There are a number of factors that determine how much a new website will cost to have created. The cost of a website project is largeley determined by the design (the front end) and programming (the back end). But other issues need to be considered as well including the complexity, functionality, and size. The tool shown below will help you to budget for your business website.
*This is a ballpark estimate only. Each client, their business needs, and website is unique and must be considered carefully in order to provide an exact website development cost quote.
How We Make Websites
Your site will be created such that it fits screen sizes automatically and looks great on mobile phones and tablets. All site content will be included (text, images, etc). Information specific to your business will need to be provided (address, phone number, email, staff and product images, etc). SEO best practices will be included in the website design. This will get your site off to a great site for ranking in Google for the keywords you’re targeting.
Small Business Website Cost
Owning a small business is a challenging and rewarding endeavor. There is so much to be done and so many decisions to make from design to production to marketing. Business owners must divide their time between seemingly endless tasks of equal importance.
One area that can make a big difference in helping you manage your business is a well-designed website. Your website can be one of your hardest working business partners. It’s available to customers 24/7 and can assist with customer service, sales, and marketing.
A great website is comprehensive, easy to navigate and easy to find. It needs to look professional and work to promote your brand and generate new business. In many cases, hiring a web developer may be the best way to get your site up and running. But when you’re working with a limited budget, the costs associated with having a business website made can seem prohibitive.
We’re breaking down all the costs and considerations of getting your new website built so you can get an idea of what you’ll get at what price and budget accordingly.
Location Matters
When looking for someone to build your website, keep in mind that location matters. Prices vary depending on where your web developer is located. If you’re on a tight budget, consider hiring a web developer overseas. Hourly rates tend to be much cheaper. And the quality won’t necessarily be lower. But…it might be. You never really know for sure until you hire them, usually on a platform like fiverr. Some foreign developers in India or elsewhere do a fine job, and others definitely don’t. Whether it’s the language barrier, technical ability, or something else, often times you’re just plain disappointed when you see the final product.
Conversely, when you hire an American developer, you’re more likely to get a finished website that meets or exceeds your expectations. But of course the cost will be higher.
I would say if you need a very standard website for a small service business, hiring an overseas developer on fiver will be fine. It’s a great way to save some much needed funds. But if you have a larger business and/or need a specialized or unique website, go with an American developer.
Website Functionality Considerations
Arguably the biggest cost associated with building a new website comes with managing website functionality. Aside from simply being a landing page where potential customers and clients can get information, what do you need your website to do?
Most website users form an opinion about your site in only 50 milliseconds. This means you have less than one second to keep them on your page instead of clicking out. A developer understands this and will ensure superior design and functionality to keep users engaged.
If you need to sell products or downloads from your site (ecommerce), this increases the amount of work needed to be done and increases the cost. A web developer will need to create product pages, shopping carts, and secure payment capability. Similarly, if you need messaging and chat bot features, this will increase your website complexity and cost.
Online shoppers remember bad buying experiences with the overwhelming majority (88%) being less likely to return to a website after a bad experience. The cost of hiring a high quality web developer will likely pay off in the long run.
Website Speed and Responsiveness
It’s not just clunky check out processes that can sour users’ experiences. Waiting for pages to load can be a real turn off for many website users. In fact, according to Infostride, “slow-loading websites cost retailers nearly $2.6 billion in lost sales annually.” Losing sales simply because of a slow website is a highly avoidable mistake – and very good reason to go with a professional.
If you’re site will rely heavily on photos, videos, or animation, the cost of building it will be higher. Professionals know how to increase speeds without sacrificing design or function. Especially as your business grows and website traffic increases, having a professionally designed website will help.
Ongoing Website Costs
Once you get your site up and running, don’t forget the ongoing costs of site maintenance. These include:
- Domain name registration – typically about $15 per year
- Website hosting – typically about $35 per month (yes cheaper hosting is available, but avoid it at all costs. Here’s why.)
- SEO – you’ll need to do at least a little bit of SEO work on a regular basis. This is for the simple reason that if you don’t, no one will see your site. It won’t rank in Google for any keywords and you’ll have no site traffic. Best SEO practices are constantly evolving. Staying on top of the latest changes and updates is something you must stay on top of – or hire someone else to do.
The Bottom Line – How Much Will Your Site Cost to Make?
Website costs vary greatly. A really simple brochure site for a small business can cost under $1000. And a complicated ecommerce site can be many tens of thousands. It all depends on the complexity of your site, the design, and the cost of the developer doing the work.
Think about what you need your website to do and the constraints of your budget. Take the time to meet with candidates before hiring so you are clear in what they offer, and they are clear what you need. Look through candidates’ previous client list and/or portfolio to see if they’ve worked with businesses like yours and understand issues or problems you might not have thought of.
Finally, don’t underestimate the power of simply being a good fit. Does the candidate understand what you want? Do you communicate well with one another? Does their work schedule work well with yours? Are they able to meet your deadlines? Also discuss what the procedure is if you are unhappy with their work. Will they revise at and what price?
Online Website Builder Apps
If you don’t mind doing a bit of work yourself, you can save a lot of money by making your own website. Thanks to online website builder apps like Weebly and visual design tools available at hosting companies like Godaddy, it’s actually quite easy to make your own website. If you’re a small business with very basic needs like simply posting contact information and a few sections of text, a professional web developer may be more than you need. Or even if you need an online store, Shopify makes the process of getting one simple.
But if you are selling merchandise, featuring lengthy content (with text, video or photography) or need heavy customizations, the knowledge and experience of a web developer will be invaluable.