Let me guess – your website was built by your nephew, a mate who “knows computers,” or that guy down at the pub who said he could “whip something up cheap.” Sound familiar?
Here’s the thing: I get it. When you’re running a business, the last thing you want to think about is websites. You’ve got real work to do, customers to serve, and bills to pay. So when someone offers to sort out your online presence for a few hundred bucks, it seems like a no-brainer.
But here’s what nobody tells you – that “cheap” website might be the most expensive thing you’ve ever bought.
The Real Cost of a Mate’s Rates Website
Picture this: You’re a plumber in Gympie, and your phone rings at 6am on a Sunday. Burst pipe, water everywhere, desperate customer. They found you… where exactly?
If you’re relying on word of mouth alone, you’re missing out on the majority of customers who are searching online first. And if your website looks like it was built in 2010 (which it probably was), those potential customers are clicking straight through to your competitor.
That “free” website your nephew built? It might have just cost you a $3,000 bathroom renovation job.
What’s Wrong with DIY and Mate’s Rates Websites?
Look, I’m not having a go at your nephew. I’m sure he’s a good kid. But building a website that actually brings in customers is like doing electrical work – just because you can YouTube it doesn’t mean you should.
Here’s what I see when I audit these “mate’s rates” websites:
They look unprofessional. 75% of consumers judge a business’s credibility based on their website design. Your customers are judging your business within just 0.05 seconds of landing on your site. If it looks like something from the early 2000s, they’re assuming your business standards match.
They don’t work on phones. Over 60% of searches now occur on mobile devices. If your site doesn’t work properly on a phone, you’ve just lost the majority of your potential business.
Google can’t find them. Your mate might know how to make a website, but does he know how to make Google love it? If you’re not showing up when people search for your services, your beautiful website might as well not exist.
They break. WordPress needs updates, plugins need maintenance, and security needs monitoring. When was the last time your nephew checked on your site? Still working? Are you sure?
The “Main Street” Principle
Think about where you’d put your physical shop. Would you choose a busy main street where everyone can see you, or a back alley where nobody walks?
Page 1 of Google is the main street of the internet. That’s where your customers are looking, and that’s where your competitors are setting up shop. If your website isn’t bringing you customers, it’s like having a beautiful shopfront on a dead-end street in the middle of nowhere.
What Professional Web Design Actually Gets You
A professionally built website isn’t just about looking good (though that matters). It’s about creating a 24/7 sales machine that works while you sleep.
Strategic SEO from day one. We don’t just build websites – we build them to be found. Every page, every heading, every image is optimised to help Google understand what you do and show you to the right customers.
Mobile-first design. Your site will work perfectly on every device, because we know your customers are searching on phones while standing in knee-deep water at 6am.
Conversion-focused layout. Every element is designed to guide visitors towards one goal – picking up the phone and calling you.
Ongoing maintenance and support. Your website stays updated, secure, and performing at its best. No nasty surprises when you need it most.
The Investment That Pays for Itself
I know what you’re thinking – “This sounds expensive.” But let me put it in perspective.
If your average job is worth $2,000 and a professional website brings you just one extra customer every two months, it more than pays for itself within the year. Most of our clients see results much faster than that.
Compare that to your current situation. How many potential customers have you lost because your website made them question your professionalism? How many jobs have gone to competitors simply because they looked more established online?
The real question isn’t whether you can afford professional web design – it’s whether you can afford to keep losing customers to competitors who invested in their online presence.
What Successful Gympie Businesses Know
The businesses dominating local search results didn’t get there by accident. They invested in professional websites that work as hard as they do.
While you’re on the tools, your website should be working – answering common questions, showcasing your best work, and making it easy for customers to contact you. A professionally designed website can increase conversion rates by up to 400%.
Think of your website as your best employee. It never calls in sick, never asks for a raise, and works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. But only if it’s built properly.
Time to Make a Choice
You’ve got two options:
Option 1: Keep limping along with your current website, hoping word of mouth is enough while watching competitors steal your customers online.
Option 2: Invest in a professional website that positions your business as the obvious choice when customers are ready to buy.
The choice seems obvious when you put it like that, doesn’t it?
Ready to Stop Losing Customers?
If you’re tired of watching potential customers slip through your fingers because your online presence doesn’t match the quality of your work, it’s time for a change.
At Gympie Web Design, we specialise in building websites that actually work for local businesses. No jargon, no false promises – just honest advice and proven results from a local team that understands the Gympie market.
Want to see what your website really looks like to potential customers? We’ll give you a free, honest assessment of your current site and show you exactly what’s holding you back.
Because your business deserves better than a mate’s rates website.