Choosing the Right Website Package

Website packages, which can also be called web design packages or a website bundles, are usually offered as fixed price packages which clearly list the features and relevant services which are included for a pre-set price. This makes it easy to compare one package with another, regardless of whether those packages are offered by the same or different web designers or agencies.

However, it's important to remember that all websites need to be customisable to suit your needs, and therefore your chosen web designer or web design agency needs to be both willing and able to handle the level of customisation which you require.

The level of customisation required could affect the overall price, so it is advisable to consider your future needs and whether the website package you choose can scale and evolve as your business grows.

• fixed price website packages should list what is included and what is not included for a pre-set price, so you can clearly see what you expect to get for your money.
• bespoke website packages should clearly set out what is and is not included, but unlike the fixed price options, you'll have more say in the design and scope of your website what you need.

With numerous options available, understanding how to pick a package that aligns with your budget, business goals, and technical needs can save you time, money, and headaches in the long run.

This guide outlines five practical steps to help you select the perfect web design package for your business.

Before selecting a web design package, it's essential to clarify what you want to achieve with your website. So ask yourself:

Is your goal to generate online sales?

If generating online sales is important, then an e-commerce website with integrated payment systems is a must. This could be to allow customers to search, select and pay for items, or it could be to generate sales of tickets to an event, provide membership and take subscriptions, and many other purposes.

Are you looking to generate leads from your website?

Lead capture forms: Focus on website packages that offer lead capture forms. Forms should be customisable to allow you to request relevant information from users, which is likely to include name and email address, but might also include phone number, website address, a list of options that the user can select from, and a comments box.

Landing pages: Web forms on a landing page, such as for promotions, lead magnets, etc., can also be useful, and can also be set to capture the name of the landing page or source of the enquiry.

Cost calculators: A very useful feature you might want to include is a pricing calculator, which could allow potential customers and also your staff to quickly and easily produce accurate quotes or estimates.

AI Chatbots: Chatbots can be a huge benefit, but they need to be set up properly, tested thoroughly, and regularly maintained. AI Chatbots can be designed to ask questions, clarify responses, and collect the user's details. It could then store the information in a database or spreadsheet, or generate emailed notifications.

Content is a major factor in web design and in the success of your website. Consider the amount and type of content you have (or will need to create) for your site. For example:

Words, images and videos

Do you have high-quality images, videos, and written content ready to give to your web designer?

If not, a package with a done-for-you content service could be beneficial.

Frequency of content updates

Will you need ongoing content updates? If so, are you planning on carrying out the updates yourself, in which case I would suggest looking for packages that include easy-to-use content management systems (CMS) so that you or your team can make updates effortlessly.

Alternatively you might prefer to use the services of your web designer to handle updates. They might offer free minor updates or a very cost effective one-off updates or a maintenance plan.

Who should create your website content?

It makes a lot of sense for me to suggest that you create your own website content, for the simple reason that you know more about your specific business than your web designer or a third party content creator.

However...

Not everybody has the time or inclination to sit and write content, and it's unlikely to be a one-time activity either. Thankfully there are some other options which could help:

Done for you content service:

Your website design might be willing and able to produce your website content for you, but you should ALWAYS approve and new or updated content before it goes live.

Using AI as a starting point:

AI can certainly help. Whilst some people will use AI to generate their content from start to finish, I’m very much in favour of using AI to generate ideas in the form of a list of things to include.

AI could also suggest a list of frequently asked questions which can be a great source for content generation for websites, chatbots, and also social media.

With that being a starting point for draft content, then you as the expert in your field can tailor it to your needs.

While it’s tempting to go for the lowest-priced package, it’s important to think long-term, because cheap websites can often be restrictive and off no scope for expansion or additional functionality. They could also leave you with out a web designer for a number of reasons.

So consider not only the upfront cost but also factors like maintenance, future scalability, and additional services:

Fixed price options

Fixed-price packages like TargaWeb’s Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers, provide predictability and help you avoid unexpected costs. You’ll also get to see what else, besides the actual website, you’ll get, and the benefits they can bring.

Can your website grow with your business?

If future growth or development is essential (or even just a possibility), ensure that the package allows for future updates, such as adding more pages, advanced features, or plugins. *

No matter how stunning your website looks, if it’s not optimised for search engines or it provides a poor user experience, it won’t serve its purpose and you'll have wasted you money!

So when comparing web design packages, look for the following:

Does the package include search engine optimisation?

Search Engine Optimisation (also commonly known as SEO) is vital to help your website rank on Google, Bing and other search engines.

Does the package focus on user experience?

User Experience, also known as UX, focuses on making it easy for people to interact with the website. Good UX (in other words a good user experience) applies to all aspects of a website’s structure, including layout and making the content clear to understand and easy to find.

A professional package should focus on intuitive navigation, fast load times, and a responsive design that works across all devices and screen sizes from mobiles to large desktop monitors.

Different businesses have different needs beyond a simple website. Depending on your specific requirements, you might need additional features, such as:

• Custom chatbot integration for customer support or lead generation.
• E-commerce capabilities for product-based businesses.
• Ongoing support for troubleshooting or future redesigns.

Choosing the right web design package is about finding a solution that aligns with your business goals, content needs, and budget whilst offering room for future growth.

With clear goals, an understanding of your content and design requirements, and a focus on SEO and user experience, you can make informed decisions to ensure your business’s online success.

By following these five steps, you’ll be in a strong position to choose the web design package that best meets your business needs, ensuring a professional, high-performing website without compromising on quality.