How much does a website cost?
What a great question – one where the answer is continually changing
That is because digital marketing, which includes websites and social media, is in a period of technical and cost transition. Since COVID, people have learned to shop online. So much so, that it is practically impossible to get consumers away from their computers. People actually prefer to shop online.
And they expect a perfect online experience.
Larger companies like Apple, Walmart, and Amazon have raised the website bar very high. Consumers are no longer willing to frequent businesses that don’t deliver a first-class digital user experience, or UX. The Interaction Design Foundation says UX is, “what design teams use to create products that provide meaningful and relevant experiences to users.”
What does that mean for you and your company?
If it’s been a while, your digital home probably needs renovation–or it may need to be replaced altogether.
Although the cost of redesigning a website can be daunting, but having a beautifully designed, up-to-date, fast, and well-functioning website is more important than ever.
So, let us explore how much your website could cost today. Keep in mind that a redesign may, in the end, have to be a complete overhaul.
Example Website Projects and Costs
Undoubtedly one of the first questions you will ask yourself is: Can I create or redesign this website myself, should I hire a freelancer, or is this build worthy of an agency’s expertise. Let’s see.
- A website with 1-10 pages
You might be able to get away with creating and updating it yourself with an online DIY platform. No custom coding necessary, just a few images and some content that you wrote yourself. This basic “billboard” or “brochure” type website with no custom coding and no integrations could cost $1,500-$3,000 from a freelancer, or less if you do it yourself. A professional agency like AndiSites provides small sites like these starting at $6,000. These use the WordPress Content Management System (CMS) and client-provided content. These sites don’t tend to change particularly often, and there are fewer bells and whistles for consumers to engage with.
- A company website that needs 20-50 pages
This will typically need a robust CMS, payment services, live chat or chatbots, calendars, client logins, etc. Integrations like these can drive up the cost of a website because they require experienced developers, designers, and copywriters. “The more integrations you have, the more testing and bug-fixing efforts your redesign project will require,” according to Valeria Syrokvash, Senior Business Analyst and UX Consultant, ScienceSoft. Understandably, the cost for these types of websites varies widely, from $10,000 when created by a freelancer up to $40,000 from a professional agency.
- An online retail outlet, government entity, or community college with hundreds of existing pages
These sites may need every page audited and updated. They may require sophisticated integrations, features, and functions; ADA accessibility; comprehensive discovery, user testing, and quality assurance; custom graphic design and development. Additionally, they will also need a sound strategy for ongoing optimization of content, code, and incremental improvement based on user feedback, analytics, and other performance input.
This scope requires partnering with a team of professionals to ensure the new website meets or exceeds your business goals. It needs to be SEO optimized; loads fast; has even faster conversion rates; is accessible; and gives site visitors a pleasant, memorable experience. These website projects can start around $50,000 and go up from there to $150,000 or more. Pricey by comparison, but worth the investment for the positive impact on engagement, enrollment, and/or sales. Check out the Government and Community College sites that AndiSites has designed!
Is Your Head Spinning Yet?
If these numbers have your head spinning, keep in mind a couple of things.
Your competitors are undoubtedly investing in website redesigns right now. And the websites that capture users today are more specialized than ever–with the best ones blending complexity with a great user experience. The kind of website that AndiSites designs and develops in partnership with our clients. They yield growth-driven results for your business through our friendly and collaborative process.
The kind we’d love to create for you. 🙂
Let us help you do that. We listen. We’re different. You’ll see.
Contact us and find out how AndiSites can help you with your web design project!
