Each church will have to answer these questions for itself, but there is a case to be made for prioritizing digital outreach and discipleship. But how much? And what are the exact costs involved?
Below, we list every church website budget consideration and guidance on how much you can expect to pay for various services. But first, did you know that this post is one in a series of posts we’ve written on church websites? If you’re just joining us, be sure to check out our previous posts for more helpful resources and information.
This is a complicated question with no straightforward answer. The honest answer is that it depends on several factors we’ve covered thoroughly in our previous posts. The big questions you need to answer first are:
When setting your church website budget, here are the basics costs you will need to include:
Read More: 10 WordPress Pros and Cons To Help You Choose the Best Website Builder
When talking about website builders, make sure you understand the difference between website designers and website developers. People unfamiliar with the specifics may assume that these are one and the same, but that is not always the case.
You may have a graphic designer who lays out the look and feel of your site and a developer with the coding chops to bring that design to life. Most website design agencies offer both services, but if you’re looking into volunteer or freelance options, you may not find one person who does both well, so you need to plan for and budget for both services separately.
When it comes to website design and development packages that you typically find with an agency, some general guidelines can help you estimate the cost of your website design project.
Of course, these are just averages, and your particular project may cost less or more depending on its unique requirements. But knowing the general range of costs can help you budget for your project and ensure you get the best possible value for your money.
The averages above are specifically for website design and development. Agencies will often roll in other services such as logo design, branding, content creation, search engine optimization, or marketing strategy into the project, which drives costs up significantly. Additionally, some agencies bill by the project while others bill by the hour, so keep that in mind as you’re gathering quotes.
Read More: Everything You Need to Know Before Hiring a WordPress Designer or Developer
Most website budgets only account for the cost of design and development. However, there are a number of ongoing costs that are often overlooked.
As you can see, a number of factors can impact the cost of owning a website. By taking all of these factors into account, you can develop a realistic budget for your website.
Asking the internet “How much does a website cost?” is almost the same as asking “How much do shoes cost?” Your answers will vary wildly depending on style, quality, brand, and so forth. The best way to really get the help you need with website budgets is to talk with a website design and development agency.
Our team has decades of experience designing and developing websites for churches, nonprofits, and small businesses around the world. We would be happy to answer any questions you have and help you find the best solution to meet your needs.
Please contact us today to set up a free website consultation and discover how to make the most of your website investment!