How to get an affordable website for your small business that still looks good

Most small business owners want the same thing: an affordable website that still looks professional and brings in customers. The good news is that you don't have to choose between cheap and good. You just need to know where the money goes.

Why small business website prices vary so much

Ask five web designers for a quote and you can get five very different prices. That's because "a website" can mean anything from a single page to a full online store with hundreds of products. The main things that move the price are:

• Number of pages. A one-page site with your services, hours and contact details costs far less than a twenty-page site.
• Features. Online booking, an online menu, a small shop or a contact form each add work.
• Writing. Someone has to write the words on the page. If the designer writes them with you, that's included in the time.
• Custom design versus a template. A design made for your business takes longer than dropping your logo into a stock theme.
• Hidden extras. Some agencies charge separately for hosting, changes, or even handing over your own files.

Affordable is not the same as cheap

A cheap website is one with a low price on day one. An affordable website is one that is worth what you paid for it a year later. A very cheap site often ends up costing more because it:

• loads slowly on phones, so customers give up before they see your prices;
• is locked to one provider, so you pay a monthly fee you can't leave;
• doesn't show up on Google because nobody set up the basics;
• has to be rebuilt from scratch when you want to change anything.

The aim is a low-cost website that you never have to pay for twice.

How to keep your website affordable

1. Start with what your customers ask. What do you sell, what does it cost, where are you, when are you open, how do they reach you? A site that answers those clearly is often all a small business needs.
2. Ask for one fixed price. A fixed quote that covers design, build and launch means no surprises halfway through.
3. Make sure you own it. Your domain, files and accounts should be in your name, so you're never stuck paying someone just to keep your own website.
4. Build for phones first. Most people will find you on a phone. A mobile-friendly website is not an extra; it's the main event.
5. Add features later. Launch with the essentials, then add booking or a shop when you need them.

How Elvo Works keeps prices fair

At Elvo Works we build affordable websites for small businesses, and we keep the price fair by keeping things simple. You tell us about your business, and we come back with one fixed price and one launch date before any work starts. That price covers design, build and launch.

We write the text with you in plain language, every site is designed for phones first and tested on a real phone, and when we're done the domain, the files and the accounts are yours. If you ever want to move on, nothing is locked in.