If you’re looking for an enhanced digital presence beyond Facebook, it’s time to think about building a website. But how much does it cost to build a website? Like most things digital, the answer is – “it depends”. But don’t despair – our website cost guide will help you make the right choice to suit your needs.
Contents:
- What are the benefits of having a website for your business?
- Who’s building your website?
- What type of website do you need?
- Costs of websites
- Additional website running costs
What are the benefits of having a website for your business?
A business website offers myriad benefits, including:
- A simple contact form/lead generation system
- An environmentally friendly, cost-effective product portfolio
- Bigger markets – more than 75% of us shop online
- Credibility thanks to reviews, blogs and an enhanced brand.
Of course, you need to consider your website design cost as well as these benefits. Before you make your decision, you should consider the following.
Who’s building your website?
Got a mate who will knock you something together for free? That’s great, but it’s unlikely to have the functionality you need, nor will it be customisable enough to ‘create a buzz’ and scale long-term. Broadly speaking, you have four options.
Do it yourself!
If you feel like learning something new, and more importantly, if you have time, you can do it yourself. There are countless platforms which are free or have a very low web design cost. You can try a simple, open-source system like WordPress (for which you may have to pay annually). If you’re selling, you can try monthly payments with sites like Shopify.
Pros: Cheap with a user-friendly content management system.
Cons: Lack of customisability and support.
Freelancers
Again, this is a cost-effective alternative with the added bonus of expertise. You can find freelancers on sites like People Per Hour or Upwork.
Pros: Cheaper, more flexible hours and more expertise.
Cons: The freelancer has total control, which can be tricky for support/deadlines.
Local web design company
These are ideal for SMEs – they have experience dealing with clients, can provide support, and offer very reasonable website costs.
Pros: Trustworthy account managers and developers, contracts and cost-effectiveness.
Cons: Not ideal for larger companies.
Large agency
These are a reliable option if you’re a larger brand that needs multiple account managers, sells a large volume of products, or has niche functionality.
Pros: Very reliable account managers and helpdesks, plus bespoke website functions.
Cons: Expensive – more suitable for national or global brands.
How much does a website cost based on your needs?
You may find it more cost-effective to pay a one-off fee, or a very small monthly fee. This all depends on how you choose to build the site. For example:
Custom pay-monthly platforms
These may be an agency’s own CMS, and usually come with a low monthly fee.
Pros: Very cheap with support and easy usability.
Cons: You don’t own the site – only images and text. You’ll also pay this fee forever, which may be more expensive long-term.
Themed sites
Quick and easy, themes come as a one-off fee (excluding hosting) on sites like WordPress, Shopify and Prestashop.
Pros: Easy to use and cheap with a professional design.
Cons: Your site may look like everybody else’s!
Bespoke designed sites
Usually built on an open-source platform like WordPress, these have their own bespoke theme to match your desired look and feel.
Pros: Easy CMS, option to move suppliers and infinite customisations e.g. for marketing, booking and subscriptions.
Cons: More expensive and may lack the support if you switch suppliers. They may be limited for large, complex sites that require a lot of customisation.
Totally bespoke build
These are built from the ground up and are ideal for those with very specific needs, such as a niche online portal.
Pros: Customisable functionality e.g. user login system unique to you.
Cons: Most expensive, and you’re likely to be tied to a single supplier or platform.
What type of site do you want to build?
The final consideration is your website’s function and purpose. The following web design prices reflect the functionality required:
| Type/Platform | Information/Small Business: 5-15 pages | Medium/Large Corporates: 15-75 pages | E-Commerce Websites |
| Pay monthly | From £20/month | From £40/month | From £40-50/month |
| Themed site | ~£300+ | £800+ | £5/600+ |
| Bespoke design | From £787 | From £2,000 | From £1,342 |
| Totally bespoke build | Several thousand | Tens of thousands | Tens of thousands |
Don’t forget these other website costs!
While the above covers the build, you’ll also need to consider:
- The domain – usually an annual fee
- Hosting (server space to store your site and emails) – usually an annual fee
- Maintenance, tech support and updates (subject to your provider’s agreement)
- Software licences.
Not sure where to start?
Don’t panic – we’ll talk you through the most cost-effective options for your needs. Contact WebHummel today.
