Determining how much a website should cost is one of the most frequently asked but rarely answered questions in the web design world. Even now, with millions of websites online, there exists no magic formula for calculating either the cost of a new website or the cost of a redesign. Questions about website design cost are common online, but very few people are prepared to answer, even when it comes to professional web design prices.
For this article, the IndustrialFX team of professional web designers, developers, and SEO specialists have worked together to examine some of the most important factors that go into a web design quote. These include historical website development costs, as well as web design costs for different components. The data also includes current website features and design costs.
When it comes to determining website cost, it comes down to the fact that you get what you pay for. A cheaper website will have less content and fewer features, while a more expensive site will have lots of additional design features and functionalities. Your overall website costs, like functionalities and interactive elements, completely depend on what you want.
What is the Average Website Cost?
The costs associated with designing, developing, and building a website have changed over time. A website’s value is drastically different now than it was even a couple of years ago. As website creation has become more streamlined in recent years, the cost of a website has gone down, making it a more effective investment than ever for new businesses. The average cost of a website, particularly basic websites, is now lower than ever.
Why Has Website Cost Fluctuated So Much?
Responsive design is now a necessity for web design.
Responsive design means that a website functions on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices. This necessity is one reason for the widening gap between the highest and lowest possible costs for a website. Although responsive design has driven the high end of website pricing up, it is definitely not something that websites can afford to skimp on.
Websites priced at the higher end of the cost scale because of responsive design needs may spend more money, but they are also able to adjust their website design and functionality to provide better visitor experiences on tablets and mobile devices. This ensures that their visitors experience their website smoothly and efficiently, increasing their potential for reoccurring customers.
Websites in the lower price range rarely include responsive website design elements, which is why they are less expensive. However, tablet and mobile visitors do not receive a device-specific web visitor experience, so they’re less likely to return to these websites.
If you can afford professional website design costs for high-end websites, you’re likely to see better results. On the lower end of web design pricing, competitive industry pressure and advancements in web design tools pushed pricing down.
There are substantially more competitors in the web design market today.
Jobs for web developers and computer network architects are expected to grow rapidly, which is faster than the average for all other occupations. Because so many jobs are being created in this market, competition is driving the low end of website pricing down.
If you’re looking for a basic site, your professional website design cost will be more affordable than it has been in prior years. Modern tools have made it easier for web designers to create great-looking websites, contributing to the inexpensiveness of the lower end of website cost.
While free tools can be useful, you are more likely to get a better, more reliable website if you pay to hire a professional web design company. Websites built on free tools often lack a unique identity because free templates usually only allow a certain extent of customization. Websites using those tools may have no brand identity or may have trouble attracting traffic. When it comes to web page cost, cheaper isn’t always better.
How Much Does a Website Cost Per Month?
The monthly costs for a website may fluctuate based on which services you are utilizing from month to month.
However, if you have an Internet marketing package that includes ongoing optimization or other services, you may find that your website development costs are similar each month, including your web design costs, web development costs, and more.
Monthly, you should expect to pay for your website hosting, SEO, other ongoing optimization, any content creation, link building services, and special design projects. This may cost anywhere from $100 to $1000 a month.
How Much Does a Website Cost Per Year?
A website’s yearly costs depend on the number of ongoing services associated with it, as well as any special, one-time-only charges or projects. If your Internet marketing company performs the same tasks month after month with only one or two special tasks or assignments, your yearly costs will range anywhere from $1,500 to $15,000.
Unfortunately, it is difficult to figure out how much your website will cost without knowing what services you need!
Breakdown of Some Common Website Components and Their Costs
The cost of a website can vary dramatically based on the specific components included. A website with basic functionality is going to cost much less, both initially and over time, than a site that acts as an online store or integrates with a company database or piece of software. Some of the components in this website cost breakdown have initial investments, while others are ongoing.
- Domain Name: $5 to $15 per year
- Website Hosting: $75 to $200 a year (depending on traffic and hosting features)
- Content Management Systems (CMS): $0 to $15,000+ per year (depending on the platform chosen)
Informational or Small Business Website: 8 – 16 web pages, custom graphics, stock photos, little or no Flash design, web forms sending to email accounts. Project duration: 30 to 75 days. Cost: $2,000 – $6,000.
Corporate Website: 25 – 75 web pages, heavy use of flash, high-quality design work, content management system, extra components like intranet, calendars, website search. Project duration: 60 to 90 days. Cost: $10,000 – $25,000.
Ecommerce Website: 100 – 1000 products, payment gateway integration, product descriptions and images, sales tax and shipping calculation, customer and administrative control panel. Project duration: 60 to 120 days. Cost: $5,000 – $15,000.
Database Driven Website or Web Application: Dynamic web pages, 20 – 2,000 administrative control panel, advanced programming skill sets, interactivity with website visitor, enterprise database (MS SQL Server or MySQL). Project duration: 90 to 180 days. Cost: $6,000 – $35,000.
Conclusion
The cost of a website can vary greatly depending upon the site’s features, its needed Internet marketing services, aesthetic qualities, and the company that is creating the web design.
While the cost of a basic website has dropped, the need for more interactivity has helped hold steady the price of a high-end, competitive design.
You should expect to pay between $2,250 and $10,000 for a fully functional small business website. This price may be lower if your site has very few pages and minimal functionality, or higher if you require custom development, extensive design, or interactive elements and advanced integration.
Planning for Your New Website
When determining the budget for your website design or redesign project, it is important to take the costs into consideration. As mobile internet usage continues to surge, designing for mobile users is imperative. Investing money in creating a responsive
Web design may allow you to make future conversions and profits that outweigh the initial cost of redesigning your site. Planning ahead and finding the exact cost of your new website design or redesign will keep your project on track. Timelines, features, and custom design factors will all vary greatly based on the price of your website requirements.
If you are considering investing in digital marketing for industrial companies or planning to develop a new or upgraded website, the IndustrialFX team recommends reviewing the portfolios of multiple web design firms and requesting detailed cost estimates to make an informed decision.