Designing and building your website is critical in building the success of your company, and your brand, so how much should you expect it to cost?
WIth products and services moving to the digital space, a website is the modern day storefront or billboard for many businesses and can be the driving force behind whether someone wants to purchase or engage with your services, or look at other viable options. The goal however is more than plastering your business on a landing page, it’s understanding how you want your website to feed back into your business, the way in which your audience engages with your website, and how your website becomes a conduit between your business, and it’s goals.
Businesses have access to a range of platforms that base their sales pitch around how easy it might be to build your own website which is great, but understanding their overall benefits should be understood before deciding on which route to take. Deciding whether your should take things into your own hands or leave it to a professional can be a big decision. Here’s our thoughts.
Companies such as Squarespace, WIX and Shopify, are all great platforms for businesses that are looking for a quick solution to a timely task. WIth price conscious options starting from $17/month, gives access for small businesses with little backing to put their hat in the ring. These platforms offer pre-made solutions and drag and drop options which is a great way to launch your business to success… or failure. Although it creates an easy solution, there are certain limitations to the customisation to the development of your business’ website.
Pro’s - A price conscious solution that allows for a quick DIY solution for smaller businesses to get a start to promoting their business
Con’s - Restricted customisation with plugins that may be limited to updates. Removes the potential for professional insight regarding user experience.
Receiving a secondary opinion on the development of your website is a great opportunity for businesses to understand web elements and how they can help benefit your company, however with limited experience, specifically in the business of design, freelancers are generally unable to provide professional insight behind how to receive the greatest return on investment with your website.
Pro’s - Price conscious option that provides a designers insight to how your website should operate
Con’s - Limited experience and knowledge regarding how a website is able to best service your business. Potential limitations in responsiveness and ongoing support.
Smaller boutique agencies are generally well versed in developing website for clients that align with their brand, and business strategy. They use established platforms that allow for overall customisation, as well as create an easy handover procedure that provides their clients with the option to have ongoing assistance through potential retainers, or allows the client to manage the website themselves.
Pro’s - A high-quality design outcome that operates as a successful hybrid for furthering your brand and creating the opportunity for the business’ success.
Con’s - With a number of operating firms, the decision on which studio to choose can be overwhelming.
Web development agencies ensure that you’re able to receive the solution that your business needs. With custom solutions, custom coded websites, businesses that put their website at the forefront of everything they do are likely to make a large investment in the development of their website. Larger agencies tend to however also encourage their clients to have ongoing retainers that allow for further development outside of the systems CMS.
Cost: $500 - $5,000 setup fee or/and $500/month retainer option
Businesses in addition to having a web designer and developer, may likely find a need for an SEO specialist to assist in the overall ranking of a clients website, as well as provide assistance in the type of content that should be generated that increases the overall traffic to your website. Although they’re a great help, it does come with a pretty penny attached to it.
Cost: $100-$300 annually
Some boutique agencies use established platforms with great custom solutions that allow there clients to continue building off of their foundations. Platforms such as Webflow can range from $150/annually and reduce the need for ongoing maintenance retainer fees
Cost: $500-$1500 monthly
Retainer options are generally provided to clients during the offboarding period that provide businesses with the peace of mind that if anything were to go wrong with their website, they would have someone available to troubleshoot their issues. For larger fees, continuous growth and development of your site is also available, allowing your site to grow with your business.
Cost: $20+/month
For e-commerce sights, some provide subscription based fees that allow you to sell your products online to your clients. Other subscriptions may include Calendly or SevenRooms allows for people to make a reservation at your restaurant, or schedule a conference call to receive your service.
Cost: $12+ annually
Costs to host your website on your custom platform incur costs through services like Godaddy, Bluehost, or Squarespace which allow you to have a custom domain that creates credibility for your business.
Select a platform, studio or service that best suits your business and their needs. For small businesses that rely little on their website and might use it as a platform to display a catalogue or portfolio, the DIY option might be best for you. However if you’ve positioned yourself in the market to appeal to a higher end clientele or rely heavily on generating leads for your business through your website, boutique agencies are likely a more business conscious decision. If your company has an endless supply of money… go big or go home.
Designers looking to have an online portfolio, small startups business, hobbyists, bloggers
Small businesses looking for growth, cafes and restaurants, health professionals, corporate businesses, business developers and construction companies with a high cost product or service offering.
Six to seven figure businesses, tech startups, government agencies.
We continually invest time in understanding contemporary trends that are used acorss a range of design diciplines including art, music, fashion, and architecture.
