Business websites; package or bespoke?

Different web design firms work in very different ways; some designers purely design a website and give you a disk leaving it to you to worry about getting it online, others will provide you with a complete package of services and products to get every bit of your website covered. Both types come with different pros and cons but the most important thing to do is make sure you know exactly what you’re getting for your money!

Package website deals

Package websites vary in quality and require the same scrutiny as any other service provider, some offer the most basic coverage and unattractive, ineffective websites made to very old templates; it may be easy throwing them some money and forgetting about it but you may as well not have bothered. This can often be most true of the impersonal big brand name companies in the market.

At the other end of the scale many small to medium sized web design firms offer very good package deals; good word of mouth drives their business in a very competitive market so they make sure customers get value for money and a positive experience. The ideal package will include copywriting, design, hosting, email, domain name and some kind of admin and customer support that deals effectively with enquiries.

Bespoke design websites

Nearly all package websites use a certain amount of uniformity for cost effectiveness, and if you want something really spectacular looking or utilising lots of technology like videos and animation, you need to go with more of a bespoke website. These are much more expensive with design time often charged by the hour rather than at a flat rate. You get to demand precisely what you want but it can come at a high price.

Bespoke design companies typically offer web design independently of the other web services you’ll need to get online, so you’ll have to pay extra for things like hosting and maybe even go to another company entirely to get the service, however plenty of people offer hosting, email and support packages as well.

Choose what’s right for you

The best all round web design supplier is one which can offer you the full variety of options; they have cost effective packages for small businesses just trying the web out, but they can also create beautiful high end websites or e-commerce capabilities so that you can grow your business with the same trusted supplier.

I would always recommend a package deal when you start out; the cost effectiveness and ease to set up is just ideal for most businesses. If you have a business which intends to be primarily online, you probably need to think bigger, and either invest in a high cost package or go straight to design-only firms that can get you the looks and functionality you’ll need to stand out online especially in competitive market places.