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Understanding the Costs of Building a Website

Are you in the market for a new website and not sure where to start or how much it will cost you? Keep reading!

Building a website isn’t just about picking a pretty theme – there are numerous costs involved that you might not have thought about. Whether you’re creating a personal blog, an online store, or a business site, you’ll need to budget for things like a domain name, hosting, and ongoing maintenance. In this post, we’ll walk you through the key costs you should be aware of so you can plan ahead and avoid any surprises down the road.

  1. Domain Name
    Your domain name is the address for your website (e.g., www.yourcoolwebsite.com).
    Domains can range from $10 to $50 a year depending on the domain extension and domain registrar you use. (A domain registrar is a company that allows people and organizations to register domain names for websites). Websites ending in .com or .net are typically more affordable, but premium extensions (e.g., .org, .shop, etc) will cost more. Sometimes paying for the domain for years in advance will save you money. It’s also a good idea to buy multiple domain names and redirect them to your main website. It’s better to buy them early on vs. later since someone could purchase them before you and may hold the domain you want.
    Tip: Turn on auto-renew & make sure that you have an updated payment method on file to avoid your domain expiring – it may be expensive to get back.
  1. Website Hosting
    All websites need hosting! Hosting is where your website lives on the internet and where your website files are stored. There are many types of web hosting options available and it’s a good idea to research different plans and companies before making a purchase.
    Website hosting can range from $5 to $500+ per month – it depends on who you use as a website host and what plan you’re on. (Need help figuring out what type of hosting plan you need? Get in touch and we can point you in the right direction!) If you are using a website builder like Wix, Squarespace or Shopify, you don’t need to purchase a separate hosting plan as the monthly fee includes hosting on the platform.
  1. Website Design & Development
    Website design & development are the most expensive items for building a website, but instead of looking at it as an expense, view it as an investment.
    • Hiring a Professional
      We recommend hiring a professional to design and build your website for you. Our team can create a website that is crafted for your brand and your business goals. We build websites that are mobile optimized, SEO friendly and accessible. Website design packages can range from $3,000 to $20,000+, depending on page count and functionality of the website.
    • DIY Websites
      If you are a DIY-er, there are solutions out there to help you get a website up quickly if you are on a budget. You can use Wix, Shopify, Squarespace or a different web builder. The cost of these can range from $12 to $300 per month. While DIY-ing a site may seem easy, there are limitations within these platforms, and you may not be able to make it look or function how you want without shelling out more money to pay for apps or premium features. There is also a downside to using these builders – you must stay with their platform, meaning you can’t export your web files and go somewhere else.
  1. Content Management System (CMS)
    A content management system is the platform that is used to create, manage and update your website content. WordPress is our go-to for CMS, but some other examples of content management systems are Joomla, Drupal, Shopify and Magento.
    • WordPress, Joomla and Drupal are free content management systems, and they are open source.
    • Shopify, SquareSpace and Magento are all premium CMS and have monthly fees attached to them. These can range from $20 to $300 per month.
    • Content management systems can also be custom built & developed but expect to invest a lot of money into a custom solution.
  1. Themes & Plugins
    There are lots of free plugins and themes on the WordPress repository but sometimes you just need something specific – this is where premium themes and plugins come in.
    • Premium themes are usually a one-time purchase and can range from $50 to $300, while premium plugins usually have a yearly fee.
    • Plugin costs range from $10 to $200 per year. It’s important to keep your subscription active for premium plugins so that you can receive plugin updates. Outdated plugins are a security hazard.
  1. SEO and Digital Marketing
    Well, you bought your domain name, hosting and paid for a website to be built…now what? You need SEO! Search engine optimization and digital marketing are crucial for directing traffic to your website.
    • Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
      Having a solid SEO strategy is important for long-term success and hiring a professional for SEO is the way to go. SEO work can range from $500 to $5,000+ per month and paid advertising can range from $200 to $5,000 per month depending on your budget and goals.
    • Digital Marketing
      Digital marketing is the use of digital channels to promote your business and connect with potential customers. Some examples of digital marketing are pay-per-click ads, email newsletters and social media. If you’re too busy running your business and don’t have time to post on Facebook or Instagram, you can hire an agency to create content and manage your social media accounts for you.
  1. Website Maintenance and Updates
    Websites are not a one-time project – they require ongoing maintenance, updates and security checks. Maintenance includes updating plugins, security patches, backing up your site files and updating content periodically. We offer different types of web maintenance packages based on your needs but we are also available à la carte should you need help.
  1. Some Additional Costs to Consider
    • Transaction Fees
      If you sell products or services online, you will have to pay transaction fees. Fees range based on the processor you are using, but the typical range is $0.50 + 3.49% of the transition. These are normally deducted from the amount of money you receive from the customer.
    • SSL Certificate
      Every website needs an SSL, especially if you are an eCommerce site. Sometimes SSLs are included in your hosting fee, sometimes they charge you separately for them. These range from $50 to $200 a year.
    • Email Marketing
      A good website allows you to expand your email lists and growing an email list is important! This allows you to connect with current and new customers. Depending on the size of your email list and plan you choose, the cost of an email marketing platform can range from $10 to $300 per month.We recommend Constant Contact or MailChimp, but there are other platforms out there.

 

When budgeting for a website, it’s important to factor in both the upfront costs and the ongoing expenses. Be sure to plan for hosting, maintenance, SEO, and marketing, as these are long-term investments that can help ensure the success of your website.

Ready to get started with your website? Contact us today!

Written by Rae Mullet for Sitka Creations®, LLC

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