Is the cheapest quote the best?
When looking for a quote for your next website or quote for media work, you will probably be confronted with a range of prices, high and low. Grafton Media investigates whether the cheapest quote really is the best, or whether you should bite the bullet and spend a bit more.
Is the cheapest quote the best?
Well, the short answer is no, but the longer answer is maybe.
In the majority of cases, the sad answer is you really do get what you pay for. At Grafton Media we have had many clients coming to us after they opted for the cheapest quote, desperate for something fixed on their website or piece of artwork which was done badly by a company who had the cheapest quote.
Ask yourself: How long will it take for my project to be completed? How much do staff wages cost? And therefore, how can they offer it so cheaply?
Sadly, some companies are able to offer work cheaper as they’re outsourcing your project to another country with cheaper rates, or they’re taking templates off the shelf and sticking your logo over the top. This means the end product of your site isn’t great, as it falls apart in some browsers or looks identical to others.
Opting for the cheapest quote means that you’ll probably be getting sub-standard service, but it is possible to choose the cheapest quote and get away with it. We would only recommend choosing the cheapest quote if:
- If it’s a web page you’re getting built, make sure you’re comfortable coding yourself incase something goes wrong.
Usually cheaper work won’t come up to scratch, and won’t conform to web standards. This leaves your site badly formatted in older browsers and it won’t render correctly. If you’re familiar with html then you can (hopefully) fix it yourself. - You project is a small one.
If your project is any larger than a simple webpage or a small piece of artwork, you’ll want to consider how they can offer it so cheaply. They may be taking a using a template so your website looks exactly the same as others, or they may be an inexperienced company. - The company you choose has a native language that is the same as yours and is in a country you trust.
This tip is very important. Removing language barriers means people can understand exactly what your requirements are and get it right first time. Make sure you trust the country they’re working in too. If you’re not familiar with your rights as a consumer in their country, don’t use them! Also keep in mind the time difference between your countries. - Ask for past work examples.
If they haven’t provided you with them already, ask for examples of their past work. You wouldn’t buy a new car without visiting the showroom first, and websites are similar. Take the time to research the company’s work and ask if they have any customer testimonials too.
