Why Building a Website is More Complex Than You Might Think

When building a custom home, it’s common sense that you’ll need various professionals — an architect, contractors, plumbers, electricians, and more. But when it comes to creating a website, many business owners may not realise that a similar level of complexity applies.

Website Projects Are More Involved Than They Seem

Many business owners may not realise just how much work goes into building a website. If you’ve never been through the process, or perhaps had a less-than-satisfactory experience in the past, it’s easy to underestimate the scope of what’s involved.

This is why some business owners may expect that a budget of £500 or £1,000 will suffice — but when you break it down, it becomes apparent why that’s not realistic.

But anyone can build their own website. It’s easy right?

Just because you can it doesn’t mean you should. They say a picture can speak a thousands words. I’ll let the elephant explain.

But there are lots of cheap web designers advertising online.

I could write a whole blog post about the pitfalls of buying unprofessional cheap web design but I think the following picture says it all.

There will alway be people getting in the action by being the cheapest and I know it can be tempting when on a tight budget to go for the low cost option. There’s a guy down the road who could fix the brakes on my car real cheap next time they need doing. He’s going nowhere near my car! Some things just need doing properly and professionally. The brakes on my car and your business website are perfect examples of that.

The Many Elements of Website Creation

Creating a website isn’t as simple as just putting a few pages together. It requires a diverse range of skills, and every stage is crucial to the final result. You need a solid strategy before anything else, followed by content creation, design, and development. Then there’s legal compliance, privacy standards, and accessibility requirements, which will become even more critical in 2025 when accessibility becomes non-negotiable.

The European Accessibility Act 2025 is scheduled for June 2025. The UK government has made no formal announcement regarding the transposition of the EAA 2025 into local law. However, if other EA regulations, such as GDPR, are anything to go by, then it’s certainly possible that the UK will follow suit with something analogous to the EAA in the not-too-distant future. I advise against a dual accessibility system (one for UK audiences and one for EU audiences). Applying the most developed accessibility and inclusivity standards across all your website will reliably futureproof your online presence.

If you take all these factors into account, it’s clear that creating a GDPR and accessibility act compliant professional website is a complex process that demands expertise.

What Goes Into a Professional Website

To understand why building a website can be costly, it helps to look at what’s actually included.

• Legal Compliance: Websites need to comply with various regulations, such as privacy laws (GDPR) and, soon, stricter accessibility standards.
• Accessibility Testing: Ensuring your site is accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities, is not just a legal requirement, but it’s also good business practice.
• Training and Ongoing Support: Once the site is live, you’ll need to know how to use it and keep it updated, secure, and performing well over time.

When you add all these elements together, it’s easy to see why a low-budget or DIY website isn’t likely to meet your business’s needs.

Digital Marketing Strategy

Your website needs to align with your overall business goals and be part of a broader digital marketing strategy.

Strategic Planning and Research

Before diving into design and development, it’s vital to undertake strategic planning. Understanding your target audience, market trends, and competitor analysis forms the foundation of your website. This phase involves setting clear objectives and determining the purpose your website will serve, ensuring it aligns with your business goals.

User Experience (UX) Design

A seamless user experience is key to keeping visitors engaged. This involves intuitive navigation, clear calls-to-action, and an overall layout that makes information easy to find. Wireframes and mockup prototypes are often used during this stage to map out user journeys and test usability before moving to the final design.

Visual Design and Branding

Your website is an extension of your brand. Consistent branding through colour schemes, typography, and imagery is crucial for creating a memorable impression. The visual design should not only be aesthetically pleasing but also reflect your brand’s personality and ethos.

Responsive Design

With the proliferation of devices, responsive design has become non-negotiable. Your website should provide an optimal viewing experience across desktops, tablets, and smartphones. This adaptability ensures that no matter how users access your site, they have a consistent and enjoyable experience.

Content Creation and SEO

Dynamic, engaging content is what keeps visitors returning to your site. It’s important to create well-researched, valuable content that speaks to your audience’s needs and interests. Additionally, implementing Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) strategies ensures your content is discoverable, enhancing your website’s visibility on search engines.

Development and Technology

The development phase is where your website comes to life. Choosing the right technologies and platforms is essential for functionality and performance. This involves coding and integrating features like e-commerce capabilities, interactive forms, and multimedia elements that enhance user engagement.

Performance Optimisation

Ensuring your website loads quickly and runs smoothly is paramount. Performance optimisation includes compressing images, leveraging browser caching, and minimizing the use of heavy scripts. Faster load times improve user satisfaction and can boost your site’s ranking on search engines.

Security Measures

Security cannot be overlooked. Implementing SSL certificates, regular security audits, and safeguarding against threats like malware and hacking attempts is crucial to protect both your data and your users.

Legal Compliance

Websites need to comply with various regulations, such as privacy laws (GDPR) and, soon, stricter accessibility standards.

Accessibility Testing

Ensuring your site is accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities, is not just a legal requirement, but it’s also good business practice.

Analytics and Iterative Improvement

Once your website is live, the work doesn’t stop. Utilising analytics tools enables you to track visitor behaviour, measure the success of your content, and identify areas for improvement. Regularly updating and refining your website based on data-driven insights ensures it continues to meet evolving user needs and industry standards.

Training and Ongoing Support

Once the site is live, you’ll need to know how to use it and keep it updated, secure, and performing well over time.

Asking the Right Questions Before Starting a Website Project

Before you embark on building a new website, it’s important to consider the full scope of the project and think about some key questions:

• What is your digital marketing strategy, and how will your website support your business goals?
• Do you have your website content and design ready, or will you need professional help with this?
• Are you aware of the privacy and accessibility requirements your site needs to meet?
• Who will be responsible for maintaining your website after it’s built — managing security, updates, and backups?

By asking these questions, you can better understand the complexities involved in website development and ensure you’re fully prepared for what’s ahead.

The True Value of a Professionally Built Website

Once you start thinking through everything that goes into building a professional website, it becomes clear that expecting a low-cost solution to deliver results for your business isn’t realistic. A website is an investment in your business, and like any investment, it requires careful planning, time, and resources to get it right.

A well-built website can significantly boost your business, improving your visibility, customer experience, and overall online presence. But to achieve this, it’s important to understand that you’re not just paying for a few web pages — you’re investing in a complete solution that supports your business long-term.

Cheap website vs Professional Website Explained By A Web Design Coach!

The video below was created for website designers to explain why website design pricing varies and go over the differences. So consider this insider information. Most business owners never get to website pricing broken down like this.

The intended audience of this video is the web designer community. BUT, it’s still a great video for business owners to watch to fully appreciate what goes into a professionally built website and why web design prices can vary so much. After watching this video you’ll know why buying cheap web design is possibly the worst thing that you can do for your business.

Summary

A professionally developed website is more than just a collection of pretty pages. Website creation is an art form that requires a comprehensive approach, blending innovation with technical expertise.

Your website is a critical asset for your business, and understanding its value is the first step towards making the most of what the web can offer.

By focusing not only on accessibility but also on strategic planning, design, performance, and security, you’re sure to build a website that not only meets today’s standards but also stands the test of time. Embrace the full spectrum of elements in professional website creation and watch your online presence flourish.