CrazyLeaf Editorial E-commerce currently accounts for around 10 percent of retail sales in the US. It’s clear businesses and consumers alike are moving online.
To conduct business online, you’ll need a website. Even if you don’t run a shop, you still want to maintain a web presence. Your customers may be looking for you online.
Something might be holding you back from getting the website you want, and that’s website design cost. You’ve heard rumors about how much it will cost you, and you’re not sure you can afford it.
One solution might be to save up. How much will you need?
We’ll help you understand website design pricing. The costs can become quite high, but there are many ways to get what you need.
How Much Will a Website Cost?
You’re asking yourself, “How much does it cost to make a website?” The answer is it depends on what you want.
You can put together a very basic website on your own for a very small amount. You’d need to buy the domain, hosting, and potentially a design for it as well.
You’d also need to factor in any time you or your employees spend creating copy or building the website. At the end of the day, this do-it-yourself method adds up. All told, it might actually cost you more than hiring a professional website designer.
What Do You Want on Your Website?
What your website cost will be depends in large part on what you want from it. Chances are your business has needs the website must accommodate.
That means a cookie-cutter design won’t cut it for you. Custom website design is more about what’s under the hood. With professional website design, you’ll have more control over what happens behind-the-scenes.
It also means the answer to the question “How much does it cost to build a website?” is a little bit different. For those who feel a template option is right for them, the cost might be around $500 or so.
For a small or mid-sized business, professional website design cost can range from around $2,000 to $10,000 or more. Pricing changes depending on the complexity of what you want. A basic site with a handful of pages will cost less than an e-commerce site with a large catalog of products.
Determine What You Need
Start by mapping out what you need your website to do. How many pages will you need? Will you have a blogging function?
These considerations affect what you’ll need for a custom designed website. Adding content management system and integrated e-commerce costs more than a basic design for a few static pages.
Why You Should Consider Custom Design
Web design can still be very expensive, which is why many people choose lower-cost options. A WordPress theme, for example, costs a fraction of what professional web design costs. There are hundreds of free and low-cost themes available.
There are several reasons you might not want a template design. One problem is your website will end up looking like hundreds of others using the same theme.
Other problems can crop up in terms of design management. It can be difficult to find a theme that does everything you need it to do. Finally, you may not have full control of when updates happen or what capabilities the design has.
A good example is search engine optimization options. Many free themes don’t allow for full customization, which means your SEO efforts may suffer. Some themes may not be responsive, which means they won’t work as well on mobile and Google won’t rank the site as high.
This is true with other functions of the website as well. Custom websites deliver better customer service to your clients.
Another reason you want to consider custom design is the professionalism of it. Your website will look much more professional if you get help from the experts. Many DIY options look and feel a little amateurish.
You Can Afford the Website Design Cost
Looking at what you need and the range of prices, you might be worried you won’t be able to save up enough. Your business can’t afford $2,000 or $5,000 right now, but you need a great website if you want to grow.
What can you do?
There are many different options you can consider to help cover the costs of website design. If you have a business credit card or line of credit, you might use them to finance your website design.
You might want to consider options such as installment loans and direct lenders. Do some research and read up on your choices. You may even qualify for technology grants from government agencies.
Also be sure to negotiate with your chosen website designer. You may be able to get a better price than the initial quote or estimate.
Don’t forget investing in your website also comes with added financial benefits. You’ll likely do more online business with a great website. You may also be able to claim the website cost as a business expense on your taxes.
Finally, ask about other options. You can combine a DIY builder with professional design to get the best in design but save a little money as well.
How to Get the Website of Your Dreams
With website design cost in mind, you might be wondering how you can get started. There are simple steps to follow. Do some research and find the right designer.
Then make sure you have the right funding options. You can spend time saving up, or you can find financing to get the website your business needs today.
A website build or redesign can add up, which is why you want to make sure you do it right. Look around our blog for more inspiration. Giving your chosen designer some ideas about what you want will simplify negotiation.
You don’t have to wait to get a killer website for your business. Get started today, and boost your online business.
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