I would venture to say that there are web developers and designers in almost every major community in America today. Every one of them is different, offering a variety of services for their clients. In addition, they offer a broad set of skills and skill levels. Some may be superb designers, easily able to create magical graphics, but have no clue what search engine optimization is. On the flip side, some developers are code junkies and can build bullet-proof PHP scripts, but couldn’t tell you the difference between red and green (maybe they’re colorblind). In any case, there is probably a local web designer in any given area.
The Battle with Off-Shore Designers
Why is it that when some local businesses decide to buy website design services that they go off-shore? I would say that 90% of the time, price has something to do with it. Off-shore web designers are usually so cheap that no domestic web designer can possibly compete on the basis of price. However, the quality of service you receive from these off-shore web designers is usually less than stellar and once the project is complete, getting service after the sale is almost impossible.
I’ve bid on some web design projects only to be underbid by an off-shore designer by hundreds or even thousands of dollars. For a project that may take a designer 30-40 hours to complete, an off-shore designer will bid only $100. But, it has to make you wonder what the client is getting.
So how does a domestic web designer compete with an off-shore designer? It’s quite simple really – offer superior website design services that the off-shore designers can’t possibly match. Off-shore designers are typically interested in one thing – pushing as many websites through their system as possible. This doesn’t leave much room for quality service as you would expect from a domestic company.
Bigger Isn’t Always Better
Another problem faced by local web designers is the often unwarranted perception that bigger is better. Many potential clients seem to think that they’ll receive better service from a huge design house New York City than their local company. This isn’t always the case. In addition, these large design firms often charge New York City prices, resulting in clients overpaying for the services that they do receive.
Buying from a local web designer has a number of advantages. A client will usually receive more personalized service from someone locally rather than someone on a few states away. The level of service is often tailored to the specific needs of the business since a local web designer may often times be a customer of the business in question. Many web designers often feel that they have a personal interest in the success of a website they design for a local client. I know that I have often gone that “extra mile” when dealing with local clients simply for the fact that these people are often my friends and family.
Buying from a local web designer also helps the local economy. When someone buys local, about $73 out of every $100 stays in the community. In contrast, buying from a web designer hundreds of miles away will easily result in $0 staying in the local economy. If a client wants to support their local economy, then buying local is definitely the way to go.
Another problem faced by many small businesses is what I would call the big box mentality. If someone purchases a bicycle from a big box store like Wal-Mart, is it actually better than one bought from the local bike shop downtown? Probably not – and the level of service the customer receives from the small shop downtown is probably going to be much better. The big box mentality is the same for almost any type of business – including web design. Overcoming the often ill-conceived notion that bigger is better is a tough obstacle to hurdle, but it can be done.
Website Design Priced Right
In my area, I try to keep my prices low to match the local economy. Could I charge the same rates as a web designer in New York City? I could, but I won’t. The reason is simple – the majority of small businesses in my local area can’t afford to pay a designer upwards of $200 or more per hour for my services. Are the services I offer worth $200 per hour? Sure they are – in the right area, just not here. Since the bread-and-butter of my business is with local companies, I want to make sure I cater to their every need – including the price.
Having a low price often creates its own problems. One question I have been often asked is, “Why are your prices so low?” When a client is used to seeing inflated prices for website design services, they’ll often have this misconceived notion that they’re not getting the same level of service. This simply isn’t true, and I’m often forced to explain myself to them. After I explain the circumstances that I’m not out to extort them for every dime in their bank account, they usually very understanding and we share a good laugh. After all, one of the fundamental principles of the Apheus business philosophy is the sharing of knowledge.