by I got an email last week–from someone I don’t know at a company I never heard of–telling me that they had designed a new website for me. Lucky me!
They never talked to me, had no understanding of my business or clients, and didn’t even do a great job of introducing themselves.
I passed on the offer. Delete!
So, if you’re wondering about the cost to design a website, the bottom rung of the ladder is…free. Free like the coffee at your mechanic’s garage while you’re waiting for an oil change.
You’re not looking for a free website; you’re willing to pay but you don’t want to overpay. And, you understand, ‘You get what you pay for.’ Let’s talk about the real numbers and factors to consider when you evaluate the cost of a website.
A few things that need to be said
The cost of web design is a mystery to most people. And, that’s not your fault. Prices and quality levels are all over the place. Developers fail to quote their services consistently and accurately.
Plus, custom website design cost isn’t something you think about every day. Nor should you. A great website should bring you years of business with the right updates and proper maintenance.
What is the price to have a website designed? The short answer is…it depends.
Website design cost varies significantly depending on the type of business, how you want visitors to interact with your site, and how much in-house development and maintenance your company can handle.
Budgeting accurately for website design and development starts with being aware of current market prices for the labor to build the site and for various necessities and features. I’ll help you do that with this article.
Contact our friendly office to discuss your website design and development project. We’ll provide a detailed estimate based on your needs and specifications.
Office: (844) 972-6224 Contact Us
Website Design vs. Website Development
First, don’t make this mistake.
Most clients ask, “What is the price to have a website designed?” and mean the price of end-to-end website creation, from the initial concept to launch. In this article, I’ll use the term “website design” to mean the whole shebang–soup to nuts as they used to say.
But, when you’re looking for website design cost quotes, know the distinction between design and development so you don’t get caught asking for more or less than you really need.
Website design refers to the visual plan for your website, including its appearance, navigation and the user experience. Design comprises elements like your brand logos and colors, how your products or services are presented, and specific features your site visitors will see or engage with.
Web development is the process of executing the design. Development entails building out the website’s structure to bring those design elements to life in the real world. It often involves programming and all the “behind the scenes” work that makes a website functional.
Emily Journey & Associates will help you determine the scope of work necessary to achieve your website goals. We offer a comprehensive range of web design and development options and our in-house website experts are here to turn your vision into reality.
Office: (844) 972-6224 Contact Us
Current Market Rates for Website Essentials
The total cost to design a website includes pricing for essential components. If you’re building your website from the ground up, you’ll need to factor in the prices for your domain, website hosting, and the design of your site. A further consideration–a crucial one that many people forget–is the cost of regular maintenance.
Forbes magazine recently published an overview of costs for the various elements of website design and development. I’ve recreated the chart they included in their article because it does a great job of listing all the expenses you’ll need to consider. You can use it as a rudimentary website design cost calculator to get an idea of what to expect.
| Domain Name | $0 to $20 per year |
| Web Hosting | $30 to $500 per year |
| Theme or Template | $0 to $100 (one-time fee) |
| Professional Web Design | $100 to $5,000-plus |
| DIY Website Builder | $100 to $400 per year |
| SSL Certificate | $0 to $249 per year |
So, What is the General Cost of a Website?
I promised transparency and real website design costs, so let’s get to it.
Small to medium sized business website (Basic website)
If you run a small business, precision is crucial. Your website must attract specifically those people seeking your service niche and be effective at converting those visitors into customers. User-friendliness, easy-to-find information and engagement-promoting features are essential.
How much does it cost to create a website for a small business? Expect website design costs to start at $10,000 and increase as functionality such as forms or calculators are added.
Functionality, not the number of pages, is what drives the cost of basic websites. If you get a per page quote from an agency or freelancer, you’re dealing with an amateur (or someone looking to overcharge you). Run!
Remember that even small websites need regular updates and maintenance to keep the site secure, accurate and running smoothly. If you’re looking to outsource website management, be prepared to budget about $3,600 annually to have maintenance done on a monthly basis.
E-commerce website
No surprise, the cost to design a website for an e-commerce business will be always be higher than a basic website. Even if your business offers just one product, specific functionalies need to be in place–think payment processing and shipping.
Adding e-commerce functionality to a website will cost a minimum of $5,000 (in addition to design and development of a basic website). Things that increase the cost include:
- A more complex product catalog
- Multiple shipping options
- Gift card functionality
- Different payment processors (such as Klarna installment service)
- Customer portals or profiles
Plus, since online retailers collect customer credit card information or other payment details, e-commerce sites also need robust security to safeguard against malicious attacks.
Just as building the site, e-commerce website maintenance is more complex and time-consuming that managing a basic site. Be prepared to budget a minimum of $599 a month to have your e-commerce website managed by a professional. Here’s a helpful article about e-commerce web maintenance if you’re considering it for your site.
Of course, many websites will fall outside of these categories–nonprofits, blogs, and real estate to name just a few. Let us take the guesswork out of your upcoming website project with a detailed estimate that reflects the unique needs and goals of your business.
Office: (844) 972-6224 Contact Us
What if the Cost of Website Design is Just Too Much?
If you’re short on funds but have helping hands, you’ll save precious dollars by handling some aspects of building and maintaining your website in-house.
In the ongoing spirit of transparency, I’ll say this: the DIY approach to web development and maintenance can be difficult. But it’s a cost-effective solution when you have the resources and skills to get it right.
Emily Journey & Associates helps small businesses take control of their websites with in-depth, personalized WordPress training. With the proper training, it’s possible to build and maintain your website in-house, saving you thousands of dollars up front and over the years.
Don’t just ask “What will my website cost?”
Not all website designers and developers provide the same value for your investment.
When you work with Emily Journey & Associates to build your website, you have a partner who will:
- Assign a dedicated, in-house website expert to your project.
- Incorporate the most current SEO best practices.
- Ensure your site is mobile-responsive and user-friendly on all types of devices.
- Use the most trusted and up-to-date safety and security measures.
- Include social media integration tools, so your site visitors can share pages through their social media channels.
Many website design estimates don’t include these critical value-adds. You have to know what to ask. A lower quote may be appealing at first blush, but leave you on the hook with your web developer for every minor update to your content or features.
A strategically designed website that is maintained properly will drive a significant increase in sales as well as long-term cost savings.
The design and development team at Emily Journey & Associates will create your new site with today’s and tomorrow’s business goals in mind. Contact us today to get started!
Office: (844) 972-6224 Contact Us
Custom-Built Website or Simple Upgrade? You Have Options.
Concerned that custom website design cost is beyond your budget’s capacity? You still have plenty of choices.
When people ask me if they need a website redesign, they are often surprised to hear me say, “Probably not” and “Here are some things to consider instead.”
Not every business needs a brand new website. That’s why Emily Journey & Associates offers a range of flexible web development service options:
- Custom website design and website development
- WordPress website development
- E-Commerce web development
- PSD to WordPress development
- WordPress theme conversion
- Custom-coded website to WordPress conversion
- Smaller web development projects
Contact our friendly office at (844) 972-6224 today to talk about your options. We’ll explore the pros and cons of customization and come up with a solution that’s right for your business–and your budget.
No Surprises, Just High-Value Website Design and Development
The cost to design a website for your company should never be a gamble. Some web developers promise more than they can deliver, leaving you with postponed deadlines and unexpected cost overages.
At Emily Journey & Associates, we offer quality end-to-end web design and development services with no nasty surprises. How do we provide realistic pricing and accurate timelines? It starts with listening to you.
Let’s talk about the goals you have for your website.
