builders often include essential features like SEO tools, mobile responsiveness, and e-commerce functionality.

Cons

1. Can have a learning curve: As easy as they try to make these website builders, there's still a learning curve when it comes to web design, publishing to your domain, and hosting. It can take up a lot of time, particularly for someone who's not super technical to begin with.
2. Limited design flexibility: While customizable, templates can restrict your ability to create a unique design, potentially making your site look similar.
3. Functionality limitations: As your business grows, you may find that website builders lack the advanced features or integrations you need.
4. Performance issues: Websites built with these tools may load more slowly than custom-built sites, potentially affecting user experience.
5. SEO limitations: While most builders offer basic SEO features, they may not provide the depth of optimization that a custom-built site can.
6. Difficulty in migrating: If you decide to move your site to a different platform in the future, it can be challenging or impossible to transfer your content.

Outsource: Subscription Website Design Agencies

If you want a site that can scale with your business and doesn't want to take on the headache of building and publishing your website, there are affordable website design services and agencies out there that have subscription or payment plans that allow you to defer the cost of your website over a year or more.

These services generally offer ongoing maintenance, improvements, and hosting, which means your website can be involved and improve over time, and you're not stuck with the first version of the site. The sites are also generally set up to scale, so as your business grows, can your website without starting again from scratch.

How to Find a Subscription Website Design Agency

Well, you've come to the right place for that. Peak Digital Studio is a subscription design and website development agency. We have a range of web design plans that are tailored to small businesses.

If we're not right for you, some other subscription web design and development agencies include:

• Passionate Design Agency
• Curio
• Growmodo

How to Evalutate a Subscription Agency

When looking at various agencies, there's a few things you should evaluate them by:

1. Portfolio: First, take a look at their portfolio. There's a few questions here to ask yourself:
   1. Have they done similar projects to the ones you have in mind?
   2. Do you like their work?
   3. Are the websites they've built functional and fast?
2. Communciation: How well do they communicate? You can learn this early on. Do they answer your questions directly? Do they respond in a timely fashion? If they can't get this right in the sales process, they certainly will struggle during the project.
3. Testimonials: Do they have testimonials? Do they speak to what's important to you in an agency?
4. Customer references: Ask to reach out to a customer of theirs to understand how the project went and if they were happy with it. Often a customer will give a nice testimonial to be polite, but had a poor experience.

Pros and Cons of using an Agency to Build your Small Business Webiste

Pros

1. Access to Expertise: Agencies typically have a team of experts in various aspects of web design and development, including designers, developers, SEO specialists, and content creators. This means you get a comprehensive skill set working on your project.
2. Professional Quality: Agencies often have more experience and resources to create high-quality, professional websites that align with your brand and attract your target audience.
3. Strategic Approach: An agency can provide a strategic perspective, ensuring your website is not just visually appealing but also performs well in terms of user experience, SEO, and conversion optimization.
4. Comprehensive Services: Many agencies offer a wide range of services beyond just website building, such as branding, marketing, and ongoing maintenance.
5. Scalability: As your business grows, an agency is better equipped to handle additional services or support for larger projects.

Cons

1. Higher Cost: While subscriptions make it affordable, the primary drawback of hiring an agency is the higher cost.
2. Potential for Miscommunication: Working with a third party can sometimes lead to miscommunication or misunderstandings about your vision and needs. It's critical you find an agency that you can trust and is easy to work with.

Conclusion

Building an affordable website for your small business doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Whether you opt for a DIY approach using website builders or choose to outsource the work to a subscription-based design agency, both options offer valuable benefits. Website builders provide cost-effective, user-friendly solutions for those willing to put in the time to learn, while agencies can offer a professional, scalable website without the upfront costs.

Evaluate your needs, budget, and long-term goals to choose the path that works best for your business. Whichever option you select, a well-designed website is a key investment in your business's growth.

FAQ

What is search engine optimization?

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the practice of optimizing a website to improve its visibility on search engine results pages (SERPs). This involves using techniques like keyword optimization, creating high-quality content, and improving site performance to rank higher for relevant search queries. The goal is to attract organic (non-paid) traffic to the website. SEO is a crucial part of digital marketing strategies.

How to create my own online store?

To create your own online store, start by choosing an eCommerce platform or website builder like Shopify, WooCommerce, or BigCommerce. Select a domain name, design your store’s layout, and add product listings with descriptions and images. Set up payment gateways to accept online payments and choose a shipping method. Finally, optimize your site for SEO and launch your store.

How to start an online store?

Starting an online store involves several steps: selecting a niche or product, choosing an eCommerce platform (such as Shopify or WooCommerce), and setting up your website. You'll need to organize inventory, product descriptions, and pricing. Make sure to integrate payment methods and shipping options, then market your store to attract customers.

What is web design?

Web design refers to the process of creating and designing websites, including the layout, user interface, colors, fonts, and graphics. It involves both aesthetic and functional elements, ensuring that the site is visually appealing and easy to navigate. Good web design considers the user experience (UX) and aims to make websites accessible on various devices. It's a key part of building a successful online presence.

What is the best website builder?

The best website builder depends on your needs. Popular options include Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify. Wix is highly customizable and beginner-friendly, Squarespace offers sleek designs for creatives, and Shopify is ideal for eCommerce stores. Consider your goals and technical skills when choosing a platform.

To learn more about the best website builders for small businesses, check out our article.

What is responsive web design?

Responsive web design ensures that a website looks and functions well on all devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. It uses flexible layouts, grids, and media queries to adapt to different screen sizes and orientations. This approach enhances user experience by ensuring consistency and usability across various devices. Responsive design is essential as more users access websites via mobile devices.