4 Pitfalls of Buying a Website Package

With the popularity of eCommerce and content marketing, it’s now more important than ever for businesses to set up a website. Cash-strapped small and medium businesses will likely come across website packages. This looks like an affordable and quick solution, but small business owners have to be careful.

Here are four facts that website package advertisements are not telling you.

“Custom” design

Custom design doesn't necessarily mean personalised. Website packages have pre-made templates that have the same layout - header, banner, body, and footer. Web designers use stock images for all of them.

Website layout is important because it plays a huge role in branding. It can effectively highlight your products and services without looking cluttered, retain interest even in its simple form, and convert sales with subtle yet effective marketing.

More importantly, you're not the only business who’s going to be signing up for this. With recycled stock images and a generic look, you won't make a lasting impression.

Small business owners can outsource web design or hire a web designer on a project basis. This way, you can have a website that meets your needs and objectives.

Generic content

The package usually comes with additional features, one of which is content creation. However, you won't know what and how much information they're going to put there until it’s made. Yes, you can send marketing collaterals and brochures, but the writer has to keep the layout of the website in mind.

The body of the website where all your images and text are going to go has a format. The writer can only put in a limited number of words. More importantly, these packages are mass produced. They won't be as nuanced as you expect them to be.

Hire a content writer with experience in writing for the web, marketing, and SEO. This way, you'll have relevant content for your business and lay the foundation for online marketing.

So-called SEO optimisation

Another notable and much needed feature is SEO. However, it’s not specified on what kind of techniques they are going to implement and how much optimisation they're going to do.

SEO involves a myriad of processes that go beyond the right keywords. It's an ongoing process that needs to be maintained. Even if they do optimise your site, it needs to be constantly updated. Website packages typically have one-time optimisation to drive down costs.

Outsource search engine optimisation, and then maintain a blog on your site. Make sure that the SEO strategy is for long term.

Monthly maintenance

Website packages are maintained once a month. Some have a limited number of hours depending on the kind of package. But what kind of maintenance are they going to do?

Well meaning service providers will recommend the right content management system that will enable you to maintain your website and provide expert support when needed.

As the old adage goes, if it’s too good to be true, it usually is. These packages are inexpensive and convenient, but do they provide what you really need?  You can outsource tasks or a project to access the skills you need within your means.