How Much Should a Web Site Cost?
With a historical perspective in place, it is important to examine each of the components that go into determining how much a web site should cost. On average, the following figures can be applied to estimating the cost of a web site:
- Domain Name
Cost:
$10/year
- Hosting
$75 to $200 a year (depending on traffic & website features)
- Web design and graphics development time
60 to 150 hours (based on our experience for a 15 page Website)
- Web site Maintenance
$500 to $1250 a year (depending on number of updates required)
To completely answer the question "How much should a web site cost" it is also useful to review specific web design and web site development projects.
Informational or Small Business Web Site Cost:
- 8 to 16 Web pages
- Custom graphics
- Stock photos
- Little or no flash
- Web forms sending to email accounts
Project duration: 30 to 75 days (not assuming a consistent 8 hour a day)
Web site cost range: $2,000 to $6,000
Corporate (100 or more employees) Web Site Cost:
- 25 to 75 Web pages
- Heavy use of flash
- High quality design work on all Web pages
- Content management system
- Extra components: Intranet, calendars, web site search
Project duration: 60 to 90 days
Web site cost range: $10,000 to $25,000
Ecommerce Web Site Cost:
- 100 to 1000 products
- Shopping cart
- Payment gateway integration
- Product descriptions and images
- Sales tax and shipping calculation
- Customer and administrative control panel
Project duration: 60 to 120 days
Web site cost range: $5,000 to $15,000
Database Driven Web Site or Web Application:
- Dynamic Web pages 20 to 2,000
- Administrative control panel for web site management
- Advanced programming skill sets required
- Interactivity with web site visitor
- Enterprise database (MS SQL Server or MySQL)
Project duration: 90 to 180 days
Web site cost range: $6,000 to $35,000
How Much Should a Web Site Cost? Our Findings
In conclusion, the cost of a web site can vary greatly depending upon the site's features, needed Internet marketing services, aesthetic qualities, and the design firm, advertising agency, or freelancer creating the Web design. While the cost of a basic web site has dropped, the need for more interactivity has helped hold steady the price of a high-end, competitive Web design.
If you are considering a new or upgraded web site, the Bunker8 team recommends that you view the portfolios of several Web design firms and inquire, "How much should my web site cost?". Starting first with our own free website cost project quote form.