Regardless of the industry you’re in, or whether you operate online or offline, having a well designed and optimized website in 2020 is crucial. But how much does a website typically cost? As of this year, the average cost of launching and developing a website for a small business costs between $2,000-$9,000. I know what you’re thinking, that’s a lot, right? I’m a firm believer that a quality website shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg.
Every business should be able to own a professional website that they’re proud to show off. Unfortunately, the pricing models of most marketing agencies make owning this kind of website difficult.
I began learning website design and development for that very reason. I knew I needed a website, but the pricing from freelancers and marketing agencies was so far out of my budget. So, I took it upon myself to start building websites with the intent of eventually providing an affordable website design package for small businesses that doesn’t break the bank.
Of course, pricing will vary depending on exactly what and how much your business needs. But I can promise that my pricing is a fraction of what you’ll find elsewhere, and the quality I provide is on par with the big agencies. Browse one of my designs below for a local law firm website that cost a total of $650 for the client.
What Tools Do You Need to Build a Website?
There are a handful of variable costs and monthly costs that factor into building a website. Along with the obvious website design, there are also costs for purchasing a domain name, website hosting fees, SSL certificate, eCommerce functionality, and much more.
Marketing agencies expect small business owners not fully to understand these factors, and that’s how they get you. Overcharging and suggesting premium yet unnecessary features to a website can quickly run up your bill.
No matter what type of website you’re interested in creating, you’ll definitely need these four tools:
- Domain Name (e.g. turnerdigitalsolutions.com)
- Web Hosting (Host Gator, GoDaddy, SiteGround, etc.)
- Website Builder (WordPress, Shopify, etc.)
- SSL Certificate (Website security and privacy)
Domain Name
Purchasing your domain name typically costs between $0.95-$12. Web hosting companies like Host Gator and SiteGround offer new domain names for sale while registering for hosting services.
A unique domain name establishes credibility and authority for your website. Visitors and potential customers associate your website with the quality of your product or service. Choose your domain name wisely!
Website Hosting
Website hosting averages anywhere between $24-$24,000/year. I get it, that’s a big gap. But if you’re a smaller business, looking to host only one site, then you’re hosting will cost less than $200/year. For perspective, my hosting fees for turnerdigitalsolutions.com costs only $2.95/month. Not bad, right?
SSL Certificate
A Secure Sockets Layer or SSL costs between $0-$1500/year. An SSL certificate protects your business, and it’s visitors by protecting the transfer of sensitive data, like credit card information during an online transaction. Once obtaining an SSL for your website, you’ll see your site’s domain change from “http” to “https.” Again, for reference, the SSL certificate for my website costs only $10/year.
Let’s Get to Work
If you’re looking for a professionally designed website at a fraction of the cost, let’s talk. I’d be more than happy to explain everything you need to know about the process as well as giving a ballpark price for the completion of your site.
![Top Google My Business (GMB) Ranking Factors [2021]](https://turnerdigitalsolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Untitled-design-2021-10-12T220246.623.png)
