The cost of professional web design may catch some companies off guard; however, there are a few things you can do to avoid being shocked when the proposal arrives. First, make sure your proposal outlines a detailed plan of your site specifications–design, content, and functionality–this will help you and your design agency make adjustments if needed. Second, consider getting multiple proposals to get a better idea of the variety in prices and approaches. Always plan for some unexpected costs if you come up with new ideas along the way, and be sure to leave room in your monthly budget for future maintenance and updates to your website.

While a small business can have a very effective website on a tight budget, the differences between design and development when compared to a large corporation are drastic. Between legal considerations based on protecting consumer data, CRM (customer relationship management) and lead tracking integrations, user experience considerations, and SEO (search engine optimization) research, the cost and scale of a corporation’s needs will often vastly outweigh that of a small business.

A full redesign of a website can be very expensive, so it’s important to assess whether you really need one or not. Common reasons to redesign your website vary, but the most common include rebranding your business, increasing website traffic, generating more leads, or adding functionality to improve user experience. If you are simply readjusting your marketing goals or messaging, a minor overhaul may be all you need. Be sure to check that your site is still aligned with your newest marketing plans on an annual basis!

While it is a worst case scenario, you want to make sure you understand what’s at stake if the project does go sideways. Having a clear understanding of terms, billing, and dispute process is a must before starting any project. Even if you feel great about the designer or agency you are working with, asking these tough questions up front will ensure clarity and execution of your project. Be wary if you receive a proposal that doesn’t outline the legalities and scope of the collaboration.