Shopping for a website shares similarities with buying a car. Whether aiming for an online presence with a modest informational site or diving into the complexities of eCommerce, understanding the average cost of website design for small business owners is crucial.
The diverse market offers various makes, models, and optional features. From luxury brands to more economical choices, the options are vast, much like the selection process for website design.
This blog post serves as your guide, steering you through the landscape of website design costs for small businesses.
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Decoding the Website Categories
Small business websites typically fall into two categories:
- Informational
- eCommerce
To establish an average cost range, generalizations are made based on the typical needs of small businesses. While quotes may vary, we aim to provide a reliable estimate that aligns with most small business website requirements.
This discussion excludes pricing for site builders or DIY platforms like WordPress.
1. Informational Websites
Informational or brochure websites primarily convey details about a business, showcasing services and assets. These websites often comprise a limited number of pages, including a home page, about, contact, and staff or testimonials.
Informational Common Features:
- Mobile-Friendly Design: Ensures accessibility across various devices.
- Contact Forms: Facilitate user engagement and inquiries.
- Testimonial Showcase: Highlights positive feedback and client experiences.
- Google Maps Integration: Provides location information for enhanced accessibility.
Average Cost of Informational Website:
One-Time Pricing: $2,000 to $3,000
- For a straightforward informational website, businesses can expect to invest between $2,000 and $3,000 as a one-time payment. This covers design and technological updates for approximately three years.
Monthly Pricing: $100 to $200 a month
- Opting for monthly payment plans may range between $100 and $200 per month. While this option appears more expensive over the site’s shelf life, it often includes a domain name, web hosting, SSL certificate, updates, designs, and bug fixes, potentially saving costs in the long run.
2. eCommerce Websites
eCommerce websites are designed for product showcasing and sales, catering to small businesses on a smaller scale than industry giants like Amazon. These websites typically have more pages, incorporating product-related sections like shop, cart, and checkout and standard pages like home, about, contact, and reviews.
eCommerce Common Features:
- Product Displays: Showcase a range of products with details.
- Shipping Connectivity: Enable seamless integration with shipping services.
- Payment Processors: Facilitate secure transactions.
- Variable Product Options: Accommodate customization based on sizing, color, etc.
- Mobile-Friendly Design: Ensures optimal viewing on diverse devices.
- Contact Form: Facilitate user inquiries.
- Google Maps Integration: Provides location or store availability information.
Average Cost of eCommerce Website:
One-Time Pricing: $4,000 to $6,000
- A straightforward eCommerce website with simple products may cost between $4,000 and $6,000 as a one-time payment. This investment covers design and technological updates for around three years.
Monthly Pricing: $150 to $300 a month
- Monthly payment options for eCommerce websites may range from $150 to $300. Despite appearing costlier over three years, these subscriptions often encompass a domain name, SSL certificate, web hosting, payment gateways, shipping portals, updates, and bug fixes.
Understanding the Price Spectrum on the Average Cost of Website Design for Small Business Owners
The diverse pricing landscape for small business websites stems from variables like customization, features, and business needs. While you may encounter quotes significantly lower or higher, the ranges provided here offer a fair and accurate estimate for most small business websites.
It’s essential to weigh web design companies’ features, portfolio, and testimonials within your comfort price range to make an informed decision for your small business.
In website design costs, a higher price doesn’t guarantee a better website, and a lower price doesn’t necessarily indicate a subpar one. The key lies in understanding your business, budget, and marketing needs to determine the fairest price range.
As you embark on this journey, research, evaluate, and choose a web design partner that aligns with your unique requirements. Your small business website is vital; invest wisely to propel your business forward.