In this day and age, a website is a non-negotiable asset for businesses. However, the question of how much a website costs is not always a one-size-fits-all answer. The price can vary significantly based on factors such as complexity, features, design, and functionality. However, in this post, we'll unravel the layers of website development costs, helping you navigate the path to building a web presence that suits your needs and budget.
(If you'd like to skip to the end of this post you can see some real life examples of website costs).
Domain and Hosting Costs:
Before delving into the design and development, every website requires a domain name (your website's address) and hosting (where your website's files are stored). Domain prices vary, with common extensions like .com typically costing between £10 to £20 per year. Hosting costs can range from a few pounds per month for basic shared hosting to hundreds for dedicated hosting with more resources.
Website Design:
Website design is a crucial element that affects both the aesthetics and functionality of your site. Costs can vary massively depending on the amount of the design that you would like to be customised. Designs that are crafted to align perfectly with your brand can cost anywhere from £700 to several thousand pounds.
Extra Development Costs:
The complexity of your website plays a significant role in determining development costs. Basic websites with static pages can be covered in the design costs above, while websites with features like e-commerce, databases, and user interactivity can range from £3,000 to way up in the tens of thousands.
E-commerce Functionality:
If you plan to sell products or services online, e-commerce functionality will be a key component. Costs for integrating e-commerce features depend on the complexity of the platform, payment gateways, and security measures. It also depends on whether you will be able to upload and update your product offerings yourself or will be needing your designer to do this for you. Basic setups may cost an extra few hundred pounds, while more robust solutions can reach the thousands.
Maintenance and Updates:
Websites require ongoing maintenance, including software updates, security patches, and content additions. Consider these ongoing costs, which can range from a few hundred to a few thousand pounds per year, depending on the complexity of your site.
EXAMPLE PRICES
As explained above costs are as diverse depending on a whole load of factors but to try and help simplify, below we will break down a few examples:
EXAMPLE 1 : Beautifully designed website for a Photography business. Pages include : Homepage, About Me, Portfolio, Services and Contact page. It's a simple but beautifully designed website with 30 images in the portfolio and the user is able to update the portfolio as they go. COST : £850
EXAMPLE 2 : Beautifully designed E-commerce store that sells a mixture of physical products and digital products. Pages include : Homepage, About, Collection Page for physical products, separate Collection Page for digital products, 20 individual product pages, a blog, a Shipping & Returns page, FAQ's page, and a Contact page. The initial uploads are included in the cost. COST : £3000
Understanding the factors influencing pricing is essential for making informed decisions. Whether you're a small business owner or an individual looking to establish an online presence, carefully weighing your needs against your budget will help you create a website that not only fits your requirements but also provides a solid foundation for your business. Remember, investing wisely in your website is an investment in the growth and success of your online presence.