Breaking down your website development costs
“How much should your website cost?” is one of the most commonly asked questions in the website design industry, but it isn’t as simple to answer as it may seem because:
- Websites cost vary a great deal as the style of design and functionality varies. It is good to know what type of site you are interested in because these factors will affect the price.
- Whether you’re looking for an agency in Australia or overseas, the rates can vary greatly.
To determine the cost of your website will depend on a variety of specifications such as features, number of pages and degree of difficulty. Regardless, it is an intimidating process for someone unfamiliar with web design.
Price is often the most important factor when people look for a web design business to create their website. They want it to be affordable, without realising that cheaper websites also have their drawbacks.
This simple guide will provide you with a ballpark estimate of how much your website design project would cost if you hire an agency.
Determining the type of website you need
Simply stated, we can classify a business website into four types:
(a) Simple, small business website:
If you just have a few services or products and do not plan on offering them online, a simple website will probably suffice. The site will work as your card to potential customers.
(b) Conversion-focused business site:
If you are planning on using the website to attract a steady flow of new business, you’ll need a more professional-looking site with engaging content in order to show off previous work and display the type of service you provide. These sites are good for service-focused small businesses.
(c) Basic eCommerce site:
Pricing for an eCommerce website varies from service to service, depending on the features you need in order to sell your products or services.
(d) Custom feature-rich site:
If you’re a large-scale business, your site may need specialised features that help set it apart from others. This could include custom design and plugins or an innovative Web app.
As you can see the cost of a website varies greatly from one company to the next depending on how well you can identify your needs.
Important Tip: One often forgotten feature from many agencies is the early determination of any features that will require plugins or add-ons. These might include logical plugins eg parcel tracking, CRM automation, SPAM protection, SEO promotion etc. So make sure you try and map out which ones you will need as early as possible ad have them included in the original quote to avoid any extra costs at the end.
Getting a domain name
The first thing you need for a website is a domain name. A domain name is the address of your site on the web and typically costs between $10-$50 and must be renewed every year.
You should purchase and install an SSL certificate with your domain name. If you are an eCommerce site, an SSL is essential.
When purchasing an SSL certificate, there are 3 options. These are – Domain SSL for fast issuance, Organisational SSL for businesses, and Extended SSL. For the domain and organisation SSL, your website visitors will see the padlock and https protocol beside your URL.
However, if you want your company name to appear in the green address bar on a browser, then you need to subscribe for Extended Validation SSL. In addition, you need to renew the SSL certificate after your subscription expires. Request help from an agency if all of this sounds complicated.
Choosing a web host
The cost of website hosting can be anywhere from $55-$1000 per month depending on what you need your site to do.
The cost of your website will depend on the type of site you want, the number of daily visitors to your site, and a variety of other factors. Key factors to consider are security, performance, and maintenance.
Your website design agency will help you select the best hosting service for your site.
Choosing a template or customisation
If you’re unfamiliar with the process, you might want to leave this chore to your web developer.
Web-based tools for your business can cost a lot less depending on what package you select. A website based on a simple template with a few pages is going to be cheaper than designing and maintaining an elaborate site, for starters.
The cost of a website depends heavily on the level of customisation. Basic textual websites can be done at a lower cost, while more complex sites involving interactive features or database integration are likely to require an even higher budget. This can vary from $500 to $10,000
When designing a website, user requirements and technical limitations are just as (if not more) important than where the site will be hosted. It all comes down to your specific requirements as to which is the most appropriate. A web development agency should find the best balance between your requirements and budget while considering current trends and features.
Copywriting and SEO
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) has shifted from an option to a business necessity. With Search Engine Optimisation, your website is more visible and more likely to be found for potential customers.
The cost really depends on what type of business you have, the provider you’re working with, and the package you’re on.
Creating a website requires copywriting, an SEO-optimised page, and more depending on the needs of your particular business. Professional writers are not necessary but will vastly increase your SEO.
Building a successful online presence is going to take time, which makes it important for you to begin building your SEO as soon as possible. SEO services are ongoing in nature and can cost you from 0 to ,000 monthly, often being packaged with other marketing and website design services. To learn more about SEO, check out our blog about SEO: What is it and what effects it!
Design and Multimedia integration
One important aspect of the project is developing appealing aesthetics and a positive user experience. Visual language and usability are two aspects of site design.
There are many ways to present information on your website, including static images, videos, and interactive elements. The cost of a website varies entirely on how you want your site to look. Here, your agency will help you to come up with effective ideas that align with your business goals. The cost ranges from $300 to $10,000+.
Website maintenance
Once your agency is done developing your website and hands it to you, the process might seem over. But don’t relax just yet; modern sites require continual maintenance to stay relevant and technologically up to date.
You will need to allocate a monthly budget for your website unless it is simple or you have a degree of technical know-how. Regular maintenance will cost you from as little as $50 to as much as $200 per month, depending on what changes are required.
Final web design cost
After reading this blog post, you now know the factors that help to determine how much your website might cost. Here is a rough estimate of the total projected budget based on different types of websites:
- A simple site for small business: Around $3,000
- Conversion-focused business site: $3,000 to $6,000
- Ecommerce site: $6000 to $15,000
- Custom feature-rich site: Above $15,000
Ongoing Maintenance Costs
- Web Hosting: $55 – $10,000 / Month
- SEO Management: $300 – $10,000 / Month
- Website Maintenance: $50 – $200 / month
Hopefully this article clarifies everything, however if you have any further questions about web development, or wish to know more about our web or graphic design services and SEO management services for local businesses; please visit us at www.geraldandrose.com.
Gerald and Rose is a digital marketing and website development agency based in Surry Hills, Sydney. G&R as we call ourselves was formed when the founders continued to have bad experiences with other providers.
Marketing, Social Media and Websites need to be simple, well priced and reliable. Business owners hate surprises, we know, we run small businesses. We can assist you with the right social media channels for your business, so drop us an email at sales@geraldandrose.com