A Frequently Asked Question: What Does a Website Cost?

So, you need a website. Maybe you’ve just launched a new business, or perhaps your current one needs some major TLC.

More people than ever are using the internet to find the products and services they love, which is why your website should be considered as a primary tool to help you grow your business.

Like anything, a strong web presence comes with a price tag. But what is that price tag? $500? $1,000? $50,000? We’re here to break it down for you. Keep in mind, asking how much a website costs is like asking what your grocery bill will be this week. The answer is… it depends.

Free Websites

The internet is littered with free website builders these days, such as Wix or Weebly, etc., and using one of these might seem like the most cost-effective, easier approach. The site looks ‘pretty’ and (mostly) all information you think you want your ideal customer to see is live. The reality is, there are some serious limitations. You can expect to pay for things like your e-mail, storage space, or a long list of extras. Free website builders have limited ability to customize the site, and you can sometimes expect ads to be placed on your site.

Imagine spending hours or days building your ‘dream’ website only for something to go wrong in the end and have no support to fix it? Or having your website look like millions of other businesses out there?

Keep in mind, these free sites can certainly be all you need to be successful.

$2,000 – $3,000

For this price, what you are buying is the services of a jack-of-all trades that does the design, development and implementation using standard website templates.

While these templates offer more customization than the do-it-yourself builders, you are still getting a template. The programmer just has to add in the logo, some photos and text, select some options, upload it to your hosting, and you have your website.

Depending on what you want to accomplish, this may be a good choice for you. Often, these templates will have limitations that can show up over time as you try to expand and/or change your site. Most templates are built so that they are somewhat flexible and have some built-in customization. However, there is added costs to this, and it is not unusual for templated websites to be much slower than custom sites.

$7,000 – $12,000

Within this price range, you are getting a truly custom website that is created specifically for your needs. A basic website without too many custom features will be in the $7,000 range, while adding a few more interactive features will move towards the $12,000 range.

What can you expect?

• Professional Design: This will make a huge difference in the look and feel of your site.
• Professional Programmers: Programmers can optimize the technical aspects of your site, and make sure it works smoothly and without errors.

This level may be too much for you, particularly for businesses just starting out. This is the point where a website moves from the work of a talented amateur to a truly professional product.

Note: This type of website should account for some future growth and changes.

$12,000 +

You can certainly expect a truly professional website at this level, and you will be working with a team of specialists. These websites are very specialized and have plenty of features and interaction.

So, how do you choose?

We know it can seem overwhelming to decide what’s best for your business. Ask yourself what you want to accomplish with your site. If you have a local ice cream shop that’s open two months of the year, you would likely be happy with something that posts your hours online and with that, a free website may suit your needs.

If you’re hoping to build the next online bicycle parts empire, you will certainly need more than a basic website.

Knowing what you are getting for your money can help you make a more informed decision.

We’d love to help you decide what might be best for you and your growing business. Contact us anytime!