How Much Does it Cost to Make a Website?

We live in an era dominated by inter-connected things, artificial intelligence, and mobile apps. Despite all these advancements, the website remains sacred to a brand. Your user won’t begin their research without visiting your website. They look forward to a storytelling session, where you take them through your brand’s strengths and impress them with your abilities. The website is the face of the brand and the virtual salesperson that increases business visibility. 

It takes less than 50 milliseconds for a user to judge a business website. If they extend their time on your website, they may be converted into one of your customers.

A website guarantees brand visibility. You can reach your target market and make them aware of your business through your website. It also boosts customer support and engages them long enough to engage with your business. There are plenty of benefits associated with a good website. As a business owner, you need to consider your requirements and budget before finding a development company and starting your website work. 

Different Ways to Make a Website

There are off-the-shelf and custom methods to create your website. It would help if you sat down with your key decision-makers to identify the website development approach that is suitable for you. 

1. CMS Web Development

If you prefer a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach to building a website for your business, you should opt for the Content Management System (CMS) building approach. You can use off-the-shelf CMS frameworks such as WordPress to develop your website. These website builders allow you to choose the template, customise it to fit your needs, and add the necessary content. With this approach, you can get your website out in the market within a few days. However, you will not be able to differentiate your website or business abilities with this method. 

2. The Website Builder Approach

Wix is a famous website builder that allows businesses to release their website within minutes. Similarly, there is Webflow, which offers a website builder package that covers the whole process and gives you an expert to create your website. However, it is an expensive method and you cannot create personalised websites with this approach.

3. Custom Web Development

If you want to personalise your website to meet the unique demands of your customers, you should adopt the custom website development approach. It will help you connect with your audience and enhance conversions. You will need an expert website development company to translate your business idea into a workable website. 

What Does the Cost Depend on?

You are familiar with the different approaches you can take to develop a website. Along with the requirements, you also need to determine the cost of creating a website. This will help you define your budget. Here are all the factors that will impact website development costs. 

1. Domain

To get started with your website, you need a domain name. Your web presence is heightened through this name. You should pick a name that connects people to your business and will make them want to search. There are different platforms online, such as GoDaddy, where you can purchase the domain name. Your domain cost includes the cost of a domain name, the extension/s, and the privacy you will opt for. If you want additional security parameters, you need to pay for them. 

2. Hosting

Hosting is an important decision as it helps you choose a location for your website. Hosting costs are included when you develop a website from scratch or plan to use open-source solutions. The total cost depends on the hosting type and the features you have included. Dedicated hosting is slightly more expensive compared to shared hosting. 

3. SSL Certificate

SSL certificates are a must if you are a data-intensive website. It helps keep vulnerabilities at bay and ensures your website doesn’t get hacked. It protects payments and password-related information and stays secure inside the website. The SSL certificate comes at a specific price. Depending on the provider and the inclusions, it can cost anywhere between $7 and $250 per year. 

4. Website Theme

A website theme determines the aesthetics and appeal of the website. It is an important aspect that you need to consider. You can choose from the free-to-use themes if you have a tight budget. However, if you want to differentiate your website from others, you should choose a theme, which can cost anywhere between $4,000 and above (approximate costs). 

The cost also depends on the theme type and the website from where you purchase it. 

5. Website Images Cost (Logo, Banner, and other Images)

The website logo is a crucial part of your identity. It is the logo that determines your visibility and recognition. It would help if you spent some time defining your logo. You might need to invest in a designer to help you bring your logo to life. Apart from the logo, several aspects of a business website, such as banner images and inside page images, will require a designer. Your budget definition should include hiring a designer, the requisite infrastructure, and other aspects. 

6. Website Content

Content plays a pivotal role in engaging customers. Whether it is visual content (video, infographics) or textual content (web page, blogs), it will help you keep the customer on the website for a longer time. It is essential to have professional work on your website content, which will add to the development cost.

7. Ecommerce Functionality

If you are creating a website, especially an eCommerce website, you will need to pay attention to specific functionalities. For example, you need a product description page on the site, and you want the website to recommend products based on past purchases. List these functions and determine the cost of adding each one to the site. You might need to hire experts or add new technology to bring this functionality to life.

8. Website Integration

It has become common to integrate APIs from different applications and websites to enhance website experiences. You should include these integrations in your website development cost. You need to identify the API/s you want to have on your website and manage your functionality accordingly. 

9. Website Maintenance

You need to maintain the website so that it keeps running smoothly. You will face expenses concerning SSL certificates, hosting, and domain that you need to buy annually. You might also need to invest in extensions that your website may need.   

How Much Does it Cost to Build a website by Size?

It is essential to know that the cost of building a website depends on the size, the number of pages, and the functionality of the site. 

1. Cost of Building a Basic Website

The costs involved for a basic website include domain, hosting, and plugins. If you have the budget, you might invest in premium plugins and themes. A simple website costs around $200, approximately. 

2. Cost of Building an Advanced Website

The cost of building an advanced website will include that of a basic website but you will need to pay for the complexities involved and the high-level functionality you want to add to the site. 

3. Cost of Building an Ecommerce Website

An eCommerce website is an effective solution where you will host many products. This will include a more custom hosting solution and an agency to help develop complex functionality. The starting cost for creating such websites is $5,000.

How Much Does it Cost to Build a Website using a Website Builder?

The website builder will demand anywhere between $15 and $200 per month to help you design and create your website. You need to add other expenses to this to get a picture of the total amount you will spend.

How Much Does it Cost to Build a Website using a CMS?

You will need to pay for the premium theme or plugin to build a website using a CMS. It will cost you the exact amount you would pay for a basic or advanced website. 

How Much Does it Cost to Build a Custom Website?

In this case, you will be hiring a website development company, and they will take care of everything from start to finish. The cost will depend on the amount the company has quoted, and will be more expensive than other options.

Building a Website - How to Avoid Overpaying?

1. List your Requirements: When you begin your search for an apt website development solution, list your requirements. This will help you identify the features and the best-fit approach to make it live.

2. Content and Images: Both content and images (logo included) are essential to enhance visibility and increase engagement. It would help if you determined the costs of these aspects early on. Identify how you can work around a cost-effective solution without compromising on quality.

3. Hosting: If you are a small business, you can save a lot of money by opting for shared hosting. Similarly, you can opt for a combination of domain registration and hosting to save money in the first year.

4. Specific Plans and Offers: Carefully go through the details of the multiple hosting plans that each hosting provider offers and select the one that gives you the features you need. This will help you avoid paying for features that you will not use. Hosting providers also offer package deals and discounts that will help you save money.