If you have arrived on this page it is because you are wondering how much it costs to make a website or because you have a website quote and are trying to figure out whether that quote is realistic or not.
Since I like to satisfy our readers right away, answering their questions, leaving them if they wish, (which I hope laughing) the opportunity to elaborate I will tell you right away that: there is no fixed or defined price for making a website.
To your initial question I try to give the most precise answer possible in the course of the article.
That’s right, the cost of making a website is a variable cost influenced by so many factors related both to the “web project” (i.e., what is to be made) and to the “professionalism required” for the purpose (who will participate in making the website).
But, if you really want to have a reference, I would go out of my way to tell you that on average a website for a small business costs between €700.00 and €1,500.00.
In the video I explain what variables may or may not affect the cost of making a website.
Sureit is also possible to spend less, if the site you need is very simple or with little customization and functionality. How likely it is to spend even much more.
First of all, it is important to understand that a website for a company or a professional is not something that already exists, but a “product” that needs to be designed and built based on the client’s specific requirements.
In this sense, a website is a customized and custom-built product, not a standard product, for which it is much easier to identify a cost.
I would like to dispel any doubts and clarify, from the outset, that to quantify the cost of a website it is not sufficient to divide it into:
- SHOWCASE WEBSITE: classic site for a company or freelancer, often with few pages and no constant or periodic updates;
- DYNAMIC WEBSITE: site that grows and develops over time, often supported by a CMS for content management and a blog;
- E-COMMERCE: a site directed to the sale of products or services online;
Within this common tripartition, in fact, what has been said above always applies, that is, that the cost of a website depends on how it is to be made and which professionals will be involved in the implementation and development project.
To explain further, let us go over specifically what elements may come into play in the creation of a website.
WHAT ARE THE FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE COST OF A WEBSITE?
1.Business Objectives – 2. Mode of Development – 3. Functionality
1.CORPORATE AND BUSINESS OBJECTIVES
If you are thinking about making a website, I recommend that you first ask yourself this question…. what do I need a website for?
No kidding…stop for a moment and ask yourself this question.
When you have given yourself an answer continue readingwink
Normally, a website is a marketing tool directed at accomplishing one of the 4 objectives below:
- provide online visibility and strengthen the brand
- attract potential new customers
- sell something
- offer assistance
What goal do you include your web project in?
If your goals include one directed at new customer acquisition or sales then it will be essential not only to have a site, but to optimize its structure on the SEO side and to study a marketing strategy that will allow the site to appear high on Google. To this end, making a site and putting it online will not be enough to achieve the goals, but other investments of time and resources will be needed to work on its ranking.
Once you are clear about the goal you intend to pursue with the creation of a website, the professional or web agency you have contacted will be able to propose the development solution most in line with your goals.
2.THE WAYS OF DEVELOPING A WEBSITE
There are many possibilities available today for creating a website.
For the purely explanatory purpose, I subdivide them as follows:
- Website builders, so-called site builders, software with a very simple interface that allows through a “drag and drop” system to build web pages, insert textual content and images. These are systems often used by those who want to proceed with “do-it-yourself” (e.g., Wix, Webnode, 1&1, Flazio, etc… ).
- Open Source CMS (CMS stands for Content Management System or Content Management System): free software developed through the intervention of programmers from around the world that allow a web master to develop a site and the end user to manage its content even without programming and development skills (e.g. WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Magento, Prestashop etc… )
- Proprietary CMS: these are software made ad hoc by a web agency, internally customized and with a “closed” code accessible only to those who designed the development.
- Website developed with the sole use of web programming languages html, css, javascript php etc…
Among those indicated there is no absolute right and wrong solution, the best choice is definitely the one that allows you to achieve your goals according also to your budget. Depending on the chosen solution we will have a different cost for the implementation of the website.
3.THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE WEBSITE
The more complex a website, the higher the price for its money-mouth development.
Below I list some features that tend to increase the cost of a website:
- multilingual: a site made in 2 or more languages for example Italian, English and/or French;
- restricted areas: these are sections specifically designed to allow access to registered users and offer them different features (e.g. download or upload files, view dedicated sections);
- e-commerce or booking engine: this is the functionality that allows users to be able to purchase a product or make reservations online;
- integration with CRM: (Customer Relationship Management ) i.e. systems for managing customer relationships (e.g. Sending e-mails, support tickets, customizing the offer, etc… )
- system for generating a quote;
- custom graphics without the use of templates (graphic themes);
WHAT PROFESSIONALS ARE INVOLVED
IN DESIGNING A WEBSITE?
I also mentioned at the beginning that the cost of a website depends on the professionalism required for its implementation.
In fact, depending on the objectives and functionality, more than one professional may be needed.
If you have to implement some particular functionality you may need the intervention of a web programmer.
If quality images and videos are an important part of the web project, it will be necessary to enlist the help of a photographer or video maker.
If content and text writing is the heart of our project it will be good to rely on a copywriter.
If you want to work on usability and the study of the graphical interface it might be useful to collaborate with a user experience designer, a professional capable of working on the interaction experience between users and websites
If you want fully customized graphics you will need the support of a graphic designer.
If you want to improve the ranking of a website on Google search results, it is essential to rely on an SEO consultant.
As you can see the creation of a website is a bit like a construction site, depending on the things to be done one or more professionals may come into play. It is clear that the greater the number of professionals involved in the project the greater the cost of the website.
HOW MUCH DOES A WEBSITE COST PER YEAR?
1.Hosting – 2. Domain name – 3. Maintenance
HOSTING AND DOMAIN NAME
Hosting (use of web space) and domain (name of your website www.miosito.it) are the classic periodic or fixed costs of a website.
They are usually annual in nature, but it is not excluded that some providers of the above services require a monthly payment, and are related to maintaining the site online. They are normally costs that for the needs of a website for a small and medium-sized business are between 50.00 and 150.00 € plus vat per year.
WEBSITE MAINTENANCE
Periodic maintenance of a website is not an ancillary or optional activity; on the contrary, today it is increasingly essential.
We tell our clients to think of their website as an automobile. Just as a car needs periodic inspections or a car service, a website cannot be as they say “done and left”.
Website maintenance is critical to:
- ensure security;
- ensure server-side compatibility;
- have code that is always up-to-date;
- ensure proper display on all devices and browsers;
TIPS…
If you are just starting out and thinking about making your first website or if you are thinking about redesigning your current site I want to give you some tips.
Start by steps
If you are not yet clear on the ideas or your budget is not so high, know that with a website you can start in steps. Start by thinking about the necessary and sufficient structure; you will always be able to add sections and features over time.
Aim for simplicity
What matters online is not to impress with special effects, but to offer people what they are looking for in the simplest and fastest way possible. A clear site that makes it immediately clear to the visitor what we are about and what we can offer will leave the user with a good browsing experience and entice them to return.
Investment and not cost
Don’t think of the website as a cost, but as a useful and necessary instrumental investment in your business or professional marketing. The Web site is not the alter ego of your online brochure; it can really be more than that. It can be useful in acquiring new customers and growing your revenue.
If you have come this far you will undoubtedly have a much clearer idea, and if you would like to ask us for a quote for the creation of your website, you have all the elements to help us formulate the best proposal for you.
