Editor note: This article has been updated to provide more in-depth information and accuracy as of 2018

We have a range of clients covering all types of business throughout the UK.

The range of expectations on the design and build costs of a website are equally varied. We can quote the same price to 2 different clients and get the answer "that price is much lower than I thought" from one, and "that price is much higher than I thought" from the other.

The answer is sometimes both, depending on the initial expectations the client has. Often a business will look at multiple suppliers. When they do so, they get completely different costs for what seems to be the exact same work.

However, when you dig a bit deeper, you will often see a disparity in what has been quoted and the skills of the web designers.

When you receive a quotation, you should always look past the figure at the bottom. Focus your attention on the work that has been quoted for.

A low-cost figure does not mean a bargain nor does a high figure mean you are receiving the best or ultimate option.

It's all about what the developer is actually going to deliver.

There are many available supplier options for companies looking to have a website build. Here are the most common:

We have all seen the 1and1 My Website advert; this type of set up is the lowest cost option for an organisation looking for a new website.

For a small scale startup, this may be the way to go. However, don't expect anything that will help you stand out from the crowd or be great for search results.

The main missing ingredient here though is help, advice and expertise. If you have a problem with your plumbing, you can buy a self-help book and some tools.

This is the equivalent of an online template website.

For the very small and simple plumbing job, a bit of DIY will be fine, but there comes a point where advice, help and the skills of a trained expert are required to get the job done right.

This option often brings a relatively low-cost solution for the smaller business. You have someone who makes a living doing what you need.

Costs are often lower because the web designer works from home and has little or no overhead. You can also often get fairly quick response time.

On the other hand, you could deal with an expert who has built their personal brand around their skills. This could then see you spending a larger sum of money to get the work completed at a higher quality.

The downsides to this options are:

Limited skill sets - the designer may be a great designer but not great at coding or web marketing or visa versa.

Reliability - Sometimes, the business fails, the designer gets a job and/or they simply disappear. This then leaves you with no support, out of money and no access to your website.

Before making a decision, you should always consider every possibility.

Typically in the UK web design companies are between 3 and 10 staff in size. This means that they have overheads, which by nature means that the costs are likely to be higher than a sole trader.

This type of company will typically employ staff with a range of skills, including designers, back-end developers and marketers. As a result, you are often tapping into all of their available resources.

Instructing a web design company rather than a web designer does not necessarily mean that you will get a better end result. There are lots of good freelancers, but for the reasons above, a company can often offer more than a sole trader.

Businesses look at the investment they put into their website as solely financial, but it is much more than that.

It is the window the world uses to look at your company on the Internet, often in conjunction with your competitor's websites. Do not just judge the quotations you get based on how much they cost.

Instead, judge them on what value they will bring to your business. Check their portfolio first. Always meet the supplier and take note of the type of questions he or she asks you.

The best supplier will want to get to know your business, but more importantly, your clients.

The right supplier may not be the one with the lowest cost - they will be the one that delivers the best site for you.

This needs to be correctly coded, designed for engagement and advises and supports your business. Before, during and after the site build is complete.

The best supplier for you will be the one that offers the most value. Sometimes, this will be for a price that you may not have initially considered.

Focusing too much on the pricing can limit the options that you have. For example:

You may not be willing to spend more than £4000 for a website. What if your perfect website costs £4500. Would you pay for it then?

These questions should be considered when you are speaking with the supplier of your choice.

You should always make your decision based on the supplier and value, not the price. As mentioned previously, the price does not necessarily dictate the level of quality you receive.

Understanding the values the supplier has is also equally important. What is their process? Who is part of their team? What is the communication like?

Once you have the answers to these questions, you will be able to determine whether the supplier is right for you. Then, you can consider the pricing.

Struggling to find the best fit for you? Give us a call on 0133247757 and talk to us about your requirements.