Are you putting up a small business? Or are you currently running a start-up? In this cutthroat world, a business will find it hard to survive without a website.
Unfortunately, surveys reveal that 40% of small businesses do not have a website. And even if you already have one, we know that not all websites are equal.
Some do stand out above the rest. And one of the keys to standing out is through topnotch website design.
But what is the acceptable average cost of website design for small business ventures? Continue reading below as we look closely into the matter.
Website Design: Why You Need It
To better appreciate the average cost of website design for small business ventures, we must first understand the need for website design. First, great web design will help your branding efforts. It will keep your customers from confusion.
It will also promote cohesiveness and consistency among the elements of your website.
Web design will also keep you in step with the latest changes in Google’s algorithms. It can help you come up with content that will boost your rankings on web searches.
Moreover, it will help your website become mobile responsive. Considering the consumers’ growing dependence on mobile devices, you need to ensure that your site is mobile-friendly.
Average Cost of Website Design for Small Business Ventures
To arrive at an average cost of website design for small business ventures, we must first understand the two available paths. There is the DIY route and the other is hiring a professional website design and development company.
Let’s try to break down the two options to help you make the best decision for your business.
DIY If You Have Limited Resources
First, let’s break down the cost of dealing with website design yourself. Taking the DIY route is perfect for start-ups and small businesses that are working with a tight budget.
There are, however, some raw materials that you need to secure if you opt for the DIY approach. Thankfully, they don’t cost that much compared to hiring a professional.
First, you need to secure a domain name. You can visit NameCheap.com to register your new domain. You also have the option to buy an existing one. Generally, a domain name will cost you about $10 to $12 a year.
Next, you need to find a website hosting provider. Some of the most trusted options include HostGator and BlueHost. These options will cost you around $100 annually.
But if you wish for more extensive web hosting, there are other companies like SiteGround. They will cost you a little bit more at $300 to $500 a year. Since you are only starting your business, it is best to go for the cheaper options.
Themes and Add-Ons
Next, you need to invest in some premium plugins and a website theme. Though there are several free plugins available, there are some that do not work as promised. To avoid problems, go for the premium ones that cost around $100 to $200.
The same thing goes for the website theme. If you are going to spend on your website, go for a quality theme. This will cost you around $100. Keep in mind that your theme will impact the overall aesthetics of your website.
You also need to buy some stock photos. This is important if you know little about taking high-quality photos. Photos will help turn your website into a more appealing one.
Go to BigStockPhoto.com to find some great photos that don’t break the bank. Around $50 to $100 is usually enough to get the photos you need.
When searching for photos online, avoid copy-pasting images directly from other sites. You may only do so after securing permission from your source. Otherwise, you are risking your company from a lawsuit.
Last but not least, you need to invest in education. If you are going to manage your website, you need to learn about the HTML coding language. You need to know how to use tools like Photoshop. Thankfully, there are several online courses available.
You may also check the bookstores for additional literature. Save around $200 for your education.
Hiring a Pro
Next, we break down the cost of hiring a professional website designer. This option works best for people who are busy with the other aspects of the business. This is also advisable for those who know little about websites and tech stuff.
On average, a web design company will charge you around $3,000 to $6,000. The rates will go up if you have several pages on your website. Sometimes, prices can go up to as much as $15,000 to $20,000, depending on how packed your website is.
The great thing about hiring a professional is there is a lot of room for customization. A good web designer can create a custom site layout. He will start with a template that will serve as the canvas for your website’s theme.
Thereafter, the designer can put the custom elements that will match your branding.
Also, the designer will input all the custom graphics and images. Through their latest editing software, the web design company can tweak the graphics to make them pop out even more.
Furthermore, the designer can perform custom programming. This is crucial in ensuring that all your plugins work seamlessly. Some companies offer content creation if you have nothing to put on your site just yet.
Keep in mind that the more pages, graphics, and revisions there are, the higher the rates become. But generally, a maximum of two rounds of revisions are enough for the web designer to complete the final product.
Website Design and Beyond
Now that you have an idea of the average cost of website design for small business ventures, you can now choose between the DIY route and hiring a professional. You can also manage your budget and allocate the right amount of money to other areas of your business.
When it comes to other aspects, there are lots of things to learn beyond web design. We invite you to check our other articles on digital marketing and web development. We discuss different topics that will help take your brand to the next frontier.
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