How Much for a Website?

Recently in a group I’m a member of on a different social network (vague!), someone asked the following question: “Can someone please tell me the going rate for designing a website?”

As a long time programmer and web application builder, there is a lot to unpack in that seemingly simple question. The answers on the post ranged from zero dollars to hundreds or even thousands. Let’s break down why and what knowledge should be spread so that small business owners and enterprise consumers can make more informed purchasing decisions.

As this article is geared toward small business owners, I won't be discussing the use of the word "design" in the question which is probably its own article.

How much for a house?

This question is extremely similar to the first. The answer depends on various qualifiers in order to zero in on the price. In fact, two houses right next to each other and nearly identical can have very different costs.

Carrying the house metaphor forward - how large is it? Where will it be located? Do you have one already? How much engagement do you plan to have in the process?

Have a plan before you try to buy a house, a car, or your business website. Do some due diligence and shop around and see what are the cost drivers for a website and what you think you need, want, and can’t live without. Most web development firms can help you with the questions you should be answering before they offer a proposal for development.

“I found this for free”

In today’s digital world, there are many ways that you can have a website, online, today, for free. There are website builders (Wix, GoDaddy, etc) catered toward novice business owners that offer dropdowns, drag and drop, and easy functionality to create your first website.

For many small businesses, this is a terrific option for the first step along their digital journey. You’ll have a website, you’ll see the gaps in content you’d like to provide, you’ll have gathered digital assets to have your logo, pictures, and staff and you’ll have organized and synthesized your thoughts around a final web product.

As you move forward with your business, you will likely run into the limitations of this setup, not the least of which is that this is now your job. Any updates will be made by you, judging the performance of your Search Engine Optimization or responsiveness or mobile layout will be done by you, and this is likely not the business that you are in or want to be in.

Another concern that businesses should be aware of is the ongoing fees for a website and associated services. How much does it cost to host your website? Do you want regular maintenance included? Do you want SEO review and analytics? What analytics do you want for your website conversion funnel? Do you want scheduling or booking integration? Do you want a CMS - Content or Customer Management System? All of these questions should be answered to get a clear picture of your needs.

Conclusion

The answer to the original question: How much for a website? - it varies greatly depending on your goals, requirements, and expectations.

One thing that is for certain, you should own the outcome of the journey by knowing what your business goal is. Do you want to have a website so that people know you exist digitally when they google your business? Do you want essentially a digital business card or brochure?

Sitting down with a professional for a consultation can very much help you clarify what your short and long term goals are and as always, I would recommend Cronac Software.

Here’s hoping your business is a success!