How Much Should a Website Cost for a Small Business

1. How Much Should a Website Cost for a Small Business? In a digital age, having an online presence is no longer a choice - it’s a NEED! A good website helps create brand awareness and attracts potential customers, serving as a long-term investment that builds credibility. A recent Deloitte study revealed that small businesses connected digitally experienced a fourfold increase in revenue growth compared to the previous year. Being "digitally connected" goes beyond using technology in daily operations; it involves leveraging digital tools like websites, social media, and email marketing to reach your target audience. Despite these benefits, some small business owners may hesitate to create a website due to associated costs. Determining the expenses involved can be tricky due to various factors. Factors Affecting Small Business Website Expenses Domain Name ($0.95 – $12 / domain) Think of your domain name as your online address, like Apple's apple.com. It’s as important as a maintenance plan for website (more on that later). Usually, you'll get a domain matching your business name. The cost typically ranges from $0.95 to $12 per domain. Popular places to buy include GoDaddy, HostGator, and Dreamhost. If your preferred domain isn't available, you might need to explore other options, though this could be pricier. Website Hosting ($24 – $120 / year) Your website hosting is like your online power source, necessary to light up your digital storefront. Web hosting companies power your site and make it accessible on the Internet. Website hosting prices vary from $24 to $24,000 per year. Small businesses usually experience

2. lower costs, especially with shared hosting, which goes from $24 to $120 per year. Shared hosting involves sharing a server with multiple websites, making it a more affordable option. While shared hosting may have limited resources, it often suffices for small sites. If your needs grow, such as you want a faster site, you can upgrade your plan. You can even add proper monthly website management to it. SSL Certificate ($0 – $1500 / year) An SSL certificate shields your website and its visitors' data. While optional, most businesses view it as essential. It acts as a trust signal, encouraging users to engage with your site. SSL certificates also safeguard customer data from hackers, preserving your business and brand. Sometimes, your web hosting company includes a free SSL certificate with your subscription and maintenance plan for website. Depending on your requirements, you might choose to purchase one, costing up to $1500 per year to secure everything. Design ($2000 – $15,000) Different companies have different preferences – some may prefer a simple outlook, while others may want a more suave layout that demands more time from designers. You will likely need various designs or templates for different pages, such as the homepage, product or service page, and contact page. This is why website design costs can range from $2000 to $15,000. However, most small businesses won't incur expenses up to $15,000 for design. When consulting with web design agencies, inquire about their design costs. Ask for examples of both high-end and basic designs to help you establish a practical budget for your business.

3. Number of Pages ($1000 – $5000) Websites come in various sizes. An e-commerce store might have over 100 pages, while a service-based company might have fewer than 10. From a web design and development standpoint, creating and building these pages takes time, even if they share some layout elements. For instance, an e-commerce store may have 50 product pages, all using the same design template. Yet, you need to add images, videos, and content to these pages, and perform testing. These tasks require time, contributing to the higher costs for websites with more pages. Page costs are between from $1000 to $5000 for sites with 1 to 50 pages, which is the average page count for small business websites. Most web design agencies price pages in tiers, like 1 to 10 pages or 10 to 20 pages. So, if your business needs 8 pages, you would fall into the 1- to 10- page category and pay the corresponding rate. Functionality ($2000 – $25,000) If your company intends to accept online payments or orders, factor in functionality costs in your small business's web design budget. Web design costs for functionality features vary from $2000 to $25,000. As a smaller business, your functionality expenses are likely to lean towards the lower end. Smaller websites typically don't need the complex payment systems of larger platforms like Amazon. For an accurate estimate of your small business website design costs, consult with a professional web design company, such as Total Web Company, to determine the most suitable e-commerce functionality for your site and business. CMS ($2000 – $25,000) A CMS, like WordPress, is a valuable tool.

4. For clarity, it allows your business to create, manage, and update website content without coding knowledge. This is similar to working in a word processing program like Microsoft Word. With a CMS, your company can effortlessly edit and update your website. For example, changing service or product pricing can be done easily by logging into your CMS without needing to contact your developer. The investment mostly depends on your preferred CMS and the level of customization. If your design and development team dedicates more time to customize your CMS, the cost is likely to be higher. Maintenance Plans for Website (Small Business) In addition to the initial expenses, don’t forget the ongoing website upkeep services costs. This maintenance plan for website includes recurring fees for services like: ●Hosting: Hosting renewal prices range between $2-80/month, depending on the subscription length and plan. Longer subscription periods often come with lower monthly charges. ●Domain Name: Domains need renewal after a specific period, usually costing around $10-129/year, depending on the Top-Level Domain (TLD). ●SSL Certificate: While some hosting providers offer free unlimited SSL certificates, the renewal price for a paid certificate is usually similar to the initial purchase cost, differing by SSL type. ●Plugins: Renewal prices for CMS plugins can fall between $4-49/month. Some premium plugins operate on a one-time purchase without the need for renewal. ●Email Service: For a custom business email address, an email hosting service is necessary. On average, it costs $1-6/user/month, but it might be included for free in your web hosting plan, as seen with Hostinger. Note that monthly website maintenance costs also rely on your website's platform. For instance, builder-based websites generally don't have separate hosting subscription fees.

5. Additionally, consider tasks like security audits, optimizing website performance, updating plugins, and backing up site files. You can handle these tasks independently or hire a professional, with costs ranging from $200 to $4,500/month. Wrapping It All Up Creating a website for a small business can range from $2.99/month to several thousand dollars. The cost is determined by factors like the development method, website complexity, and required features. Using a CMS or builder platform allows you to develop a website for about $2.99-132.99. On the other hand, professionally built custom websites can be around $10,000 To make sure you get your money’s worth contact Total Web Company and let us handle the task for you.