If you just started thinking about creating a website, the prices and options can be a little confusing at times. Most people think websites cost a lot, but honestly, they don’t. Below I will break down the cost of a website based on several price points, provide examples and links to resources to get you started on your journey.
All prices provided are estimates. I have tried to be as accurate as possible, but please visit the specified retailers for more information. This post will refer to several products we will talk about later, but just in case you are unfamiliar with them, here’s a brief introduction.
WordPress is a blogging website that allows you update the content frequently and easily. The blog setup is easy and simple. WordPress itself is free, and there are a handful of themes and layouts you can customize to make your website.
Joomla is an award-winning content management system (CMS), which enables you to build Web sites and powerful online applications. Many aspects, including its ease-of-use and extensibility, have made Joomla the most popular Web site software available. Best of all, Joomla is an open source solution that is freely available to everyone.
SiteBuilder is an easy to use, scalable web application designed to create and manage websites. Sitebuilder has a 5-Step point-and-click wizard that includes design and layout templates, page structure, sample text, and a powerful WYSIWYG editor for non-technical users.
Budget Range from $11 – $60
Small business owners and individuals who want a simple, but professional website should use this option. This budget range is small, but it actually accommodates most users on the web today. This option is great for small webstore with just a few items, business sites, personal portfolios, etc.
This type of web design for small business is best when the website is only needed to provide basic information, such as store location and hours. The free software provides you a template that lets you change the color and choose the layout. The upsides are that it is free or low-cost, relatively easy to use if you have some experience and you are in total control over your website design and maintenance. The downside is, unless you have the skills to write the code yourself and have an artistic eye for layout and design, your choices of designs are limited and you are likely to end up with a generic, amateur-looking website.
This price includes:
Purchasing a Domain for $3.99
Purchasing Economy Plan Hosting for $6.99/month
Installing WordPress, Joomla or using a free SiteBuilder $0.00
Installing a free Theme for $0.00 or Buying a Premium Theme $25 – $50
Below are a few samples of each option
Budget Range from $60 – $200
Medium-sized business owners and individuals who either already have a site up or an established audience should choose this option. This option is great for webstore with 20-75, business sites and personal websites with an average about of daily traffic.
The beauty of this is that you don’t need to do the dirty job yourself. However, because of the fact that they are using templates, these people are probably not qualified graphic designers. They are doing nothing more than changing the graphics, adding pictures or modifying the banners. You will have a website that looks much like any other small business’s website on the internet. If that does not bother you, these types of companies can be found by searching Craigslist and other job boards.
This price includes:
Purchasing a Domain for $3.99
Purchasing Deluxe Hosting for $9.99/month
Installing WordPress or Joomla
Buying a Premium Theme $25 – $50
Outsourcing Minor Modifications to a Web Developer $30 – $130
Below are a few samples of templates with modifications. The first graphic is the original theme called Busy Bee created by Woo Themes. The second two used the theme a basis for their own designs. Notice similarities in content and layout.
Budget Range from $130+ (the sky’s the limit)
Large Scale business owners and individuals who have an established audience and traffic should choose this option. This option is great for a large webstore with 75+, business sites, personal sites with a large following, traffic, subdomains and subscribers.
If your budget is in this category, expect the website to be completely custom designed by a qualified web designer. These designers will add custom graphics, make navigation buttons, and add your logo and other little niceties that will give your business a professional image. E-commerce and content management integration are typically not included in this budget range. This budget range is for those businesses that need sophisticated options on their websites and have the money to invest in them.
This price includes:
Purchasing a Domain for $3.99
Purchasing Deluxe Hosting for $17.99/month
Installing WordPress or Joomla
Custom theme Creation $100+
Below are a few samples of custom themes
