How much does building a website cost? While this is a frequently asked question, there is no straightforward answer. There are two reasons for this:
- Websites differ in terms of design and functionality. It all depends on what you’re after.
- Web design rates vary from agency to agency, and your exact requirements will determine the ultimate price.
Website Costs: Using an Agency
If you choose to make use of an agency’s web design services, here’s what you can expect:
1. Determine What Kind of Website You Need
There are four basic types of business websites, namely:
A. Small, Simple Business Site
Let’s say your business offers just a few services with no intention of selling anything online. All you’ll need is a small, simple business site to function similarly to a business card — visitors to the site can find more information about your business online. This type of business website is ideally suited for small local businesses looking to launch their online presence.
B. Conversion-Driven Business Site
However, if your aim is to attract a steady influx of new customers, your website will need to be polished and set up in such a way as to attract and convert visitors to customers, displaying examples of your work for all to see. Typically, service-focused small businesses do well with this kind of site.
C. Basic eCommerce Site
Selling products and receiving payment on your website will require an eCommerce setup. eCommerce sites are built on various features, such as a product database, shopping cart, payment gateway and the configuration of a shipping matrix.
D. Custom Feature-Rich Site
For larger-scale businesses, a website with custom design and site-specific features is the way to go, as this will make you stand out from the crowd! Depending on your business, these features may include specially-made plugins, enterprise-level database integration, and an innovative web app.
2. Get a Domain Name
A domain name is the address URL you will use for your site on the web. Generally, it will cost you between $10 to $50, excluding the annual subscription renewal.
Following the setup of your site, you should have an SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificate installed. If your website deals with sensitive information — as is typical with eCommerce sites — like usernames, passwords and credit card information, then SSL is a must.
When it comes to buying the SSL certificate, you can choose from three different types:
- Domain SSL for fast issuance
- Organisational SSL for businesses
- Extended SSL
With the domain and organisation SSL, visitors to your website will see the padlock and HTTPS protocol beside your URL.
However, if you want a green address bar with your company name, you’ll need to subscribe to the Extended Validation SSL. This includes renewing the SSL certificate after your subscription expires.
3. Choose a Web Host
Website hosting costs around $55 per month for standard sites but can cost much more if you’re hosting complex web applications.
The perfect price and package will depend on:
- The type of site you want
- How many daily visitors you have
- Your storage requirements
Also, consider your site’s security, performance, support, and maintenance service. Usually, your design agency will help you select the ideal hosting service for your website.
4. Choose a Template or Custom Development
A website built on a simple template with only a few pages will not cost much. However, the more you want to customise your site, the more an agency will charge you.
The cost can range anywhere between $500 and $10,000 or more! An interactive web app or advanced features like database integration will require an even larger budget.
5. SEO and Copywriting
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is a must for any business website that wants to remain competitive. It improves your visibility in search engines to effectively reach your target customers. Here, the cost depends on your business type, service provider, and package offerings.
Since your website content should be SEO-optimised, you’ll want to hire a professional copywriter to write it for you. Regardless of the size or industry of your business, a robust online presence can only benefit you.
SEO is undoubtedly worth looking into as soon as your website is up and running. Note that SEO services are ongoing and can cost you from $300 to $10,000 monthly, often packaged with other website design services.
6. Website Design and Integration
An essential part of the process is achieving an appealing aesthetic and generating a positive user experience. This combines the visual appeal of your website’s interface and its ease of use. The integration of multimedia features is essential but can be costly. Prices may range from $300 to $10,000, depending on the size of your budget and your specific requirements.
7. Maintenance
Any good website will require regular maintenance to keep it relevant and technologically up to date. We recommend allocating a monthly maintenance budget for your website. Regular maintenance can cost you from as little as $50 to as much as $200 per month, depending on the required changes.
8. Rough Estimates of Costs
A simple site for small businesses may cost around $3,000, while a conversion-focused business site can cost up to $6,000. eCommerce sites may cost anywhere between $6,000 and $15,000, and custom feature-rich sites are well above $15,000.
Is a Website Worth the Investment?
Without a doubt, yes! If you’re unsure whether or not you want to spend the money required to build and maintain a website for your business, consider whether or not you want your business to grow and stay relevant. If your business doesn’t have a website, you may as well be invisible. In order to maintain a solid online presence, your business not only needs a website but a good one, too.
Consider your business site a worthy investment, as this will help you generate quality leads, converting users to trusted customers over time. The more effort you put into maintaining your website, the easier it will be for users to navigate your site, leading to increased sales and revenue. Never underestimate the power of a polished website!
Need Help With Your Website?
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