Making informed decisions about your website - whether for business or personal projects
Independent Market Analysis • 2026Whether you're a business owner, creative professional, or individual with a project, you deserve to understand your options when investing in a website. This guide helps you ask the right questions and make informed decisions based on our analysis of the local web development market.
Our goal: Help you choose the right technology and partner for your needs, whether that's us or someone else.
To help you make informed decisions, we analyzed 17 web development companies serving the Hermanus/Overberg region. Whether you're planning a business website, personal portfolio, or creative project, here's what we found:
Note: This research was conducted to understand market standards and help businesses make informed comparisons. All data is based on publicly available information.
Before choosing a web developer, whether for business or personal projects, consider these important factors:
There are two main approaches to building websites today. Understanding the difference helps you make the right choice:
Technology: WordPress, Joomla, or similar content management systems
How it works: Uses templates and plugins to create websites
Pros:
Considerations:
Technology: Next.js, React, or similar modern frameworks
How it works: Custom-built from the ground up for your business
Pros:
Considerations:
Web developers use different pricing approaches, each with their own advantages depending on your needs:
Example: "5-page website for R8,500" or "Wedding website for R3,500"
How it works: Price determined by number of pages
Good for: Simple brochure websites, personal portfolios, or event sites with predictable content structure
Consider: May not account for complex functionality or custom features you need
Example: "Photography portfolio from R6,000" or "Business site from R8,000"
How it works: Modify existing templates to fit your brand or style
Good for: Individuals or businesses wanting professional look quickly and cost-effectively
Consider: Limited customization, may look similar to others using same template
Example: "Wedding RSVP system - R12,000" or "Restaurant booking system - R15,000"
How it works: Price based on specific functionality and value delivered
Good for: Anyone needing custom solutions aligned with their specific goals
Consider: Higher investment but potentially better results for your specific needs
Ask: "What technology will you use and why is it the best choice for my business?"
Look for: Clear explanation of technology choice and how it benefits your specific needs
Market insight: Our research found that all 17 local companies use WordPress or legacy systems. Consider asking about modern alternatives like Next.js or React.
Ask: "How fast will my website load, and can you guarantee performance?"
Look for: Specific load time commitments and examples of fast sites they've built
Market insight: Industry best practice is mobile speed scores of 90+. Ask to see actual performance metrics from their recent projects.
Ask: "How do you determine pricing and what's included in the investment?"
Look for: Clear explanation of what drives the cost and what value you receive
Market insight: Different pricing models work for different needs. Page-based pricing can work for simple sites, while business-outcome pricing may be better for custom functionality. Understand what approach fits your goals.
Ask: "Do I own my website completely, and can I move it if needed?"
Look for: Clear ownership terms and no vendor lock-in arrangements
Market insight: Many providers create dependencies through hosting or maintenance requirements. Understand your long-term flexibility.
Ask: "What will I pay monthly, and what happens if I stop paying?"
Look for: Transparent pricing and understanding of long-term costs
Market insight: Monthly maintenance fees in our research ranged from R150-R500. Calculate your 3-year total cost of ownership.
Ask: "Is this built specifically for my business or adapted from a template?"
Look for: Evidence of custom work and business-specific features
Market insight: Many providers use templates or page builders. Ask to see examples of truly custom work they've done.
Based on our market research, here are some practices that may not be in your best interest:
Be cautious of providers who require ongoing monthly payments to keep your site functional. A well-built website shouldn't need constant maintenance to stay online.
Avoid providers who can't give specific performance metrics. Ask for actual load times and mobile speed scores from recent projects.
Be cautious when the pricing model doesn't match your needs. Simple page-counting may not work for complex functionality, while business-outcome pricing might be overkill for basic brochure sites.
Question any arrangement that makes it difficult or expensive to move your website to another provider or host.
Remember: These are general guidelines based on our market research. Every business situation is different, and what works for one may not work for another.
Whether you choose Mezokuru or another developer, we hope this guide helps you ask the right questions and get the website your business deserves.
If you'd like to see how we approach web development differently, we're happy to show you.
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