How Much Does a Website Cost in 2021?
Let’s face it…everyone knows how important it is to have a website nowadays. A website is basically a digital business card. Since many people use the internet to find a local business, having a website is a great way to promote your services or products where potential customers are always looking.
The challenge many business owners face is understanding how much a website costs and if the cost is going to be worth it. I hope I can provide some insight into this topic as l break down the costs for a building a website in 2021.
Websites Can Be Pricey
It’s worth saying that websites can be a bit pricey depending on who you ask to build it and how you need your site to function. You can usually pay for a nice informational website from anywhere around $1000 to $4,000. Though, if you’re working with large agencies, you can expect to pay much more.
If you want to be able to sell products or service directly from your website, known as an eCommerce website, you can spend more than $8,000 on your website. The final cost for a website will depend on how much work you want done.
For a basic website that will provide your potential customers with more information about your business, you likely won’t have to break the bank. It’s important to remember that a website for small businesses is an awesome investment and something you can write off at tax time!
There ARE Affordable Options
Working with large website design agencies has its perks, but if you’re a small business, it may not be a feasible option. These companies are often booked throughout the year, have a full team of designers, and really don’t need to lower their costs. (That’s not to say they aren’t worth every penny, but sometimes it’s not the right option with where you are in your business.)
The good news is that you can still receive a quality website without having to break the bank. Hiring a freelance developer or a small website design company in your area can do the work at a price that works more with your budget. This way, you can save a lot of money without sacrificing the quality of your website.
A note on Freelancer websites:
Freelancer websites like Fiverr.com and Upwork.com have some great designers. In fact, I was on these platforms when I first started out! But be careful not to fall for the “I can build your website for $100” claim. You get what you pay for, as I’m sure you understand as a contractor. Well, the same thing goes for the web design and SEO world.
Don’t Build Your Own Website
It can be tempting to want to design your own website. As a website designer myself, I can personally say that all of the services telling people they can create a great website in a few hours (I won’t mention their names) aren’t being entirely truthful. Sure you can “technically” build a site, but that doesn’t mean it’ll function well or be user friendly.
Creating even a basic website takes a lot of hard work, time, and experience. It’s more than just slapping some words and pictures up on a page. There are statistically proven methods for how to layout a site to improve user experience and actually convert website visitors into paying customers. If you’re busy running your business, you likely won’t have the time to devote to creating your own site.
The Investment Is WORTH It
While you should save as much money as you can when hiring a professional to create your website, you should be looking at is as an investment. If you hire the right professional, you can bet that you’ll earn more money than you spent on the entire website (and then some). Especially when pairing a website with professional Search Engine Optimization (SEO) services to get that website ranked on Google and in front of more potential customers.
Don’t believe me? Just see what I did for Dean Lindsey Construction with just 3 months of SEO services!
It takes money to make money. And in today’s digital age, investing in your online presence with a stunning, easy-to-navigate website is a no-brainer.
