“How much does a website cost?” is the question business owners ask most often, and the honest answer is: it depends. A simple brochure site of a few pages is a very different thing from a site with a booking system, several languages or a web shop. In this article we explain what the costs consist of and which choices influence them most. We deliberately do not quote fixed amounts here, because without knowing your requirements they say very little.
What makes up the cost of a website?
A new website usually involves four kinds of cost: design and build, copy and images, the technology around it, and the costs that continue after launch. If you only look at the build, the rest can come as an unpleasant surprise later on.
- Design and build: the number of pages, the amount of custom work and the features determine the size of the job.
- Copy and images: good, goal-driven text and professional photos take time or money, but they strongly influence whether visitors get in touch.
- Technology: domain name, hosting, security and any links with accounting software, payment providers or other systems.
- Ongoing costs: hosting, maintenance, updates and further development. A website is never ‘finished’.
What explains the price difference between two websites?
| Factor | Smaller project | Larger project |
|---|---|---|
| Number of pages | A handful of fixed pages | Many pages and a knowledge base |
| Design | A set-up design in your house style | Fully custom design with bespoke components |
| Features | Contact form and map | Bookings, accounts, multilingual or web shop |
| Copy and imagery | You supply them yourself | We write the copy and arrange the imagery |
| Visibility | Basic SEO during the build | Extensive keyword research and local SEO |
Cheap or expensive: what should you look at?
A do-it-yourself site builder is cheap to start with, but it costs you time and rarely delivers a professional result. An agency with a lot of overhead suits large organisations, but is often too big for a small business. What matters is that you pay for what you use. In every quote, ask what is and is not included, whether hosting and backups are part of it, and who looks after maintenance.
How to keep costs under control
- Start with a clear goal: more enquiries, orders or appointments.
- Begin with the pages that really matter and expand later.
- Supply copy and photos as completely as you can.
- Choose a system you can manage yourself, such as WordPress.
- Plan hosting, maintenance and, if needed, SEO in advance so there are no surprises.
Why a website is not an off-the-shelf product
A website looks like a product you can compare on price, but in reality you are buying a combination of hours, experience and decisions. Two quotes of the same size can differ a lot in what they contain: is a custom design created or an existing template adapted? Are copy and photos included? Is the site tested on phones and optimised for Google? It is therefore important to compare quotes on content, not just on the final amount.
Questions you can ask any web designer
- What exactly is included in the price, and what might be added?
- Who owns the website and the design after delivery?
- Can I manage the site myself, and will I get a walkthrough?
- What do hosting, a domain name and maintenance cost per year?
- How many rounds of feedback are included?
- Is search visibility (SEO) taken into account in the build?
A good web designer answers these questions without detours. If you get vague answers or cannot find out what you are getting, that is a signal to dig deeper or to compare another provider.
Costs versus returns
Do not only look at what a website costs, but also at what it brings in. One extra job per month or a few extra orders can earn back a large part of the investment. A cheap website that nobody finds or that looks untrustworthy ends up costing you more in missed customers. A good website works like an employee who presents your business day and night.
A quote tailored to you
At Dave’s Websites we work with tailored quotes. After an intro call we know what your business needs and can put together a proposal. Also take a look at our step-by-step guide to a new website and the page about web design, or get in touch for a no-obligation conversation.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions we hear most often. Is yours not listed? Get in touch.
Why do you not quote fixed prices?
Every website is different. A price without knowing what you need says little. After an intro call we put together a tailored proposal.
Are there ongoing costs after launch?
Usually yes: hosting, a domain name and, if wanted, maintenance and SEO. We discuss these up front so you know where you stand.
Can I start with a small website and expand later?
Yes, and that is often sensible. We take future growth into account in the set-up.