With website-building services that do all the coding for you, anyone can build a cheap website. But when it is time to get serious and hire a web design and marketing agency to create an effective business website, what should it cost in 2017?
This post on website costs breaks down different types of websites and shows the associated budget an active website that converts sales and adds value to your brand will include.
Can I get a website for less than $5,000?
If your budget is less than $5,000, you can still get a website, but most legitimate agencies in the U.S. can’t design and develop an effective site for that budget. It is true; you could hire a freelancer, college student, or outsource from another country. However, if you are technically minded, with a bit of learning, you could build a website yourself; if this is the route that your budget is forcing you to take, please check out our professional training called Pro-How. From our ‘Pro-How’ website, you can learn the skills needed to get your first website going. Once your business has reached enough success, we encourage you to come back and read on.
What kinds of websites are there, and how much do they cost?
Note: all price ranges listed below are fields that most web design agencies charge on average for business websites. Also, these prices assume that no additional services are included (such as logo design, content writing, photography, maintenance, hosting, and domain names).
- One Page (Scrolling) Website: This website is focused; the point is to get the visitor to buy a product or sign up for an offer, make a phone call, download a file, or submit a form. Since one-page scrolling websites are so streamlined, the work needed to build them is slightly less. You should expect a quote from $3,000 – $5,000+, depending on the project’s needs.
- Informational / Brochure Website: This is the most commonly used business website. Usually, an informational / brochure website has pages such as Home, About Us, Contact Us, Services, News/Blog, Testimonials/Reviews, and Frequently Asked Questions. These websites are usually built with WordPress so that the client can quickly make changes after the website is published. They market the business and its services, provide information, and create the brand. These sites range from $7,000 to $16,000 for smaller companies and can go up to $30,000 for websites with more complex needs, such as membership systems, resource centers, and sophisticated content.
- E-commerce Website: These websites usually include a shopping cart like WooCommerce and allow website visitors to make purchases. Each product listed on the website often gets its webpage, which describes and markets its benefits. Because these sites handle money, they have to be more secure and have some special needs. E-commerce websites start at around $9,000, and the sky is the limit. More complex e-commerce websites allow product customization detailed shipping rules, and can meet the demands of higher traffic.
Are there additional costs to think about?
While having a website is an essential part of your marketing strategy, it would be foolish to think that once you have an effective website, your marketing is complete. You should view your site as a channel to reach your customers. Following this analogy, social media websites like Facebook, LinkedIn, and X each represent other channels you can use to target customers. Additionally, you should not ignore traditional marketing like print advertising, radio, and television. Email newsletters and other online marketing efforts complete a healthy marketing strategy. As expected, these added services increase the total cost of advertising and marketing your business.
Are you looking for a marketing and design agency?
Look no further; RdyToGo – Web Design, Branding, and Marketing is a creative marketing agency with design studios in Myrtle Beach, SC, and Jacksonville, FL. We offer a complete range of marketing and design services and would love to help tell your story. Contact us today to get started.
