The costs of building a website vary greatly depending on the type, size and specific needs of the site that needs to be built. Here's a very generalized list and range of costs for a variety of items that can be a part of building a website:
- Design - including planning, UX, visual aesthetic: $0 - $6,000+
- Programming - includes custom database, content management system [CMS], framework: $0 - $15,500+
- Content Support/Migration: $0 - $1,800+
- Client Training and/or Documentation: $0 - $1800+
- Testing and Launch: $0 - $4,800+
- Domain Name: can vary but usually about $10
- Hosting: $100 a year and up depending on the amount of traffic and server/security needs
- Plugins, Extensions, Widgets, Modules and Applications - features that enhance the quality and capabilities the website: usually a one time fee [$0 - $300] but can sometimes be an annual fee with a large range
- Website Maintenance and Upgrades: $1,100 and up per year
For a more detailed and comprehensive explanation and list of costs associated with building a website take a look at this article by the Executionists.
Comments (8)
Erika Lundlum:
Nov 11, 2015 at 05:42 PM
That seems like a pretty high estimate... most of that stuff can be done for free, even for a novice
fountainhead:
Nov 14, 2015 at 04:55 PM
Hi Erika,
If you note we gave ranges for costs of various items related to web design and development. It might be useful for you to read our previous article about Starting A Business for some added perspective. Sure, anything can be done for nothing or next to nothing, but that does not mean that it will work well, look good or function properly, let alone be tailored specifically to your business needs.
Thanks for your comment,
rsdesign
lucy tyler:
Jan 29, 2016 at 10:58 AM
I must say I do agree with Erika, the cost you noted up their can scare someone who knows nothing about websites or blogs and the totaly of everything may not be up to $1,000 even with a custom design.
fountainhead:
Jan 29, 2016 at 06:23 PM
Hi Lucy,
We certainly understand your perspective, but as we responded to Erika's statement we stated those costs in ranges and highly recommend you read our article on Starting A Business to give added perspective.
Thanks for your comment,
RS Design
Smithe957:
Sep 07, 2016 at 12:43 PM
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Erica:
Mar 27, 2017 at 05:32 AM
When I say "I want to build a house" this does not give an unambiguous answer, I need a palace or a booth for a dog.
fountainhead:
Mar 27, 2017 at 09:15 AM
Hi Erica,
This is true and both of those answers have very different costs associated with them. In addition, how fancy, unique or complicated a house you want also affects the cost to build what you want.
Thanks for your post,
RS Design
AJ ONeal:
Sep 21, 2019 at 09:15 PM
As a professional web developer, I agree with aspects of both arguments.
If you want to scrape from the bottom of the barrel, you can outsource a site for very cheap. You'll license a popular design used by between a few hundred and tens of thousands of other sites, and you'll get mediocre performance and mediocre support. This is actually the best route for many people just starting out.
I also know of people who have paid $30k, and ended up with not much better than just that.
However, I would say that, on average, for a small to medium sized business for which their ONLINE PRESENCE IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THEIR BUSINESS , Rachel is giving very realistic estimates.
NOTE that many businesses are NOT this type of business - they just use the website to show a phone number and hours of operation, and their professionalism is NOT judged by the quality of their site.
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