A local SEO checklist for businesses in Kannur
Most local customers find businesses through Google Search and Maps. These are the steps that make the biggest difference for a business in Kannur.
Read articleAsk three developers in Kerala to quote for "a website for my business" and you may get three very different numbers. That does not always mean someone is overcharging. Usually each developer has imagined a different website. Understanding what drives the cost helps you compare quotes fairly and spend where it matters.
1. Size and scope
The number of unique page layouts matters more than the raw page count. Ten service pages that share one layout take far less design time than ten completely different pages. A typical company website has a home page, about page, service pages, a contact page and perhaps news or a gallery.
Before asking for quotes, write a simple list of the pages you need and what each should do. That one step makes quotes much easier to compare.
2. Custom design or template
A ready-made theme is quicker and cheaper but looks like other sites using the same theme, and often carries extra code that slows pages down. A custom design is built around your brand and content, which usually means better performance and a more distinctive result, but it takes more time.
Ask each developer which approach their quote assumes. It is one of the biggest reasons prices differ.
3. Features and integrations
Every feature beyond standard pages adds development and testing time. Common examples include:
- Online payments through a payment gateway
- An online store with products, stock and orders
- Appointment or booking systems
- SMS or OTP notifications
- Member logins, portals or dashboards
- A second language such as Malayalam or Arabic
Integrations with outside systems such as accounting software, ordering platforms or SMS providers also depend on how well those systems document their APIs.
4. Content
Content is the most underestimated part of any website project. Someone has to write clear service descriptions, gather photographs and prepare documents. If your team will supply finished text and images, the project costs less. If the developer writes copy, sources images or arranges a photo shoot, budget for it.
Projects are delayed more often by missing content than by development. Start gathering text and photos early.
5. Running costs after launch
A website is not a one-time purchase. Plan for these ongoing costs:
| Item | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Domain renewal | Your web address, renewed yearly |
| Hosting | The server your website runs on |
| SSL certificate | HTTPS security; often free with good hosting |
| Business email | Mailboxes on your own domain |
| Maintenance | Updates, backups, security and small changes |
Software that is never updated eventually breaks or becomes a security risk. Many older sites we take over need PHP upgrades because they were left untouched for years.
6. How to get an accurate quote
A short written brief gets you better quotes. Include:
- What your business does and who your customers are
- What you want visitors to do: call, enquire, buy or book
- A list of pages and any special features
- Two or three websites you like, and why
- Who will provide the text and photos
- Your timeline and any fixed launch date
With that information, a good developer can give you a clear scope and price, and you can compare like with like. If you would like help putting a brief together, get in touch with our team in Kannur.
