What usually makes you lose money is not the high build cost, but a website that doesn’t work. Before signing, clarify these seven points.
AIIT Practical Guide for SMEs · Written around the realities of Hong Kong SMEs
Many bosses choose a web design company based on the first question: “How much does it cost?” But what usually makes you lose money is not the high build cost, buta website that doesn’t work: visitors won’t enquire, mobile users can’t access it, changes cost extra, or you only realise years later that you don’t control the website.
So instead of asking “Which company is cheapest?”, ask “Which company can build a website that genuinely helps my business?”
This is the most important point. If the domain is registered under the design company’s own account, you will need their cooperation to get it back if you want to switch providers later. The standard practice is:The domain is registered in your company’s name, and you own the account and password, with the design company only authorized to help you set it up.
Most Hong Kong customers find you on their phones. Check sites they have created yourself on your phone: Do you have to zoom in to read the text? Are the buttons easy to tap? Can you fill in the forms on mobile? If they only demonstrate on a computer, proactively ask to see the mobile version.
Many disputes start here. Some companies charge to change a single line of text, while others include basic revisions. You need to ask:How many revisions are included, how substantial can they be, and how are extra changes charged?, preferably in writing.
Basic technical setup includes page titles and meta descriptions, language tags, structured data, sitemap, and loading speed. These are fundamental and should not be treated as “additional advanced services” that cost you a hefty sum.
Also, be especially careful if a vendor promises to “guarantee a No. 1 ranking on Google.” Rankings depend on competitors, content, and timing, and no one can legally guarantee them.
The most time-consuming parts of a website are usually the copy and images. Find out whether the vendor will help organise the initial drafts or whether you need to write everything yourself and then hand it over. If you are not skilled at copywriting, this will directly affect how quickly you can launch.
Domain annual fees, hosting fees, maintenance fees, and add-on feature fees — ask for an itemised breakdown and work out thethree-year total cost, rather than looking only at the first year’s build cost. Some quotes are cheap in the first year but increase annually, making them more expensive over the long term.
You should be able to take back the website files, content, and domain control. If they say, “Our system can’t be moved,” you’re locked in and will have no bargaining power over future price increases.
We design websites by first understanding your business and customers, then clearly outlining the number of pages, languages, features, what’s included, and what’s excluded. We only start after you approve. The domain is registered in your company’s name, and basic technical SEO setup is included. AI customer service can also be added to handle repetitive inquiries.
Details:AI Website Design Services · orTell us what you needWe’ll get back to you.
4. Website prices for Hong Kong SMEs vary widely, mainly depending on the number of pages, languages and features. A five-page company profile website may cost several times more than a website with member sign-in and online payment. Therefore, before quoting a price, they must clarify exactly what you need.
6. If you just want to try it out and have a minimal budget, a free platform is a sensible starting point. However, you are usually restricted by its templates and features, making it difficult to move elsewhere later. Some platforms also display their advertisements on your website.
8. These typically include an annual domain fee, Managed Hosting fee, and content update or maintenance costs. Before signing a contract, ask about these recurring fees and do not focus only on the one-off development cost.
10. It depends on your customers. If you mainly serve local Hong Kong customers, Traditional Chinese and English should be sufficient. If you have customers or suppliers in Mainland China who will view your website, adding Simplified Chinese will make things much easier.
You tell us what you need, and we’ll tell you what’s included, what’s not, and the cost. No hard sell.
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