Comparing Apples with Apples

This was one of the funniest questions that I had heard in all my time of talking with clients about building websites.

“How can I be sure that I am comparing apples with apples when looking at a website proposal?”

In other words . . .

“How can I know that a $2,000 website is better than a $1,000 website?”

I think I actually gave a little chuckle.

And my answer was quite direct . . .

You can’t!

At the very least, there are so many different types of apples. You have for Granny Smiths, Delicious, Fuji, Pink Lady, and the list goes on.

They each have different taste characteristics, different uses and often different prices as well.

And some web developers are simply not selling apples.

Some are selling oranges, some are selling pears, and some are selling watermelons.

And some are just selling lemons! LOL

So how do you make that decision?

Everyone will have their own criteria for how to make this decision. But here are a couple of things to think about.

Has the website developer talked with you at length about your business and your website?

They cannot provide the best solution if they do not understand you and your business.

If they gave you a price with only minimal discussion, you may be in for some surprises later on.

Has the website developer been able to answer all of your questions in a way that was easy for you to understand?

Communication will be a hallmark of the success of your project.

Has he or she talked with you about how to use your website as a marketing tool?

A website that does not help you make more sales has limited, if any, value for you.

Have you talked about ways that the website can help reduce your workload in the business?

You want a website that will improve your productivity, and not just create more work for you.

Will it reduce the amount of tasks you have to do? Perhaps transfer some things to your customers to manage? Automate payments, bookings, checklists, etc?

Did they show you how easy it will be for you to use?

Some website software forces you to pay the web developer for each little change that you want to make, and so many are websites never changed. (Did they explain to you why this is not good for your website?)