Website Design Cost? Million Dollar Question

With nearly 2 billion websites already online, the web design cost will vary from spending a little to spending a lot depending on several factors.

It should be noted that there is a big difference between a personal site or blog that you use as a website builder for yourself and one that is designed by a professional for your custom website.

The good news is that the website design cost is under your control depending on the path that you choose.

Having said that, there is no easy answer to define a website design cost for yourself.

So, you will need to do a little research first to find the best method for you, your time, your intent for the site, and your budget.

Web Design Costs Basic Breakdowns

Domain & Hosting Costs

Your website needs a home and address, which is where the domain and hosting costs come into play.

The good news is that such costs are relatively small depending on the host that you choose.

Plus, you can purchase them yourself or have them as part of your web design package.

While domains and hosting costs vary, you can expect to pay from $30 to $90 per month using our managed hosting.

Plus, your domain costs will usually be quite low per month, especially if you purchase for several years.

There are many cheaper hosting options out there but soon enough you will find why your website slows down using the cheapest hosting option.

If you are OK with that.

Software & Components

Every website you see is powered by some type of software system.

From simple PHP or HTML files up to a complete management system, such as WordPress for example.

The components are the auxiliary features of the design, including apps, plugins, and services you might get from third parties.

The direction you choose will play a strong role in the web design cost.

Many software systems come with the hosting company, so they may be free to use.

Otherwise, paying for the software yourself usually comes with a one-time fee that varies depending on the source, but it usually is not more than $50 to $100 if that.

Creation

Building the website is not just about getting all the parts, but really in how they are put together.

There are two basic methods, you can do it yourself using website builders or hire someone to do it for you.

Whichever path you choose will dictate how much you have to spend.

DIY

If you do all the work yourself, then the web design costs will be minimal in terms of how much you pay.

This is because there are content management programs such as WordPress that are relatively easy to use and can create an attractive website.

How To Start A WordPress Business Blog or Website In 11 Easy Steps

Because you are doing the work yourself, the cost you pay for building your site is minimal.

On average, you can expect to pay roughly $100 or less if you do all the work yourself in creating the website from scratch but that is highly unlikely because there is a learning curve that will cost you more in the long run.

This does depend on how much you purchase in terms of setting up, designing, and developing the website.

However, the cost in time can be considerable, even with an intuitive program such as WordPress.

Plus, unless you have considerable knowledge and experience in creating a website, what you make may not be the best for your needs.

Hire a freelancer

Hiring a freelance web designer means that you get a knowledgeable, experienced hand in creating a website for a far lower cost.

Those who have built their reputation over the years can create the right website for your needs.

That means you avoid the issues that may plague sites that are created by individuals like yourself who have little to no experience.

The upside is how much attention you will get for their services.

Web design costs will depend on several different factors, but you can expect to pay on average $1,000 to $5,000 for a good, effective website for your small business.

That is a small amount of out-of-pocket expenses but may be well worth it depending on the focus of your online business.

Hire a Website Design Agency

This is the most expensive way to build and maintain your website, but it also covers services that most freelancers do not offer.

The agency will handle every aspect of creating your website, including domain, hosting, setup, maintenance, and SEO.

It’s like hiring a designer and a marketing team all in one.

However, you can expect to pay quite a bit for this service which is why it’s so expensive.

You can expect to pay from $10,000 and up.

While most entrepreneurs and small business owners may choose another direction, if you are planning on operating a multi-million-dollar company, then this may be your best option.

Maintenance

Just because your website is up and running doesn’t mean that the expenses stop there.

You still have to maintain the site which includes marketing costs, upgrading software systems, improving security, and any repairs needed if the website crashes.

The good news is that much of your maintenance may be maintained by a third-party for a minimal cost every year.

However, this does not include marketing or advertising to ensure that potential customers see your website.