How much does a website really cost? Let’s look at the numbers

April 16, 2024

Reading Time: 3.4 Minutes

When considering developing a website, the main question always asked is how much does it cost? While there is no simple standard answer, the true answer always depends on the purpose, scope, and method of the project.

Establishing a website involves three key components that are domain registration, hosting, and design. For designing a website, there are three options to accomplish this that are the following: a website builder, WordPress, or hiring a designer.

Regardless of the option that you choose, it is important to understand the costs associated with each approach is crucial for planning and budgeting effectively.

Required essential website elements

Domain name

The starting point of developing any website is securing a domain name. Securing this is vital for the site’s online presence and branding. Domain registration costs vary but can typically range from $12 to $60 per year, depending on the domain registrar and domain type. It is imperative to choose a domain that will fit and match a brand or business name.

Hosting

Web hosting is necessary to make your website accessible to visitors. Hosting costs also vary based on the hosting provider, type, and plan. The average costs can range from $100 to $500 per year for shared hosting plans. While there are many factors you may consider when making your hosting decision, choosing a good host can help a site become visible to online users.

Design and development

The designing and developing of a website can be accomplished using a website builder, WordPress, or by hiring a professional developer. Costs for each of these design and development options can vary widely based on the chosen method and complexity of the project. The range of spectrum between these options is broad and can range from anywhere between $15-$1,000 and up depending on the chosen option.

Cost breakdown by design approach

Website Builder

• Cost: website builders often offer free plans or subscription-based plans ranging from $100 to $500 per year for premium features
• Pros:
  • Easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface
  • No coding skills required
  • Affordable pricing
• Cons:
  • Provides limited customization compared to WordPress or custom designs
  • SEO limitations
  • Subscription costs
  • Lack of scalability

WordPress

• Cost: the WordPress software is free, but needs to be paired with hosting ($100 to $500 per year) and possibly premium themes or plugins ($100+ per year)
• Pros:
  • Highly customizable,
  • Vast library of themes and plugins
  • SEO-friendly
  • Open source
• Cons:
  • Requires basic technical knowledge
  • Ongoing maintenance and updates

Hiring a Developer

• Cost: development fees can range from $30 to $100+ per hour, with project costs varying based on complexity and scope
• Pros:
  • Customized and professional design tailored to your brand
  • Expertise in coding and functionality
• Cons:
  • Higher upfront costs and ongoing maintenance may require additional fees
  • Consistent reliance on external expertise

Additional costs to consider

Have you started a website with one of the easy to use drag and drop builders or one of the free builders available to the market? If your answer is yes, jot down a few of the aspects that you like about the current site that you might have in place for your website.

SSL Certificate

Essential for security and SEO, SSL costs range from free (included with hosting) to $249 per year.

Plugins and subscription add-ons

Additional functionalities such as e-commerce, SEO tools, and contact forms may require paid plugins or add-ons.

SEO and Maintenance

Investing in SEO services ($500 to $6,000 per month) and ongoing maintenance (webmaster/content manager fees) ensures optimal performance and ranking on search engines.

Choosing the Right Approach

The best approach depends on your budget, technical skills, customization needs, and long-term goals. If you’re on a tight budget and prefer simplicity, a website builder may suffice. For flexibility and scalability, WordPress offers extensive customization options. Hiring a designer ensures a unique and professional website but comes with a higher price tag.