How Much Does A Website Actually Cost in 2024?

So you’re ready to take your business online? Great! But how much is it going to cost you?

Website design fees can vary drastically depending on who you hire, so it’s important to understand what goes into building a website and how to avoid overpaying.

In this article, we’ll break down the different ways to make a website, what you need in order to build one, and how much it will cost you in the end. We’ll also provide some tips on estimating the cost based on your specific goals.

Let’s get started!

Different Ways to Make a Website IN 2024

There are two main ways to build a website: you can either hire a web design company or do it yourself.

Hire a web design company

Hiring a web design company in Warrnambool is the most expensive option, but it’s also the easiest and most stress-free way to get your website up and running. Not to mention, the outcome is better than if you do it yourself (no offense). If you have the budget for it, we recommend going this route.

A web design company will take care of everything for you, from registering your domain name to designing and building your website, even hosting. They’ll also provide ongoing maintenance and support so you can focus on running your business.

Website design can be overwhelming for those without much technical expertise. Hiring a web design company means you don’t have to worry about any of that – they’ll take care of everything for you.

And let’s be honest, website designers (like us!) are doing this sort of thing every single day. We know how to build websites that not only look great, but websites that generate more leads and sales.

DIY website design

DIY website design is much cheaper but it requires more time and effort on your part. If you’re short on cash or simply want to get your hands dirty, DIYing it is the way to go.

You can find plenty of resources online to help you build a professional-looking website on your own. There are plenty of awesome DIY options available to novice web designers too. Some of the biggest players in the space include:

• Squarespace
• WIX
• Weebly
• GoDaddy
• WordPress (our favourite)

Building a website yourself will be cheaper than hiring a web design company, but it will take more time and effort on your part. But if you’re up for the challenge, there are plenty of resources available to help you DIY it.

What Do You Need to Build a Website?

No matter which route you decide to go – hiring a web design company or doing it yourself – there are three things you’ll need in order to build a website:

• Domain Name Registration
• Web Hosting
• Website Builder

We’ll go into more detail on each of these below.

Domain Name Registration

Your domain name is your website’s address on the internet. It’s what people will type into their browser to find your site. For example, our domain name is westvicweb.com.

You can register a domain name through a web design company or directly through a domain registrar like GoDaddy or CrazyDomains.

Domain names typically cost around $25/year, but sometimes web design companies will include it in their overall fee.

Web Hosting

Web hosting is what allows your website to be accessible on the internet. When you create a website, you’re actually creating a bunch of files that need to be stored somewhere. That’s what web hosting is – it’s like renting space on a server for your website files.

Website Builder

A website builder or content management system is a platform that allows you to create and design your website without having to manually write code.

Many website builders provide pre-made templates and drag-and-drop tools so you can easily build your site.

Most web design companies in Warrnambool will use one of these platforms to build your site because they’re super user-friendly. Once your website is handed over to you, you don’t require any coding knowledge to update the content on your website.

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Website IN 2024?

Now that we’ve gone over the basics of what you need to build a website, let’s talk numbers. Website design cost is one of the most common questions we get asked, and it’s tough to give a one-size-fits-all answer because every business is different.

The cost of building a website will depend on your specific needs and requirements. Do you need an online store? Are you selling products or services? Do you need to take payments? How many pages does your site need?

To give you a better idea of pricing, we’ve broken down the cost of building a website into three categories: basic websites, advanced websites, and online stores.

Cost of Building a Basic Website

A basic website is typically a static website with a few pages of content. It won’t have any fancy bells and whistles – think of it as an online version of your business card.

Basic websites are great for businesses that just need an online presence and don’t require any complex functionality.

The cost of building a basic website will depend on whether you hire a web design company or DIY it. If you’re doing it yourself, you can expect to pay around $100-$500 for the domain name and web hosting. Website builder platforms like WordPress and Wix also have free and premium plans available, so you’ll need to factor that into your budget as well.

If you decide to hire a web design company, the cost will depend on their hourly rate and the number of hours required to build the site. A basic website usually takes around 20-40 hours to build, so you can expect to pay $2000-$4000 for a simple website.

Cost of Building an Advanced Website

An advanced website is a step up from a basic website – think eCommerce stores, membership sites, or complex functionality like online bookings or payments.

Building an advanced website requires more time and effort, so you can expect to pay more if you’re hiring a web design company. The cost will also depend on the features and functionality you need.

A good rule of thumb is to budget $5000-$10,000 for an advanced website built by a web design company.

Cost of Building an Online Store

An online store is a type of advanced website that allows you to sell products or services directly to customers. If you’re planning on setting up an online store, you’ll need to factor in the cost of purchasing eCommerce software and any transaction fees.

The cost of building an online store will depend on the platform you use and the number of products you plan on selling. Shopify is a popular eCommerce platform that starts at $29/month, while BigCommerce has plans starting at $79.95/month.

If you’re selling physical products, you’ll also need to factor in the cost of shipping and inventory. For digital products, you may need to pay for additional plugins or software.

Estimating the Cost Based on Your Goals

Now that you have a better idea of the different types of websites and how much they cost, it’s time to start planning your budget. The first step is to determine your goals for the website.

Are you looking to generate leads or make sales? Do you need a website that’s informative or one that converts visitors into customers? Once you know what you want your website to do, you can start estimating how much it will cost.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• If you’re selling products or services, you’ll need an online store.
• If you’re taking payments, you’ll need a payment gateway like PayPal or Stripe.
• If you need advanced functionality, you’ll need to factor in the cost of plugins or software.

How to Avoid Overpaying for website design

Now that you have a better idea of how much it costs to build a website, it’s time to start planning your budget. Here are a few tips to help you avoid overpaying:

• Get multiple quotes from different web design companies.
• Make sure you understand what’s included in the quote.
• Ask for discounts or special offers.
• Shop around for the best deals on domain names and web hosting.
• Use a website builder platform like WordPress or Wix.

By following these tips, you can be sure you’re getting the best possible deal on your new website. And remember, the most important thing is to make sure your website meets your needs and achieves your goals. With a little planning and research, you can build a great website without breaking the bank.

If you have any questions about how much it costs to build a website, feel free to contact our Warrnambool web designers today. We’re always happy to help and offer no obligation web design quotes.