So you’re considering launching a fresh, innovative website for your business? That’s an exciting step! You’ve probably noticed that the cost estimates can be quite a mixed bag, right? Don’t worry, that’s normal. In this friendly guide, we’re going to simplify all those complex details, shedding light on the various things involved in answering the question, How much does website design cost?
Here’s what we’re going to chat about:
- What makes a website tick
- The hourly costs of web design
- Choosing between custom designs or pre-built themes
- Crafting compelling website content
- Adding some sparkle with images and other media
- Getting a domain name
- Selecting website hosting
- A real-world example of custom website costs
Crafting a Website: The Nitty-Gritty
Firstly, the type of website you want to build has a big say on the price tag. Let’s look at what your web design agency will typically offer:
- Project management: They’ll guide you through the planning stage, consultations, and provide invaluable advice.
- Research: They’ll pinpoint your objectives, target audience, and content strategy.
- Design: They’ll create your site’s structure, design, and revisions.
- Build: This is where they do the actual programming work.
- Content: They’ll arrange your content, and can even provide copywriting, photography, illustrations, and videos.
- Handover: They’ll train you on the website upkeep and provide documentation.
- Testing and Launch: They’ll test the website on different browsers, set up hosting, and finally, launch!
The Costs of Web Design: By the Hour
The price web designers charge usually depends on the time they spend planning, designing, and building your website. Here are a few typical scenarios:
- Offshore web company: £10 – £25 per hour. They can offer low-cost labour due to lower living costs.
- Freelance web designer: £25 – £50 per hour. They don’t have commercial offices, keeping overheads low.
- Small web agency: £50 – £75 per hour. They have commercial offices and staff salaries to pay.
- Large web agency: £75 – £150 per hour. They have swanky offices and a big team of skilled experts.
Your decision will largely depend on what you need from the project and the type of long-term support you’re looking for.
Custom Design vs Ready-Made Templates: The Showdown
If you’re pondering the question ‘How much does website design cost?’ it’s crucial to factor in the difference between a fully bespoke website and a template. A custom website, tailored to your unique needs, typically comes with a higher price tag. This is due to the time, effort, and expertise required to design and develop a site from scratch. It includes costs for in-depth planning, unique design creation, custom programming, and tailored content. On the other hand, opting for a template drastically reduces the cost. These ready-made solutions, often found on platforms like Wix, or Squarespace, offer a quick, affordable way to get online. However, they might lack the unique touch and advanced functionalities of a bespoke site. So, while templates provide an economical and convenient alternative, a bespoke website can deliver a more distinctive digital presence that grows with your business.
If you don’t have the budget for a fully bespoke website but want the personalised touch, speak to your web designer about customising a theme for your needs.
Content Creation: The Heart of Your Website
Remember, content is king. It’s what your visitors come for. Good content can turn a casual browser into a dedicated customer. You can either create content internally or hire a professional copywriter. They typically charge per word or page, and can create content for your homepage, about page, contact page, service pages, and even things like case studies and articles. You should budget around £50 – £100 per page, depending on whether you hire a freelancer or an agency.
Images and Multimedia: Jazzing It Up
Images add a splash of colour and support your content. Professional, unique images can boost the appeal of your services. You might want to hire a professional photographer, which could cost between £150 and £500 per day. Alternatively, you can also use stock photography resources sparingly.
Domain Names: Claiming Your Web Address
Every website needs a domain name. These are typically rented annually, and you can get discounts for longer commitments. Here are some typical yearly costs:
- .co.uk – £10
- .com – £15
- .net – £15
We recommend checking out our domain registration services.
Web Hosting: Your Website’s Online Home
Your website needs a digital ‘home’ to be accessible on the internet. This is another annual cost. Remember, cheaper isn’t always better when it comes to hosting. We recommend checking our our own website hosting services.
Website Design Cost: A Practical Example
To give you a better idea, let’s consider an example:
You decide to hire a small, local agency charging £400 per day:
- Project management: 1/2 day, £200
- Research: 1/2 day, £200
- Design: 3 days, £1200
- Build: 3 days, £1200
- Content: £600
- Handover: 2 hrs, £100
- Testing and Launch: 2 hrs, £100
- Domain Name: £10
- Hosting: £120
Your total comes to around £3600, plus £130 in yearly fees (VAT not included). Now, if you go with a larger agency charging £750 per day, your cost would be closer to £6,500 plus ongoing fees. Remember, the larger team brings specialist skills to the table, and you might even get a full marketing campaign to back your website.
Wrapping Up
Remember, building a website is about more than just the final product. It’s about the journey there, and who you take it with. The type of company you partner with can greatly affect your experience. Here’s to launching a website that’s not only functional but also a joy to create!
