Why we charge monthly for websites

"I'm sick of subscriptions. Just give me the software."

We understand. When every business tool comes with another monthly bill, it is fair to ask what you are getting for your money.

At Waterfall Way Designs, our monthly website plans cover the initial build, domain registration, hosting and ongoing support, with a new website every three years. There is no upfront development fee and no lock-in contract.

We chose this approach because we saw what happened when websites were built, paid for and then left alone.

We used to build a website and hand it over

The website would go live looking fresh, with the right information and everything working. But as time passed, the business changed and the website often did not.

• Products were listed that the business no longer sold.
• New services were missing.
• Staff who had moved on were still on the team page.
• Contact details and opening hours became outdated.
• Contact forms stopped working.

Busy owners had customers to serve and businesses to run. Updating the website slipped down the list.

For someone visiting that website, though, outdated information could raise doubts. Is this business still operating? Do they still offer what I need? Will anyone answer my enquiry?

Your website should help people feel confident about contacting you.

Technology changes, even when your website doesn’t

Even if your business details stay the same, the technology around your website keeps changing.

We saw hosting servers being updated while the websites running on them got older. Code that worked when a website launched could need changes to keep working with newer server software.

Software also has a support life. For example, PHP, which runs many websites, has a defined support cycle. Older versions eventually stop receiving security fixes.

Keeping a website technically sound means allowing for maintenance, compatibility changes and security updates. Simply leaving an old website online does not mean it is being looked after.

There are ongoing website costs either way

Paying upfront for a website does not remove its running costs.

• Domain registration: renewing your website address.
• Website hosting: paying for the service that keeps your website online.
• Maintenance and support: keeping things working and having someone to turn to when help is needed.
• Content and design updates: keeping the website useful as your business and customers' needs change.

Domain registration and hosting commonly come with annual renewal bills. Maintenance and changes also need someone's time, whether that is yours, an employee's or your website provider's.

Why we rolled it into one monthly payment

Instead of charging a large development fee and then separate domain, hosting and support bills, we brought the build and ongoing services together in a monthly plan.

That means you can get your website working for your business without finding a large amount of money upfront. You spread the cost over time, while the website has the opportunity to bring in enquiries and support your customers.

We value the ongoing relationship

We want to get to know your business, understand what you are trying to achieve and help you as things change. That ongoing relationship is a big part of why we work this way.

We do not want to simply take your money, hand over a website and leave you to work everything out. You have someone to call, ask questions and discuss ideas with long after launch day.

The monthly model also keeps us accountable. We need to keep providing a service you value, with a shared interest in helping your website bring in enquiries and support your business.

There is no lock-in contract. We want you to stay because the service is useful to your business.

What happens if you cancel?

You can cancel or downgrade your package at any time.

You own your domain, email, social media accounts, newsletter accounts and all the content we create for you.

The website itself is provided as part of our service. If you stop the service, the website and any software we have written for you stop too. The monthly payments are for an ongoing service, rather than instalments towards owning the website.

We explain this in our website service FAQs so you can choose what suits your business.

A new website every three years

Our website plans include a new website every three years while you remain on the plan.

This gives us the chance to review the design, update the technology and make sure the website still reflects your business. Your services may have grown, your photos may need refreshing or your customers may need different information.

You do not have to wait until the website looks tired and then find the money for another full build. Renewal is already part of the plan.

Keeping your website useful for people, Google and AI

Your website helps customers understand what you do, where you work and how to contact you. Clear, accurate information also helps search engines understand your business.

Google says the same SEO fundamentals apply to its AI search features: helpful content and a technically accessible website still matter. There is no special shortcut that guarantees inclusion.

For a regional business, useful content might explain the services you offer, the towns you cover and the questions customers ask before booking or buying.

Keeping that information current is more useful than changing words just to make a page look recently updated. If you now offer a service that is missing from your website, both customers and search tools are missing part of the picture.

Choose how much help you need

Some owners are happy to update their own content. Others would rather hand that work over.

• DIY Website - $152/mth (inc GST): we build your website and provide domain registration, hosting, phone and email support, and a new website every three years. You manage the day-to-day content.
• Full Support - $425/mth (inc GST): our managed website, social media and online marketing package also includes content updates, regular Facebook and Instagram posts, quarterly newsletters and content creation.

You can compare our website packages and inclusions here.

Want a website with ongoing support?

Waterfall Way Designs is based in Inverell, helping businesses across Glen Innes, Armidale, Moree, Narrabri and the wider New England North West.

If your website has fallen behind, or you want to get online without a large upfront bill, let's talk about what your business needs.

Contact David to talk about your website.