Why Small Businesses Should Avoid £99 Website Packages

For many small businesses, especially those just starting out, a “£99 website” can sound tempting. At first glance, it feels affordable, quick, and good enough to get your business online. But in reality, these ultra-cheap website deals often end up costing far more than they save — in lost customers, poor performance, and ongoing fixes.

As a web designer in Aberdeen, I’ve rebuilt countless websites that started as £99 packages. The business owners always say the same thing:

“I wish I had just done it properly the first time.”

Here’s why small businesses should think twice before choosing a bargain-bin website.

Why Small Businesses Should Avoid £99 Website Packages

1. £99 websites are usually built from outdated templates

Most cheap website packages use the same old generic templates, often copied and pasted across dozens of businesses. That means:

• Your brand won’t stand out

• Your website will look similar to many others

• Custom features are usually impossible

• You get a “one-size-fits-all” layout regardless of your needs

A strong website should reflect your business, not a recycled design used by many others.

2. Little to no SEO - meaning you won’t show up on Google

This is one of the biggest issues.

Most £99 websites:

• Don’t include keyword research

• Don’t have properly structured pages

• Don’t include meta descriptions or alt tags

• Don’t set up Google indexing

• Aren’t submitted to Google Search Console

Without SEO, you simply won’t appear in searches like:

• “hairdresser Aberdeen”

• “local plumber”

• “web design Aberdeen”

A website without SEO is like printing 1,000 flyers… and keeping them in a drawer.

3. Poor mobile design = lost customers

In 2025, more than 70% of people browse on their phones.

Cheap websites often:

• Break on mobile

• Don’t resize properly

• Have buttons that don’t work

• Load slowly

• Look unprofessional on smaller screens

Customers click away within seconds — and Google penalises slow, unresponsive sites.

4. No branding support

£99 packages don’t include:

• Brand colours

• Typography choices

• Professional layout advice

• Image optimisation

• Content strategy

Your website ends up looking mismatched and messy, which creates a poor first impression and reduces trust.

5. You don’t own your website

Many “£99 website” companies:

• Lock you into their platform

• Charge monthly fees you can’t escape

• Restrict access to the backend

• Don’t let you move your site elsewhere

• Hold your domain hostage

You think you’re getting a cheap deal, but you’re actually paying for a website you don’t control.

6. Hidden costs appear later

The £99 is only the hook.

You’re then charged extra for:

• Adding new pages

• Customisation

• SEO work

• Content changes

• Domain setup

• Email setup

• Hosting upgrades

• Fixing errors

• Basic support

Suddenly, your £99 website becomes a £600+ website - and still performs poorly.

7. No ongoing support when things go wrong

With cheap packages, support is:

• Slow

• Limited

• Overseas

• Non-existent

When your contact form stops working, your website goes down, or Google removes your indexing - you're left stressed, frustrated, and unsure who to turn to.

A reliable web designer offers ongoing support, updates, and a relationship built on trust.

8. Cheap websites damage your credibility

Customers judge your business within seconds.If your website looks like a £99 template, people assume:

• Your business isn’t established

• Your services aren’t high quality

• You’re not trustworthy

• You’re not professional

This is especially true for trades, salons, therapists, coaches, charities, and small local businesses.

A bad website actively loses you clients.

9. Cheap builds = no strategy

Good websites are built with:

• User journeys

• Marketing goals

• Clear calls to action

• Professional copywriting

• Accessibility standards

• Local search optimisation

£99 websites don’t include any of this - they only provide a basic design with no thought behind it.

10. You will end up paying twice

Why Small Businesses Should Avoid £99 Website Packages.

This is the most common scenario:

1. Business buys a £99 website

2. Realises it’s poor quality

3. Finds out SEO wasn’t included

4. Struggles to get enquiries

5. Pays a professional to rebuild it properly

In the end, the business spends more money, more time, and more frustration than if they had just invested in a proper site from the beginning.

A professional website is an investment - not an expense

A high-quality website helps your business:

• Rank on Google

• Build trust

• Attract customers

• Stand out in Aberdeen

• Reduce admin

• Look professional

• Grow sustainably

Instead of a cheap, quick fix, you get a long-term asset that works for you.

If you’re considering a new website, here’s how I can help

I create:

✔ Modern, fast, mobile-friendly websites

✔ Designs tailored to your brand

✔ SEO-optimised content

✔ Accessible, user-friendly layouts

✔ Affordable packages for small businesses

✔ Ongoing support whenever you need it

I’m based in Aberdeen and work with local businesses, charities, freelancers, and community groups.

If you’d like friendly advice or a free quote, you can contact me at:

👉 www.nicolalonie.co.uk