"How much does a website cost?" is the first question most business owners ask, and the answers they get can differ enormously. That is not always because someone is overcharging. Websites are not a standard product, and the price depends on what you actually need.
Why quotes vary so much
Two websites can look similar on the surface and be very different underneath. One may be a handful of pages built from a ready-made template. Another may have a custom design, a booking system, online payments and two languages. They are not the same job, so they do not have the same price.
What drives the price
- The type of site. A simple company website, an online store and a booking or membership site need very different amounts of work.
- The number of pages. More pages mean more design, writing and testing.
- Custom design or a template. A custom design takes longer than adapting a template, but it can fit your brand and goals better.
- Content. Writing, photos and video either come from you or are created for you, and creating them takes time and skill.
- Features. Payments, bookings, logins, live chat, multiple languages and integrations each add work.
- SEO and tracking. Setting up page titles, descriptions, speed and analytics properly takes time, but it pays off for years.
- Timeline. Rush projects usually cost more.
Costs after launch
Ask what you will pay after the site goes live: domain renewal, hosting, email, security updates, backups and any support or maintenance plan. Some of these are small, but they recur every year, and some providers do not mention them up front.
What to ask for in a quote
- A list of exactly what is included: pages, features, revisions and content.
- Who owns the domain, the design and the website files when the project ends.
- The timeline, and what you need to supply and by when.
- What is not included, and what extras cost.
- What support you get after launch, and for how long.
Warning signs
- A very low price with no written scope
- No mention of mobile design, speed or security
- The provider keeps ownership of your domain or files
- Pressure to pay everything up front with no milestones
How to keep costs under control
- Start with the pages that matter most and add more later.
- Supply your own photos and key information where you can.
- Choose the features you need now and plan the rest for a second phase.
Not sure what you need? Answer three quick questions, or ask us for a clear scope and quote for your business.