Choosing the Right Website Package

When referring to a website package, or more specifically, web design packages, I’m thinking in terms of:

• fixed price website packages which 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 which 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?

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.

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.

Chatbot integration can also help. Chatbots, if they're set up properly, 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.

It's important to remember that you must seek the user's approval to capture and store their information, but that's a subject not covered in detail here.

Content is a major factor in web design. 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 copy ready to go?

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.

But who creates the 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.

But not everybody has the time or inclination to sit and write content, and it's unlikely to be a one-time activity either. So there are other options...

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.

AI can also 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, and 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:

Does the package include on-page SEO optimisation

This is vital to help your website rank on Google, Bing and other search engines.

What about user experience?

User Experience, also known as UX, focuses on how easy or difficult it is for the user to interact with the website.

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.