The True Cost of a Cheap Website
In this article, we explore the hidden costs of choosing a cheap website and why it might not be the bargain it seems.
Choosing a cheap website can be tempting, especially for small businesses in Swansea or across Wales looking to save money. What looks like a bargain on the surface often hides costs that can end up being much higher in the long run. Let’s take a closer look at why going for the cheapest option might cost you more down the line and why Pedwar is a much better alternative.
Many budget websites skip important security features, which can leave your business open to cyber attacks. If your website isn't properly protected, a data breach could result in a damaged reputation, hefty financial losses, or even legal trouble. Plus, paying for extra security fixes and updates—often missing from cheap packages—can add to your costs. Pedwar, on the other hand, ensures robust security is built into every website from the start, giving you peace of mind.
One major downside of cheap, ready-made or templated websites is their lack of flexibility. As your business grows, you may want to add new features or adapt your website to changing needs.
Many budget options are rigid and don’t allow for easy customisation. This means that adding new functionality—such as custom booking systems, advanced e-commerce tools, or bespoke integrations—might not be possible without significant extra cost or even a complete rebuild.
Pedwar offers bespoke, flexible solutions that grow with your business, ensuring your website remains a valuable tool rather than a limitation.
Cheap websites often run on shared servers, which means your website could be slow to load or experience downtime. Studies show that even a one-second delay in page load time can cut conversions by 7%. This means potential customers might give up and turn to competitors with faster sites, costing you sales. Pedwar offers optimised hosting solutions that guarantee fast loading times and minimal downtime, helping your business retain customers.
Budget website packages usually advertise a low price, but you might find out later that you need to pay extra for key features like:
E-commerce tools
Contact forms
SEO features
Social media links
Analytics and reporting
These extras can quickly add up, sometimes costing you more than a well-built, all-inclusive site would have from the start. Pedwar provides transparent pricing with all essential features included, so you know exactly what you're getting without any surprises.
Cheap websites are often poorly coded, leading to frequent maintenance challenges. Short-term fixes add up over time, and before you know it, you may need to rebuild the site entirely—leading to significant extra costs over time. Pedwar focuses on quality coding and long-term stability, meaning fewer maintenance issues and a site that lasts.
Websites built on the cheap may not fully adhere to SEO best practices, which can hurt your rankings on Google. Worse still, bad SEO practices could lead to penalties, making it hard for your site to even be found. Fixing these issues takes time and money—resources that could have been saved by doing it right from the start. Pedwar follows SEO best practices from the outset, helping your site rank well and avoid costly penalties.
Your website is often the first impression customers get of your business. A low-quality site may give an impression of reduced professionalism, leading customers to question your credibility. Restoring your brand’s reputation later can be far more costly than investing in a quality site upfront. Pedwar helps you build a professional, polished online presence that reflects the quality of your business and builds trust with your customers.
Cheap websites also tend to need more hands-on management, which means you’ll spend more time managing technical issues instead of running your business. This time drain can really cost you in terms of lost opportunities for growth. Pedwar takes care of the technical side, allowing you to focus on what you do best—growing your business.
In the end, investing in a professionally developed website will likely save you time, money, and stress. High-quality sites offer better performance, security, and a smoother experience for your customers—allowing you to focus on what you do best. Pedwar delivers websites that are built to last, offering the kind of quality and service that cheap providers simply can’t match. So, when weighing up your options, consider not just the upfront price but the total cost over time.
If you’re looking for a reliable web design company in Swansea or anywhere in Wales that delivers quality without the hidden costs, get in touch with Pedwar. A well-made website is an investment in your business’s future, not just an expense.
