A Different Approach to Web Design: Why My Prices Are Purposefully Affordable

Let's be honest about the web design industry: it's broken. On one side, you have agencies charging $5,000-$15,000+ for basic websites that often perform worse than what we build for a fraction of the cost. On the other side, you have DIY platforms like WordPress and Wix that promise "easy" website building but leave you drowning in technical problems, security issues, and performance nightmares.

I've intentionally positioned my service in the middle ground that barely exists – delivering high quality, custom websites at prices that businesses can actually afford. Here's why I do it this way, and why you won't find anyone else offering what I’m offering.

The Web Design Industry's Pricing Problem

The Agency Route: Premium Prices for Subpar Results

Most web design agencies operate on a model that's frankly insulting to small business owners. They charge $5,000, $10,000, or even $20,000+ for websites that:

• Are built on WordPress (the same platform you could use yourself)
• Load slowly due to bloated code and unnecessary plugins
• Require constant updates and maintenance
• Are vulnerable to security breaches
• Look like they came from a template (because they often do)

These agencies justify their high prices by claiming "custom design" while using the same WordPress themes and page builders they've used for dozens of other clients. You're paying luxury prices for mass-produced results.

The real kicker? After paying these astronomical fees, you're often left with a website that performs worse than what I build for $150/month. It's like paying Ferrari prices for a car that runs like it has sugar in the gas tank.

The DIY Route: Cheap Upfront, Expensive Long-Term

On the flip side, platforms like WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace promise you can "build your own website for cheap." And technically, you can. But here's what they don't tell you:

You become the tech support: When your site breaks (and it will), you're on your own. Plugin conflicts, security vulnerabilities, slow loading times – these become your problems to solve.

Hidden costs add up quickly: That $15/month WordPress site suddenly needs premium plugins ($30/month), better hosting ($50/month), security services ($25/month), and backup solutions ($20/month). Before you know it, you're spending more than my monthly fee for a site that still doesn't perform as well as ours.

Time is money: How many hours will you spend learning WordPress, troubleshooting issues, and updating plugins? At $50/hour (a conservative estimate of your time's value), even 10 hours of work per month costs you $500 – more than triple our monthly fee. I go more in depth about that on another Blog I posted: The Hidden Cost of Website Maintenance for Small Business Owners.

Security nightmares: WordPress sites are hacked every day. When yours gets compromised, you'll either spend days fixing it yourself or pay hundreds to have someone else clean up the mess.

Why I’m Affordable on Purpose

Mission: Making Quality Web Design Accessible

I didn't set my prices at $150/month by accident. I specifically chose this price point because I believe small businesses deserve better than the industry's current options. Here's my thinking:

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They shouldn't have to choose between an overpriced agency website and a DIY disaster. They deserve access to professional, high-performing websites that actually help their business grow.

I can afford to charge less because I’m efficient. While agencies have overhead costs, office rent, and layers of management, I operate lean. I focus on what matters: building exceptional websites that perform. I don’t offer much more than that because I know I’m good at high quality basics.

My business model is built for the long term. Instead of one-time project fees, I build ongoing relationships. This allows me to invest more time in each website upfront while maintaining sustainable pricing.

What You Get for $150/Month That Others Charge Thousands For

When you work with me, you're not just getting a website – you're getting:

100% Custom Websites: No WordPress, no page builders, no bloated code. Every line is written specifically for your business, resulting in websites that load in under 0.5 seconds.

Enterprise-Grade Security: With no databases or plugins to hack, my static websites are virtually impenetrable. Your site is secure.

Perfect Performance Scores: My websites consistently achieve 98-100/100 on Google PageSpeed Insights, giving you a competitive advantage in search results.

Unlimited Updates: Need to change your hours, add new services, or update your pricing? I’ll handle all content updates at no extra charge.

24/7 Support: When you have questions or need changes, you're not talking to a support queue – you're talking to the person who built your site.

Ongoing Optimization: I continuously monitor and improve your site's performance, keeping you ahead of the competition.

Why You Won't Find Anyone Else Doing This

The Industry Standard is Broken

Most web developers and agencies operate on one of two models:

1. High-volume, low-quality: Pump out as many WordPress sites as possible using templates and charge $5,000-$10,000+ each
2. Low-volume, high-price: Take on fewer projects but charge $10,000-$20,000+ for "custom" work that's often just expensive WordPress development

Both models prioritize short-term profits over long-term client success.

My Approach is Intentionally Different

I prioritize relationships over transactions. Instead of building your site and moving on, I become your long-term digital partner. This approach requires patience and a different mindset than most agencies have.

I focus on results, not just deliverables. My success is measured by your website's performance and your business growth, not by how quickly I can finish a project and move to the next one.

I’m not trying to scale to 1,000 clients. I’ve intentionally kept my client base manageable so I can provide exceptional service to each business I work with.

The Technical Advantage

While other developers rely on WordPress, I’ve invested in mastering coding techniques that deliver superior results:

• Custom development creates websites that perform better forever
• Static site deployment is more complex than WordPress hosting but delivers unmatched speed and security

What This Means for Your Business

You Get the Best of Both Worlds

With Lamplighter, you get:

• Agency-quality results without agency prices
• Professional expertise without DIY headaches
• Custom development without enterprise costs
• Ongoing support without ongoing hassles

Your Competition is Stuck in the Old Model

While your competitors are either:

• Paying thousands for slow WordPress sites, or
• Struggling with DIY platforms that constantly break

You'll have a lightning-fast, professionally designed website that converts visitors into customers – all for less than most businesses spend on their phone bill.

Our Two Simple Pricing Tiers

We keep our pricing structure simple and transparent – no hidden fees, no surprise charges, no confusing packages. We offer two tiers designed to meet different business needs:

Standard Business Website - $150/Month

Perfect for most small businesses that need a professional online presence:

• Up to 5 pages of custom content
• 30+ hours of design and development
• 100% custom coded from scratch
• Lightning-fast loading (under 0.5 seconds)
• Mobile-first design that looks perfect on all devices
• Hosting included – no separate hosting bills
• 24/7 support with direct access to your developer
• Unlimited content edits whenever you need changes
• Perfect Google PageSpeed scores (98-100/100)
• Enterprise-grade security with no databases to hack

Growth Business Website - $250/Month

For businesses ready to expand their digital presence:

• Up to 10 pages of custom content
• 40+ hours of design and development
• 100% custom coded from scratch
• Lightning-fast loading (under 0.5 seconds)
• Mobile-first design that looks perfect on all devices
• Hosting included – no separate hosting bills
• 24/7 support with direct access to your developer
• Unlimited content edits whenever you need changes
• Perfect Google PageSpeed scores (98-100/100)
• Enterprise-grade security with no databases to hack
• Blog integration for content marketing
• Chat bot integration for customer service
• Advanced local SEO optimization
• Custom features tailored to your industry needs

Both packages include the same level of craftsmanship, security, and ongoing support. The difference is simply the scope and complexity of features.

The math is simple: most businesses save thousands in the first year alone, while getting a website that performs better than what others charge premium prices for.

Experience the Difference

I’m not trying to be everything to everyone. I’m specifically designed for small businesses that want professional results without the professional price tag.

If you're tired of the industry's broken pricing model and want a website that actually helps your business grow, let's talk. I’ll show you exactly what makes my approach different and how it can transform your online presence.

Ready to get started? Let's build something amazing together – at a price that actually makes sense for your business.

Contact Joe:

• Call or Text: (719) 357-8727
• Email: joe@lamplighterwebdesign.com
• Contact Form