If you’re just starting out, setting up a free website using a click-and-drag builder may be tempting. On the other hand, if you’re running an established business, an e-commerce site, or if you’re getting a steady increase in website traffic, you may be wondering if you need to be doing more with your website (and how much that will cost you).
If you want to fork out some cash for a site without breaking the bank, you can find a freelancer or small company that can do what you need for somewhere between two and four thousand dollars. But that will only get you so far.
As your business grows, your website will need to grow with it. Regular security and maintenance checks must be performed. Content must be refreshed or kept current. Keywords must be monitored and tweaked as algorithms change. It’s a lot to keep up with, and each part will require a different cost.
Every website has unique goals and priorities that ultimately determine the overall cost of creating and maintaining the site. But there are a few standard expenses that apply across the board.
Read More: 10 Questions to Help You Hire a Dedicated WordPress Developer
Searching the internet for average website costs is probably not going to be that helpful to your individual situation because websites are as unique as the companies they represent. Sure, you can get a rough estimate based on your company size, service areas, and product line, but the best way to understand how much a website is going to cost YOU is to create a request for proposal (RFP).
Website RFPs are guaranteed to give you a fair idea of what it is going to cost you to build or redesign a website. This process can be a bit involved, but at the end of the day, you’ll have a nice variety of vendors to consider for your project. If you’re new to this process, be sure to check out our RFP guide to help you get started.
High-quality, professional websites are complex and expensive to create. There are some low-cost website builders on the market, like Wix and Squarespace, that make the process easier and more accessible for those who don’t have a lot of money or skills. But ultimately, small business owners will want to trust an expert with the creation, care, and upkeep of the company website.
Figuring out how much you need to spend on your annual website budget is difficult to do. It really depends on what you need. Typically website costs include things like domain name registration, hosting, design, and development; maintenance; search engine optimization (SEO); security certificates, and plugins. You get the picture. There is a lot to keep up with, which is why we urge people to avoid going it alone.
A quick Google search on how much does a website cost reveals basically nothing helpful. You could do it for free. You could spend hundreds of thousands of dollars. Which will it be? The best way to find out is to speak with a professional.
We know we have hit you with a ton of information, the best next step is to give us a call. Let’s talk about your needs, and we will answer all of your questions. The bottom line is this: don’t try to navigate all of this alone.
A good web designer will put you in touch with the right people to get the right price for domain name registration, hosting, etc. You’ll also save money down the line with a professional website because they will be able to help you design an SEO-friendly site that is easy to maintain for years without breaking your budget.
The best way to get the most out of any website investment is to find a team you trust to guide you through the process. We would love to serve you in this way. Please get in touch with us today!