If the cost of web development goes up, either websites will be more expensive, or they’ll just have to be less complicated. We’re hoping for the latter.

Then let the costs rise. If that's the price of our freedom, we'll pay it gladly. We don't want some corporation taking over everything just because of they offer a cheap and convenient bargain. Accept that and next thing you know you're but a serf in their digital fiefdom.

Well, one way to read "forced to not cut corners" is "forced to increase cost" :-P