What Budget Website Providers Don’t Tell You (Until It’s Too Late)

If you’re in construction, trades, facilities management or utilities, you’ve probably been pitched a “professional” website for under £500. It sounds like a steal – until you realise it’s missing everything that actually makes a website work. Many businesses fall into this trap and end up paying twice. At Green Ape Media, we help clients get it right the first time – no hidden extras, no cheap templates, no headaches.

Key Points

• Budget websites often cost more in the long run – from missing essentials to unexpected fees.
• In trades, construction and FM, a poor website doesn’t just look bad – it loses trust and work.
• Green Ape Media offers a clear, dependable and future-ready alternative – with no surprises.

What They Don’t Mention in the Small Print

Most low-cost websites cut corners. That’s how they keep the price low – and it’s why they never tell you what’s missing upfront. Here’s what those bargain packages often skip:

• Domain and email setup – You’ll often be told to buy and configure this yourself.
• No real security – SSL certificates might be excluded or cost extra, making your site look unsafe to visitors.
• Limited pages – Want more than three pages? That’s another charge.
• Template lock-in – Changes to layout, colours or functionality? Not included.
• No SEO setup – Your site won’t appear in search unless you pay extra for the basics.
• Mobile version not optimised – Mobile performance can be clunky or broken without upgrades.
• Extras for essentials – Forms, contact buttons, or image galleries often come with added cost.

The High Cost of Looking Cheap

Your clients, suppliers and prospects will check your website before doing business with you. If your site is broken, slow, or poorly designed, it reflects directly on your work. In these industries, trust matters – and if your website looks like it was built in an afternoon, that trust disappears.

Worse still, cheap websites rarely scale with your business. If you grow, launch new services, or want to target new markets, a limited website holds you back.

Where the Real Damage Happens

Even after launch, these budget options keep costing you:

• Ongoing changes – Every small update or content change can incur hourly charges.
• Vendor lock-in – You might not even own your own site or content, making it hard to switch provider.
• Slow load times – Poor hosting and bloated templates mean lost users and worse search rankings.
• Security risks – Outdated code and lack of support leave you open to hacks or site crashes.
• No analytics – No insight into who’s visiting or what’s working unless you pay more.

What If Your Website Just… Worked?

We do things differently – and transparently. Our websites are built with your long-term success in mind, designed specifically for the construction and trade industries:

• Flexible payment plans – Spread the cost monthly or choose a 40/40/20 split to match your cashflow.
• Custom-built websites – No templates. Just tailored, brand-aligned design that reflects your business properly.
• Everything essential included – From SEO setup to mobile optimisation, forms, contact integrations and more.
• Fast, secure and reliable – Our builds run smoothly and are designed to evolve as you do.
• Support when you need it – We’re on hand for minor edits and updates without constant billing.

The Last Website You’ll Ever Need

We don’t build websites that need replacing in two years. We design for longevity, performance, and future growth – so you can build once and build right. With smart architecture, scalable platforms, and brand-aligned design, your website will continue working for you as your business evolves.

Think of it as your digital HQ – one that won’t go out of date, doesn’t need constant rebuilding, and represents your business at every stage of its journey.

Curious What That Could Look Like for You?

If you’re tired of temporary fixes and endless rebuilds, let’s create something that lasts. Talk to us today about your next (and final) website – and how we can build it to work now and long into the future.