Recently, a friend and I were discussing this: Why do people always jump to the lowest price? Why isn’t the conversation about value? I mean, do you want the cheapest car, clothes, or food? No—you want the best value for the money you’re spending.
The Reality of Cheap Websites
When people come to me expecting a top-quality website for a few hundred dollars, I tell them flat out: Go to Wix or Squarespace, pour yourself a glass of wine, and pull up a chair next to your nephew, who can help you pick a template and slap something together for free or near-free. If that’s the outcome you’re after, more power to you. But if you’re looking for a professional solution, you’ve got to understand what goes into building a high-quality website.
There’s a huge gap in education here. Most people don’t understand web development or WordPress; they just know they need a website. And I get it—people don’t know what they don’t know. That’s why I’m seeing more thoughtful comments on YouTube from people who genuinely want to learn about quality web design and why it matters.
One recent commenter said, “Not everyone can afford a custom website.” Fair point. But here’s the thing: If the cheap option is $1,500 and I’m proposing multiples of that, think about the long-term value. You might spend triple down the line fixing a poorly built site, and don’t forget to account for the headaches involved with the cheap option, from daily management hassles, and other things that will be a thorn in your side. Sure, there are great freelancers out there, but there’s a high chance that a bargain-basement deal will get you an inferior product that you’ll end up redoing in a year or two.
Real Costs: It’s Not Just the Website
Let’s be honest here—there’s no magic wand that makes a quality website appear overnight. The costs involved are real. Primarily, it’s about human capital. My team is full of people with a decade or more of experience. We have the knowledge and care of outcomes to perform at a high level and get projects done correctly, the first time.
And then there’s marketing. The cost of getting a potential client to pick up the phone and call is significant. Dozens of line items on an expense sheet go into making sure each project runs smoothly, and they all contribute to the quality of service. And while clients might not see every behind-the-scenes expense, these investments are what allow us to provide exceptional outcomes.
Here’s the thing—earlier in my career, I was in the same boat. I looked for cheap because I didn’t have a big budget. But I quickly learned that hiring the cheapest often means more hassle, more rework, and more time wasted. These days, I want the most talented people on my team. They get the job done right, and in many cases, they do it faster.
As Alex Hormozi says, “The more talented someone is, the less input you need to give them to get the result you want.” And he’s right. I can send a garbled 10-second voice memo, and my team knows exactly what to do. That’s the kind of efficiency and skill you get when you hire quality professionals.
Quality Over Cheap—It’s Worth Every Dollar
It all comes back to value. My clients deserve the best outcome, and that’s exactly what I’m committed to delivering. Yes, you might find cheaper alternatives, but are they going to care about the final product as much as I do? Will they have the expertise to see a project through to completion? The answer is often no.
Look, if you’re running paid traffic to your website, cheap is not the answer. Every penny you spend driving traffic to a poorly built site is money wasted. You need a platform that loads quickly, looks professional, and converts visitors into leads.
You might be thinking, “But I’m just starting out—I can’t afford this.” To that, I say: Talk to me. I’m a business owner, too, and I get it. We can work together to find a way that makes sense for both parties.
Final Thoughts
Cheap isn’t always good. In fact, cheap can often be the most expensive mistake you’ll make. Sure, there are decent budget options out there, but the reality is that quality takes time, effort, and skill. So if you’re looking for a website that represents your brand, converts visitors, and stands the test of time, don’t skimp on quality. It’s worth every dollar.
At the end of the day, if you’re investing in your business, you should be looking for someone who cares about the outcome as much as you do. Someone who’s been through the learning curve and knows what it takes to avoid the traps and shortcuts that ultimately cost more. That’s the value of experience and expertise—and it’s why cheap just doesn’t cut it.
