What we see repeatedly, is that a cheap website build often ends up costing far more than expected.
Not just in money, but in lost enquiries, weak first impressions and missed opportunities to compete properly online.
At Silky Ocean Studios, we are not the cheapest web design agency in Reading, and we are very open about that. What we are is affordable, transparent and focused on performance. A significant amount of our work now involves fixing or rebuilding websites that were originally built on a tight budget and simply did not deliver.
This article explains why that happens, what the real costs usually look like, and how businesses in Reading can avoid making the same mistake.
Why cheap websites rarely perform as expected
A common assumption is that all websites essentially do the same job. In reality, the difference between a cheap website and a professionally built one is rarely visual alone.
A low-cost website may exist online, but that does not mean it will rank well on Google, convert visitors into enquiries, or represent your business in a way that builds trust. In many cases, it does the opposite.
The biggest mistake small businesses make when choosing a cheap website is expecting it to perform how they need it to. Google typically underperforms as a traffic source, enquiries do not come through, and a cheap looking site can actively put potential customers off, particularly when competitors are investing properly in their digital presence.
The problems we most often fix when rebuilding cheap websites
When businesses come to us after a budget build, the issues are usually very consistent.
Weak SEO foundations
Poor SEO foundations are one of the most expensive problems to fix later on. Many cheap websites launch with messy structures, unclear page hierarchies, poorly formed URLs and thin content that does not target real search intent.
The result is a website that struggles to gain traction in Google, even months or years after launch. When traffic does arrive, it is often irrelevant or unlikely to convert. Fixing this typically involves restructuring the site, rewriting content and undoing early decisions that should never have been made.
If local visibility matters to you, especially for searches related to web design in Reading, these foundations are critical.
No enquiries, despite traffic
Another common issue is a lack of conversions. We regularly review websites that receive some traffic but generate little or no business value.
This is usually because the site has no clear calls to action, weak page flow and no real consideration for how users move through content. A website should guide visitors towards a next step, whether that is making contact, requesting a quote or booking a call. If it does not, it becomes a passive brochure rather than a growth tool.
Slow performance and poor Core Web Vitals
Cheap themes, heavy page builders and low quality hosting often lead to slow load times and a poor mobile experience. This affects both user trust and SEO performance.
Visitors leave faster, engagement drops and Google takes notice. Performance issues are rarely quick fixes, they often require deeper technical work or a full rebuild to resolve properly.
What do we actually mean by “cheap” website design?
When we talk about cheap websites, we are not referring to every lower-cost project.
In our experience, “cheap” usually means websites built primarily to hit a very low price point, often under £500–£800, where speed and cost take priority over structure, performance and long-term results.
At that level, there is rarely enough time or budget to properly consider SEO foundations, content structure, conversion journeys or ongoing scalability.
For context, most of the websites we build for Reading businesses typically sit in the £1,500–£2,500 range, depending on size and complexity. That allows us to design and build sites that are fast, search-friendly, conversion-focused and built to grow with the business.
The issue is not that budget websites exist, it is that they are often expected to perform like professional ones.
Cheap website vs professional website, what is the real difference?
The contrast between a cheap website and a professionally built one is not just about price. It is about outcomes.
| Area | Cheap Website Build | Professional Website Build |
|---|---|---|
| SEO foundations | Minimal or incorrect setup | Structured for long term visibility |
| Performance | Slow, bloated, poor mobile experience | Fast, optimised and scalable |
| Conversions | Little thought given to user journeys | Designed to generate enquiries |
| Brand perception | Often undermines credibility | Reinforces trust and quality |
| Longevity | Short lifespan, frequent rebuilds | Built to grow with the business |
For many businesses, the professional option is actually more cost-effective over time, because it avoids the need to rebuild after a year or two.
A real example
When a local office design business based in Reading came to us, their website was holding them back significantly.
It was extremely dated and, more importantly, it did not reflect the quality of the commercial spaces they design for other businesses. The disconnect between their work and their website created a credibility gap.
After rebuilding the site with a clear structure, improved performance and a design that matched their brand and expertise, traffic increased, brand recognition improved, and the business presented itself far more confidently to new clients.
This is a good example of the hidden cost of a cheap website, not just what you pay upfront, but what it prevents you from achieving.
Why this matters even more for Reading businesses
For businesses in Reading and the wider Berkshire area, competition is often local and direct. Your website is not judged in isolation, it is compared directly against nearby competitors offering similar services.
If two businesses appear similar on paper, the one with the clearer, faster and more professional website almost always wins the enquiry. A cheap website does not just underperform, it can actively damage trust.
This is particularly relevant if you are investing in local SEO or trying to compete for commercial search terms linked to your services.
When a cheap website becomes the expensive option
By the time many businesses contact us, they have already paid for the original build, multiple fixes and months or years of lost momentum.
At that point, they are facing a redesign, a rebuild or a full SEO reset. This is when the real cost becomes clear.
How to avoid this mistake
You do not need the most expensive website available. You do need one that is built properly from the start.
That means clear structure, strong SEO foundations, fast performance, and a design that reflects the quality of your business. Most importantly, it means a website built to convert, not just exist.
If you are currently exploring your options, it is worth understanding what a professional approach to web design in Reading actually looks like, and what you should expect from it.
Thinking about a new website in Reading?
If you are weighing up options, or wondering whether your current site is holding you back, a proper review is often the best place to start.
We work closely with Reading based businesses and regularly meet clients in person to talk through their goals, challenges and opportunities.
You may find it helpful to:
- Read more about our web design services in Reading
- Or request a website audit to understand what is working, what is not, and where the biggest opportunities are