What budget do I need for a website?
If you’re asking how much does a website cost? Then the answer will be as vague as the question – roughly between £40 and £25,000 (as one website developer said... 'about as much as a car'. Website costs depend on the functions you need to get the right response from your target market. Responsive website design is included in our prices – it’s the functions and how you want to pay for the website that determines the price of a business website.
All businesses know they must have an online presence otherwise they ‘don’t exist’ to potential customers. If you can’t be found online how do your new customers know you’re in business? When evaluating the cost of building a website you should consider many factors that determine the price of the overall project. Do not do it yourself unless you are an experienced professional website developer.
Tip: Get a fixed price for your website design and build. Do not pay an hourly rate (same as any type of ‘builder’). There are two simple reasons for this:
- How do you know how quickly they work if you agree to pay them hourly?
- If they have any experience, they will already know how much a website design and build will cost in terms of man hours, resources and skills required.
Having a website design and build from a professional website design company doesn’t have to be confusing and if you approach a reputable website design company, like aprompt, they will explain what they will do and what you pay for.
Stages of website design and development
There are different stages of the website design and development process.
- Information Gathering (purpose of website, finding your websites target markets, goals, functions, call to actions)
- Design
- Development and Testing
- Delivery
- Maintenance
Don’t worry if you don’t know what you need or where to start, we can help with the type of website functions that best suits your needs and how much it will cost.
How much does it cost for good website design?
A better question would be how much it costs for bad website design – because the sky is the limit with this one. Bad website design could cost you your business, so always set aside a proper budget and use an experienced company that explains everything to you, has a good track record, great testimonials and a portfolio you like.
How much is an eCommerce shop website?
Be realistic with budgets and don’t scrimp. If you want a professional eCommerce shop website with lots of fantastic time-saving functions for you and your customers, then a budget of around £4000 is not going to get you very far. If you find a website developer to design and build you a responsive eCommerce shop website for this, then be aware - it is not a ‘bargain’ because you will pay a lot more in the end with lost customers/lost revenue/negative PR/late delivery/no delivery/no support/constant patching up, etc. etc. (that’s assuming the person who knocked it up for you is still answering your telephone calls).
Your website is your sales person that works 24/7 365 days a year - never sleeps, never goes off sick, doesn’t take lunch breaks and never has a holiday. This sales person knows everything about the services you provide and shares advice too. What would you pay that person as an annual salary, because that is one valuable asset for your company isn’t it? Probably more than £4000 a year? With this thought in mind, remember that it is well worth investing in your website. I’m not saying your website will cost the same as a top-notch sales person that never sleeps, but give your website the respect it deserves and invest in it properly – it will be worth it.
Invest in your website - it is worth it
We’ve been in this industry since 1998 so we keep seeing cheap websites and DIY web building kits coming and going. They do not work. You will waste your money. You will need to get it re-designed and re-built by a proper website design company, like aprompt for example, so why waste your time and money on that 'cheap website design' - get it done properly first time so you can reap the rewards.
Setting website budgets
One more point regarding how to set your website budget, then I’ll move on. If you have a budget that can’t quite reach the total amount of the website, ask the website designers if they offer staged payments so you can pay off the website over an agreed amount of time. Or ask if they do a monthly payment plan.
eCommerce website design and development costs - we offer one off payment or staged payments because we appreciate a website is probably the largest investment you’ll make next to staff/premises and stock.
CMS website design and development costs (brochure websites without payment facilities) - we offer one off payments or monthly subscription-based websites from £40+VAT – so there is something for every budget.
We are here to help your business thrive, so contact aprompt - website designers in Wiltshire - today for a no-obligation chat about your website design and development project.
Written by Kirsty Paget
