Of all the questions we may be asked as web designers, the most common will undoubtably be “how much does a website cost?”.
Your website is often the first impression potential customers have of your business or charity. A well-designed, professional looking website can be a key factor in building trust and driving sales.
Whilst building your own website is a possibility, and there are many great tools out there to enable you to do just that, sometimes you need someone with the right experience and expertise to help.
So, just how much does it cost to hire someone to build a website?
Well, just like building a new house or choosing a new car, the answer depends on many things, from the complexity of the design to the range of functionality you require. I want to help you to break down the key cost considerations when hiring a professional web designer.
Cost or investment?
Whilst we may see the investment in a new website as a significant cost, a well-planned website is one of the most powerful tools for growth. When considering the price of a website, it’s good to shift your perspective from viewing it as a mere expense to recognizing it as a strategic investment.
The value it brings to your business or charity should far outweigh the initial cost, as it becomes a long-term asset driving traffic, increasing sales, and building trust with your audience.
What influences the cost of websites?
Each of the following factors can significantly impact the final price, so it’s essential to understand how they apply to your business needs.
The scope of the project
The size and scope of your website project is the single most significant factor affecting cost.
For a small business, you might only need a simple website with a few pages – home, about, services, and a contact page.
Larger businesses, particularly those with e-commerce needs, will require more complex designs with additional functionalities like product pages, customer accounts, and secure payment gateways.
Websites can be customized in a million different ways today. Good web designers will be able to take most of your ideas and turn them into reality. We say ‘most’ as there are still things that websites can’t do!
Design and user experience
Custom design work requires a level of expertise that influences pricing. If you’re looking for a bespoke design tailored to your brand, it’s going to cost more than using pre-made templates (which is an option if you’re on a tight budget, but can limit future development).
User experience (UX) is another important factor. A well-thought-out website should guide visitors seamlessly through your site, making it easy for them to find the information they need. Poor UX, on the other hand, can lead to high bounce rates (people arriving on your site and hitting the back button without doing anything) and missed opportunities. Investing in quality design and UX can be more expensive upfront, but it often pays off in increased customer satisfaction and conversions.
A fully customized website allows you to stand out from the competition, but it requires more time from the designer.
Search engine optimization
Investing in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) during the design process ensures that your website ranks well on search engines. While this might not be a direct cost of design, it’s crucial for driving traffic to your site. Some web design agencies include basic SEO setup in their packages, but if you need a more comprehensive strategy, this can add to the overall price.
Content creation
A website is nothing without the words and images on each page. Some people find writing easy. Others can have writer’s block while putting the shopping list together!
And we need to think of that all-important SEO. Professional web designers with sound marketing experience can help you with this, but it can be expensive. Of course, we have AI to help with this, but we have to make sure what we write is useful for our visitors (as I hope this article is for you)!
Functionality and features
The more complex the features you need, the higher the cost of your website design. For example, an e-commerce website requires functionality like payment processing, shopping carts, product management, and customer databases.
Similarly, businesses in the service industry may need online booking systems, while others may require membership portals, subscription options, or advanced integrations with third-party tools.
Many businesses and charities could make great use of a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system to manage leads, donations, memberships and so on..
Ongoing maintenance
Building a website is not a one-time expense. You’ll need to consider the ongoing costs of hosting, security, and maintenance, which can range from €50 to €300 per month, depending on the level of support you need. Many web designers offer monthly retainer packages for these services, which include regular software updates, backups, uptime monitoring, and performance monitoring.
What pricing models do web designers use?
When considering the cost of hiring someone to build a website, it’s important to understand the pricing models typically used in the industry.
Fixed pricing
Fixed pricing is the most common for custom website design. You and the designer agree on a set price for the entire project based on your requirements. This approach works well if you have a clear idea of the scope and functionalities needed. However, any additional requests beyond the original agreement can incur extra charges.
Hourly rates
Some web designers charge by the hour. This method is usually more common with freelance web developers and designers. Hourly rates can range from €50 to €150 per hour depending on the designer’s experience and location. This pricing model can work if your project is smaller or needs ongoing tweaks and updates.
A website cost calculator can be a useful tool if you want a rough estimate before committing to a designer. By entering your requirements (e.g., number of pages, features, e-commerce functionality), you can get a general idea of what your custom website might cost.
How to choose a designer and get the best value for your website budget
While it might be tempting to opt for the cheapest solution, keep in mind that your website is an investment in your business. A poorly designed site could cost you customers and sales in the long run.
Look for empathy – someone who understands the issues your business or charity faces and, even more importantly, those of your customers. That awareness can make all the difference turning your website into something that moves you forward.
Here are a few tips to maximize your value:
Prioritize your needs
Clearly define the essential features you need from your website. Separate “must-haves” from “nice-to-haves” to avoid overloading your site with unnecessary features that drive up the cost.
Work with experienced designers
Look for designers or agencies with a proven track record in building websites for businesses similar to yours. Experienced designers often cost more, but their expertise ensures that your website will function smoothly, look professional, and be optimized for search engines.
Get multiple quotes
Don’t settle on the first designer you talk to. Reach out to a few different designers or agencies and ask for quotes. Compare their portfolios and services, but don’t necessarily focus on the cheapest – look for the one that understands you.
Some examples of websites
Business/service provider ‘brochure’ website
Used to show your business to prospective customers and demonstrate your skill and expertise.
Features: Homepage, Services, About, Testimonials, Contact – maybe a booking page for initial meetings
Booking website
To advertise your events events, classes or courses and allow them to book and pay online.
Features: Event/class listings, Booking tool with secure checkout, About, Contact
Online shop
To promote and sell products securely online
Features: Homepage, Product page(s), About, Secure checkout, Contact, Customer dashboard
Learning platform
To teach people through structured learning – videos, quizzes, certificates
Features: Homepage, Course page(s), About, Secure checkout, Contact, Customer dashboard
Blog
Educate your audience and demonstrate authority about a subject. Can be included on any other type of website and is often used to bring visitors to your website (possibly like bringing you here).
Features: Articles, Article lists, Categories, Search, About
Some examples of website costs
Thanks for getting this far! Here are three example of what you might need to pay to get a well-designed and well-built website that will move your business or charity forwards… something that could be considered a real investment. VAT will be applicable in most cases.
Example 1 – a straightforward ‘brochure’ website
A simple website design with minimal customization might cost anywhere between €1,000 to €2,500. Remember, we’re talking about a good website. You might get one for less, but would it work for you?
Example 2 – a charity website with a blog and online shop to sell merchandise
A charity needing a more advanced website with ecommerce features, integrations, and some custom development, might need to pay €3,500 to €8,000 or more, depending on the complexity.
Example 3 – a learning website with a blog and online courses through video
A charity sharing some of its varied knowledge about a subject, with courses taught through videos might need to pay €3,500 to €15,000 or more, depending on what’s required. We’ve made sites with explainer videos where we’ve put the videos together and recorded the audio, as well as putting it all together.
Invest in a website that works for you
A custom website is one of the most important investments you can make for your business. By understanding the factors that influence the cost scope, design, functionality, and ongoing maintenance you can make an informed decision that fits your budget and business goals.
As you can see, it isn’t a “one size fits all” by any means. If you’re wondering how much it might cost to hire someone to build YOUR website, get in touch with us today. We’ll work with you to create a professional, custom-designed website that meets your needs and budget.
