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

So, you’ve found our blog, and you’re 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 the right web design partner? 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 This means you could end up paying for something that’s outdated or, worse, get stuck with a poorly designed website that doesn’t meet your needs.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, rather than an overseas supplier 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, do not assume that the most expensive quote is the best, because 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.

What matters more than the label

Finding someone to work on your website in Ashford might seem easy, because a simple Google search for ‘web design Ashford’ will give you plenty of options. Deciding which one is right for you is the harder part.

The label on the door tells you very little. What matters is who actually does the work and how experienced they are. A large agency may put a junior on your project and route everything through an account manager. A small studio may give you senior attention on every stage. The reverse is also true. Ask the question directly and judge the answer.

Budgets for genuinely senior work typically start at £5,000 to £10,000. Below that, something is usually being cut, and it is normally the strategy, the copy or the testing.

Hire a web designer in Ashford

The right web designer in Ashford will stretch your budget further. We have seen websites costing thousands that we would not put our name to even at a quarter of the price.

Choosing well is no easy task, as we have already explained, and the lack of regulation makes it harder. Many people pick the biggest name to avoid the risk of poor-quality work, but size does not guarantee a better result.

Accountability is what people are really buying when they pay more. That is a fair thing to want, so make sure you are actually getting it. Ask who owns the outcome, who you speak to when something goes wrong, and what happens if the results do not arrive.

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, and why? We build in Astro or WordPress, and we choose between them based on how often non-technical hands need to touch the content.
• 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 is a lot to cover when choosing a web design professional in Ashford, and we have 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 are simply after a standard website to showcase your business, with features such as online shops, booking systems or memberships, you do not need a separate specialist billed for every role listed above. You need the work done properly by people who know what they are doing.

We suggest working with a team that is qualified and experienced, and that has a track record of well designed websites on 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.