4. Web Design Costs
Web designers can range from free to tens of thousands of dollars or more. The range in cost is so wide because services can vary from company to company- there’s no “set rate” for a certain type of website. A general rule of thumb is that the more complex and time consuming a site is to create, the more expensive it will be. Here are a few factors that will impact the total cost of the site:
- Hiring a Well-known Company– A well-known web designer will be more expensive than a brand-new company or a freelancer that’s just starting out. Many of these designers tell customers that “you get what you pay for,” and to some extent, that’s true- well known designers tend to have good reputations because they do quality work.
- Additional Services– Some web designers incorporate online marketing techniques like search engine optimization services into the construction or updating of a site. This is a good idea- you can create your content around recommended SEO tactics, rather than changing text, logs, or links later on. SEO for small business is a great strategy, but keep in mind that these additional services will increase your total cost.
- All-inclusive Websites –Ecommerce web design services, or those sites where you can sell products, track inventory, and manage sales- will be much more expensive than a basic template site.
Cost Savings
Of course, more expensive doesn’t always mean best quality. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’re trying to keep costs low:
- Big companies aren’t always better. You can get a great deal using a smaller company or a freelance designer. Many freelancers charge a few thousand dollars for a showcase site that might cost up to $10,000 or more if purchased from a larger company. Make sure you check references, portfolios, and prior work before hiring a lesser-known designer.
- Purchase only what you need. It’s so important to make a specific list of all your requirements- it can be easy to get “sold” on a feature or capability that you really don’t have much use for. Contract for the most basic type of site that meets your needs.
- It’s more expensive to fix a bad design. Keep in mind that a poorly designed website can actually end up costing you more money in the long run. It’s a little like dyeing your hair yourself- you have to take into account the possible cost of fixing mistakes if your DIY effort is a disaster. A cheap web designer might not be such a great bargain in the long run if their work isn’t good.
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