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So you’re ready to build a brand new site for your business and probably wonder, “How much does it cost to build a website?”
The short answer is: it depends. The total cost will depend on the type of website you need, the features and functionality you require, and the level of customization you desire.
This chart shows a rough cost range for the essential features needed to build a website. You might’ve noticed that the range varies greatly and mostly depends on whether you are building a website for a small business or an enterprise. Factors like using a website builder or creating a fully custom website can also make a difference.
Predicting the exact cost can be difficult, but knowing what goes into developing your website can help you determine a budget.
In this post, we’ll break down the costs associated with building a website in 2024. There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get started.
When considering the costs of building a website, it's essential to understand the different types of websites and their purposes. Each type has its cost structure based on various features.
Blogs can be simple websites that typically include basic features like a homepage, blog posts, and an about page.
Average Cost: $100 to $500
Business websites showcase a company's services or products and provide essential information to potential customers. They usually include multiple pages, such as home, services, contact, and sometimes a blog.
Average Cost: $500 to $5,000
These websites are online stores where businesses sell products or services. They’ll include more complex features like shopping carts, payment gateways, and product management systems.
Average Cost: $1,000 to $10,000
Web applications are highly complex, interactive sites that perform specific functions, such as social media platforms, online banking sites, or project management tools. They require a hefty investment in both development and maintenance.
Average Cost: $10,000 to $100,000 or more
Your domain name is like your website's home address, which people use to find and visit your website. For example, if your web address is “www.yourawesomesite.com,” your domain name is “yourawesomesite.com”
A standard domain name can cost anywhere between $10 to $50 per year. In some cases, you can get a domain name for free when you pay for web hosting. Conversely, premium domains can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars!
The price of a domain will largely rely on factors like market demand, domain length, and keyword popularity.
Here are some other factors to keep in mind when first purchasing a domain name:
Rates for registration and renewal can vary depending on which domain registrar you choose. Popular registrars include Bluehost, GoDaddy, Hostinger, and Google Domains (acquired by Squarespace), which allow you to find new .com domains for $7-$15 per year.
Common domain extensions, like .com, .net, and .org, usually cost around $10-$15 per year, while less popular extensions, such as .biz and .info, or newer extensions, like .app, may cost more, sometimes over $20 per year.
While domains must be renewed annually, registrars often provide discounts for registering for multiple years upfront (e.g., 2-10 years). Pre-paying for several years can provide some cost savings over yearly renewals.
Many registrars offer domain privacy protection as an add-on service to keep your personal contact information private in the WHOIS directory. This usually costs an additional $5 to $15 per year.
High-value, brandable, or previously registered premium domains can cost hundreds to millions of dollars from domain investors or resellers. For example, in 2020, Insurance.com sold for $35.6 million at an auction!
Registrars often bundle domain purchases with add-on services like web hosting, business email, or website builders, which can increase the initial cost.
Shared hosting is the most affordable option. Because your website shares server resources with other sites, this is most suitable for small websites or personal blogs with low to moderate traffic.
Average Monthly Cost: $2 to $20
VPS hosting offers more dedicated resources and better performance than shared hosting. It is an ideal option for websites that are in the growing phase and need more control and reliability.
Average Monthly Cost: $2 to $145
Dedicated hosting provides an entire server exclusively for your website, offering maximum performance, security, and customization. This option is suitable for high-traffic websites or those requiring advanced security features.
Average Monthly Cost: $92 to $520
Cloud hosting is a flexible and scalable solution that adjusts resources based on demand. It is ideal for websites with variable traffic patterns, ensuring your site can handle traffic spikes efficiently without compromising performance.
Average Monthly Cost: $10 and $380
Plenty of powerful but user-friendly website builders are available if you want to build your own website. A few of the most popular website builders include Weebly, Jimdo, Shopify, Wordpress.com, Squarespace, and Wix.
If you’re worried about having little to zero coding knowledge - have no fear; website builders are here. Website builders are an excellent tool for building beautiful websites without extensive technical knowledge.
While they’re the most accessible and cost-effective solution for creating and managing a website, the cost of using these platforms varies considerably based on their features and plans.
Let’s look at the cost of some of the most popular website builders in 2024.
If you plan on enhancing your site’s functionality with add-ons like premium templates or plugins, be prepared to factor in additional costs to your overall budget.
While many website builders offer free templates, premium templates provide more advanced designs and customization options.
Average Cost: $30 to $200, depending on the complexity and the provider
Extensions and plugins add specific functionalities to your website, such as SEO tools, social media integrations, and advanced analytics. Some plugins are free, but premium plugins come with additional features and support.
Average Cost: $5 to $100 per month for premium plugins or a $20 to $200 one-time fee
You might need custom development if you want more unique or advanced functionalities. This involves hiring a developer to build specific features tailored to your needs.
Average Cost: $500 - $20,000, depending on level of customization and complexity
Beyond the initial setup, maintaining your website involves regular updates, security monitoring, and troubleshooting. Some website builders include basic maintenance, but you may need additional support for more complex sites.
Average Cost: $50 to $300 per month, depending on the level of support
Additional costs for e-commerce websites include transaction fees, payment gateway fees, and additional e-commerce plugins or extensions.
Average Cost: $10 to $50+ per month for advanced ecommerce plugins plus a 2% - 3% transaction fee per sale
Creating a custom website involves tailoring the design, functionality, and features to meet specific needs and preferences. This process typically requires hiring professionals such as web designers and developers, making it a more significant investment compared to using a website builder.
Here's a breakdown of the costs involved in developing a custom website:
A basic custom website usually includes a unique design, a few essential pages (home, about, contact), and basic functionality. This kind of website is suitable for small businesses or simple informational sites.
Average Cost: $2,000 to $5,000
A mid-range custom website includes more advanced features such as custom animations, interactive elements, and integration with third-party services (like social media, payment gateways, or CRM systems). This type of website is suitable for businesses that need a more robust online presence with additional functionality.
Average Cost: $5,000 to $20,000
A high-end custom website involves a high level of customization, advanced functionality, and possibly complex integrations (e.g., e-commerce systems, user accounts, and databases). This type of website is suitable for larger businesses, e-commerce sites, or web applications that require extensive functionality and scalability.
Average Cost: $20,000 to $100,000 or more
A Web Developer is essential for coding and building a website. Developers may be needed for front-end (responsible for the visual layout) and back-end (handling server-side functions) tasks.
Average Cost: $50 to $150 per hour
A Graphic Designer will ensure that visual elements such as logos, custom graphics, and the overall site design align with your branding.
Average Cost: $30 to $100 per hour
An SEO Specialist ensures the website is optimized for search engines to improve visibility and ranking.
Average Cost: $70 to $150 per hour
A Content Writer or Copywriter can help develop engaging content for web pages, blogs, and other content. They can also help with marketing materials.
Average Cost: $50 to $150 per hour or $100 to $500 per page
UI/UX Designers will focus on the user experience, ensuring the website is easy to navigate and visually appealing.
Average Cost: $50 to $120 per hour
A marketing specialist can help create and execute digital marketing strategies to attract and retain visitors to your business.
Average Cost: $60 to $150 per hour
A photographer/videographer can help produce high-quality images and videos for the website.
Average Cost: $100 to $300 per hour, while videographers charge $500 to $5,000 per project.
Provides technical support and ensures the website runs smoothly.
Average Cost: $50 to $150 per hour or $500 to $2,000 monthly for ongoing support.
Investing in a business website can provide a significant return on investment by enhancing your online presence, attracting new customers, and driving business growth.
Now that your website is set up, you want to ensure it remains a smooth operation, which requires ongoing maintenance.
Routine website maintenance includes regularly updating your content management system (CMS), plugins, and themes. Additionally, performing regular backups is crucial for restoring your website quickly in case of data loss or technical issues.
Costs may include:
Security maintenance is crucial to protect your website from cyber threats such as hacking, malware, and data breaches. This involves implementing security measures like SSL certificates, firewalls, and regular security scans. Ongoing security monitoring services can also help detect and respond to potential threats in real time.
Costs may include:
Note that your costs can fluctuate over time based on the website's size, complexity, traffic, specific maintenance needs, and whether you handle it yourself or hire professional services. Proper budgeting for routine maintenance and security is crucial to keep your website running smoothly and securely.
Marketing is essential for the success of any website. Even the most beautiful website can only reach its target audience with proper marketing. Marketing helps to increase visibility, drive traffic, build brand awareness, and boost sales.
Here's a breakdown of the various marketing costs associated with running a website:
Regularly publishing high-quality blog posts can help improve your website's SEO, drive organic traffic, and establish your authority in your industry. Hiring freelance writers or content agencies can cost anywhere from $50 to $200 per post.
Engaging video content can enhance user experience and boost engagement. Depending on the complexity and quality, professional video production costs can range from $500 to $5,000 per video.
Promoting your content on social media platforms helps reach a broader audience. Costs can include hiring social media managers ($500 to $2,000 per month) and running paid promotions ($100 to $1,000+ per month).
Average Monthly Costs: $500 to $5,000+
Running pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns on Google can drive targeted traffic to your website. Monthly costs for Google Ads can range from $500 to $5,000+, depending on your budget and industry competition.
Advertising on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn can help reach specific demographics. Monthly costs for social media ads typically range from $200 to $2,000+, depending on the scope and reach of the campaigns.
Average Monthly Costs: $700 to $7,000+
Email marketing remains a highly effective way to engage with your audience. Services like Mailchimp and ActiveCampaign offer various plans to suit different needs. Basic plans can start at $10 to $50 per month, while more advanced plans with additional features can cost $100 to $300.
Average Monthly Costs: $10 to $300
When budgeting for a business website, it’s important to factor in additional costs beyond the basic development and design. These extra expenses can significantly impact your overall budget but are essential for a fully functional and secure website.
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates ensure data security between your website and visitors. They encrypt sensitive information, such as personal details and payment information, helping to prevent data breaches. SSL certificates also build trust with your visitors, as many users look for the padlock symbol in the address bar before entering any information on a site.
The cost of SSL certificates varies based on the level of security and validation they provide:
Plugins and extensions add functionality to your website, such as SEO tools, contact forms, e-commerce features, and security enhancements. Popular plugins include Yoast SEO for search engine optimization, WooCommerce for e-commerce, and WPForms for creating forms.
Costs can vary depending on whether you opt for a one-time purchase or a subscription:
Third-party services can enhance your website’s capabilities and improve your business operations. Typical services include email marketing tools (like Mailchimp), analytics platforms (like Google Analytics), and CRM (Customer Relationship Management) integrations (like Salesforce or HubSpot).
Associated costs will depend on what third-party services you go with and the plan you pick:
Training your team to manage and update the website is essential, especially if you plan to handle content updates internally. Additionally, having access to professional support can resolve issues quickly.
Costs for training will depend on whether you have ongoing support or single sessions:
Ensuring your website complies with legal requirements and regulations, such as GDPR for data protection, is crucial. Legal consultations and compliance tools can help.
Legal costs can vary depending on whether you work with consultants or pre-existing tools:
Factoring in these additional costs ensures your website remains secure, functional, and equipped with the tools necessary to support your business’s growth. By planning for these expenses upfront, you can avoid unexpected financial surprises.
When budgeting for a business website, it’s important to account for unexpected events that can arise during and after development. Though events like needing multiple rounds of revisions, technical issues, and unpredictable growth cannot be planned for, it is vital to keep them in mind when allocating your budget.
It's common for clients to request changes or additional features during the development process. These revisions can incur extra costs, especially if you require significant adjustments to the design or functionality. Always plan for a buffer in your budget to accommodate these potential changes.
Technical issues can arise unexpectedly, necessitating troubleshooting and fixes. Whether it's a bug in the code, compatibility issues, or unexpected downtime, addressing these problems often requires additional hours from your development team, leading to higher costs.
As your website grows and traffic increases, you may need to upgrade your hosting plan or add new features to handle the additional load. This can include upgrading to a more robust hosting solution, optimizing performance, or integrating new technologies. The costs for scaling can vary widely, from a few hundred dollars for minor upgrades to several thousand dollars for significant overhauls. When planning your website, it's essential to anticipate future growth and scalability needs. Investing in scalable solutions can minimize costs and disruptions later on.
Building a website is both a dollar and time investment. So, choosing the right website solution that involves understanding your needs, balancing costs with long-term value, and making informed decisions to stay within your budget is important.
Start by identifying the primary purpose of your website. Are you building a business site, an e-commerce platform, or a complex web application? Define your goals and list the features and functionalities you need to achieve them. Consider your target audience, the type of content you’ll be sharing, and any specific technical requirements. This assessment will help you prioritize essential features and avoid unnecessary expenses.
Opting for the cheapest solution can be highly tempting when considering the final numbers. However, investing in a custom or premium website builder plan can provide better performance, scalability, and user experience, leading to higher returns and possibly lower costs. Evaluate the potential benefits, such as increased traffic, improved customer engagement, and enhanced brand reputation, against the upfront costs to make a decision that will serve you in the long run.
Building a website for your business is a significant investment in 2024. Even more, costs can be challenging to estimate because of many variables, like the type of website you choose, the features and functionality you need, and the level of customization required.
While more expensive, custom websites offer tailored functionality and scalability that can provide substantial long-term value. Additionally, it is important to budget for ongoing maintenance, marketing, and security.
Based on our estimated costs, you could spend anywhere between $500 to $560,000+ to build and maintain a website for your business.
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What factors influence the cost of a website?
Several factors influence a website's cost, including the type of website, design complexity, functionality, content creation, hosting, maintenance, and additional services such as SEO and security.
What is the difference between a custom website and using a website builder?
A custom website is tailored to your specific needs and designed from scratch, often requiring professional developers and designers. A website builder (like Wix or Squarespace) offers pre-designed templates and drag-and-drop tools for a more budget-friendly and quicker solution.
Do I need to hire professionals to build my website?
While it is possible to build a website yourself using website builders, hiring professionals (such as web developers, designers, and SEO specialists) can ensure a higher quality, more customized, and better-performing website.
How long does it take to build a website?
The timeline for building a website varies depending on its complexity. A simple website can take a few weeks, while a more complex site, especially one custom-built, can take several months.
Can I upgrade my website as my business grows?
Yes, many website solutions offer scalability options, allowing you to upgrade hosting plans, add new features, and enhance functionality as your business and website traffic grow.
How can I reduce the cost of building a website?
To reduce costs, prioritize essential features, use free or budget-friendly tools and resources, and plan thoroughly to avoid unnecessary revisions. Consider starting with a simpler version of your website that can scale up over time.
