Well, let me give you the short answer that I know you’re going to hate… it depends.

No two web solutions are exactly the same mainly because no two businesses are exactly the same.  So, rather than give you a range that is mere opinion and based on our own experience (which… I might give you at the end,) let me help you understand what we see are the four main components that help determine the cost of a web project.  With that, I’ll also tell you at least one way you can help lower the cost.  Listen and listen well and you should be able to find the right firm that can deliver the results you want at the price you’re willing to pay.

So, let’s get started…

Design

Good design costs money and a great looking website helps communicate professionalism, stability (surprising but true,) and a certain level of trust. Think of your website as where you will likely make your first impression with your prospects. Do you want to be found wearing a nicely trimmed suit or a raggedy set of jeans and a t-shirt?  A good designer will know how to build the suit, but will be more costly than the person who just delivers the jeans and t-shirt.

One way to lower cost?

Be prepared before starting the project by having a list of example websites that you like in terms of the style, layout, and overall structure. Also, be sure to have a good idea or an already solidified color palette for your designer to use.  This can help firms cut back on hours allotted for research and the design process included in their quotes, saving you some cash.

Functionality

There are two major components of a website that make up the “heart” of the website: your content and the functionality.  Functionality can be anything from content management systems, web contact forms and user accounts to social media integration, blogging capabilities and photo galleries.  However, just like buying a car, the more features you want the higher the price.

One way to lower cost?

Know what you really need before you approach a web development firm.  Oftentimes prospects begin naming their wish-list for inclusion in a quote because they have not thought in detail about what they really need.  Then sticker shock hits them when they see the cost.

By knowing what the minimum capabilities that you need are, you can start small and build big later, thus starting the project with a much lower quoted price.  Again like buying a car, if cost is a concern, know what features are your chassis, engine, wheels, and controls and start with those first.

Timeline

Building a website takes time and most firms have developing time lines down to a science.  We also know that for some of our clients, it’s just not fast enough. When you need something faster than a standard project, you can be sure that you’re going to have to pay for it.  An expedited project typically requires a higher rate applied to the pricing and that can quickly increase the price of your project.

One way to lower cost?

Plan ahead for the time required to develop your project.  In our experience, a typical web project can take a minimum of 30 business days.  To avoid your project requiring an expedited time line, plan to have that much time available before your desired launch date.  If this isn’t possible, then be prepared to potentially pay the extra cost.

Experience

I’ll be as direct as I can here. If you want the best, you will have to pay for the best.  The key to determining who the “best” is, in my opinion, is centered around what your definition of “experience” is.

Typically, we think of experience as the number of years you have been performing the service in question.  In the world of web design and development this should not be your only criteria for determining who is good and who is bad.  Focus instead on the results their completed projects generated for the served businesses.  Be sure to ask each web firm you are looking to contract with if they can give you a few examples of work they have completed and the end results it provided for the business.  Then make your judgment about their level of experience by what they have consistently delivered.

One way to lower cost?

When price becomes the primary concern, remember you can always contract with the “next best” firms.  They may not be considered “the best” to you, but they certainly good at what they do and sometimes can save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

Wrapping It All Up in a Price

So at this point you’re probably thinking, “He still hasn’t told me how much a good website should cost.”  Well, that’s true, but hopefully I’ve helped you understand some of the core elements that are taken into consideration when pricing your project.  You will be forced to make some decisions about what you want, what you expect, and what you’re willing to pay that will ultimately have a great bearing on the overall success of your website.  So be sure that you are giving yourself a large enough budget to reach the success that you desire and expect to gain from your website.

Are you ready to make the investment?

P.S. – Okay, for those of you that need a price range, let me give you a quick idea of what we’ve charged for web projects.  We’ve built websites from $1,500 up to $30,000 and they’ve all helped businesses grow (some A LOT faster than others and in more ways than just bringing in new business.)

In my opinion, be prepared to pay between $3,000 – $5,000 for a good website that generates positive results for your business.  If right now you are all excited about how you got yours for less, good for you… as long as you’re actually getting some sort of return from it!  Otherwise, you might just have a glorified digital brochure and that rarely does anything for your business.