Every startup knows that it is key to stay lean and run a business on the cheap. We don’t have tons of startup capital and our bank accounts are running month to month. But... When investing in your company, are you being too cheap? Are you repaying others to fix cheap investments? Lets discuss. 

I run a web design firm in Fort Collins. Every day we work with small companies who inevitably bought cheap services, ranging from web design, development, and marketing. I would bet that 70% of our business is simply fixing others mistakes. While I don't mind that customers come to me with these issues, I am alarmed at the incredible amount of terrible work that other service providers are selling. 

So what is the issue?

Well, I would say it is 2 things.

1. It is easy to create a logo, do some SEO, or design a website if you have half a clue how to do so. I can change my own oil, but that doesn’t mean I should be rebuilding engines. 
2. People are willing to pay the least amount for something, if someone is willing to do the work for a cut rate.

So what you have is a group of sudo professionals providing services to customers that think they are getting professional services at an affordable rate. Honestly if you cannot afford to pay full price, you should be learning how to setup a site on your own. At that point the service and end result will be better. 

So how can we remedy this issue?

1. Give every contractor a scope of work not just an idea. I get asked so many times "what does a website cost". It's like asking "what does a house cost". It depends on an infinite amount of variables and it ranges (a lot). Your contractor can give you an accurate bid in minutes as long as they know exactly what you are looking for.
2. Submit your scope to several contractors. Ask them for feedback on your scope. Get a bid.
3. At this point you should have a range of what your site will cost. Start saving and planning for that range. If you don't you will end up with a cut rate mess that I will be fixing later. :)

At the end of the day, knowing what your site should really cost and planning to pay those costs will end up saving you. So many customers I work with, would have spent less overall if they had simply followed those rules. 

If you are in the market for Branding, Web Design, Development, Marketing, Maintenance, or Code Rescue - send us a note. We would be happy to tell you what it really takes to stay lean and be successful.