How to choose the right web design professional in Ashford, Kent

So, you’ve stumbled across my blog, and you’re obviously looking for a web design studio in Ashford, Kent. But what should you search for when you’re in the market for a website? Should you look for web designers, web developers, programmers, or even web design companies? It really depends on your requirements. This blog presumes that you’re either after a new website or you need to revamp your existing one.

So, how do you go about finding a web design company or freelancer? What should you be asking? And the million-pound question—how much should a website cost?

Get the insider scoop on budgeting for a website

It is imperative that you understand the following concept otherwise you will not be able to properly allocate the right budget for your project. The route taken to get to the final destination i.e. going live with a website, will change the price of the website. Some businesses will literally pluck a figure out of the air and charge for a product that you can get for a fraction of the price. It is your job to learn both the process and specification that goes into a website, maybe not every tiny detail but having an understanding will help you massively.

First understand your business goals, should the website help you launch your new brand, generate leads, sell products etc etc. If it’s a startup website then a ‘normal business’ without major funding can literally get away with a DIY approach, AI website builder or similar. For anything else, you will need a thorough approach like this:

• Branding: Look and sound the part
• Copywriting: Speak the right language and compel people to purchase
• UI/UX Design: Design the user journey, what people see and how they interact with the website
• Technology: Mobile-first website is a must along with data tracking etc etc
• Development: What tech is used to build your website (don’t say wix!)

These 5 elements are essential for creating a website that actually does what it’s supposed to, each one can have someone working on it for weeks, now see why a sub £5k website won’t get your much!

Web design prices: What should you expect to pay?

What’s usually the deciding factor? Costs! Before delving into the minefield of web design prices, it’s important to highlight that the web design industry is not regulated. This means you could end up paying for something that’s outdated or, worse, get stuck with a poorly designed website that doesn’t meet your needs.

Just as there are ‘cowboy builders’ in the construction industry, there are also dubious so-called web design experts. Understanding this is key to ensuring you don’t fall into the trap of paying too much for too little.

So, how much should you pay for a website? While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, here are some ballpark figures as of March 2024:

• Brochure website: £3/5k+
• E-commerce website: £5k+
• Bespoke website: £5/10K+

These figures are based on using a reputable web design professional in the UK—not an overseas freelancer charging rock-bottom rates. Keep in mind that more pages, additional features, and advanced analytics will increase the cost significantly.

How much should I spend?

Again, it depends on the complexity of the website. However, avoid cutting corners with a substandard website that looks and performs poorly. For a simple brochure website with a handful of pages, spending less than £1,000 will likely not be enough. On the other hand, don’t assume that the most expensive quote is the best—there are plenty of examples where clients have been overcharged.

For instance, charging £4,000 for a 15-page brochure-style WordPress website is simply overcharging.

Web designer or web company: Which is better?

Finding someone to work on your website in Ashford might seem easy—a simple Google search for ‘web design Ashford’ will give you plenty of options. However, how do you decide which one is best for you?

If you have a healthy budget, a web design company might seem like a better choice if you require a team of professionals. They’ll likely use a methodology like Agile and have specialists in web design, programming, and user experience (UX). However, budgets for this level of expertise typically start at £5,000 to £10,000.

But beware—many web design companies will only assign one person to work on your website, and that person may be relatively inexperienced. In such cases, you’d be better off hiring a dedicated and experienced web designer.

Hire a web designer in Ashford

Hiring a dedicated web designer in Ashford can stretch your budget further. I’ve seen websites costing thousands that I wouldn’t put my name to even at a quarter of the price.

Choosing a good web designer is no easy task, as I’ve already explained. The lack of regulation makes it even more challenging. Many people opt for a web design company to avoid the risk of poor-quality work, but this doesn’t always guarantee better results—there are shoddy web designers in Ashford too.

The main issue with using a company is that it often feels like there’s more accountability. However, the extra costs associated with using a company rather than a freelancer could explain why clients are charged so much.

What questions should I be asking?

To sift through the options and find trustworthy web design professionals, start by asking the following questions:

• Website platform: What platform will be used? I specialise in WordPress, a platform that has become the standard with over 50 million websites worldwide.
• Web design process: How will they complete your project? Do they use a methodology like Agile? What’s their timeline, and how will they keep you in the loop?
• Technical requirements: What features will your website need? Understand your business model and the functionalities required, such as e-commerce, payment systems, or member areas.
• Portfolio examples: Review their recent work. If it doesn’t inspire confidence, walk away.
• Expertise/Experience: Who will be working on your website, and what is their level of experience?

Roles and services in web design

Here’s a quick overview of the different roles and services involved in web design:

• Web Designer: Designs the overall look of the website.
• UI Designer: Focuses on what the user sees.
• UX Designer: Ensures the website is user-friendly.
• Full Stack Designer: Handles both UI and UX design.
• Web Developer: Programs the website using various coding languages.
• Front End Developer: Builds the parts of the website that users interact with.
• Back End Developer: Develops the server-side functionality.
• Full Stack Developer: Handles both front-end and back-end development.

Conclusion

There’s a lot to cover when choosing a web design professional in Ashford, and I’ve only skimmed the surface. The key takeaway is to compare apples with apples. If a quote is more expensive, compare the services and staff involved in the project.

If you’re simply after a standard website to showcase your business with additional features like online shops, booking systems, or memberships, you don’t need to pay for a dedicated person in each discipline mentioned above.

I suggest working with a web designer who is qualified, experienced, and has a track record of beautifully designed websites using a tried and tested platform.

Lastly, feel free to give us a call on 07789 817233 to discuss your requirements. Or you can check out more info on our web design services page.