Last updated: 11/3/2021
You know you need a website
With marketing being he most important reason to have a website, you know it can help to bring your customers closer. You’ll be just a click away, any time of the day, 365 days a year.
True, not all businesses need one, but if you’re like a lot of new owners, you probably got that advice many times. If you’re not convinced, read my post about the reasons for a business to have a website.
You may be starting your business on a lean budget and want to know how much it will cost to set up a website. Keep reading, this article is just for you and will give you an idea of the expenses.
Different costs for different sites
As you can imagine, the cost of a site depends on the type of site. In this article we take a look at different options except free, hosted websites.
Free website services usually come with many restrictions, but one big reason to stay away, is that they just make your online image look less professional.
Minimal websites
Just need a basic website? You can get one for as little as $100-200. Sounds super affordable right? Unfortunately those type of design services offer little after care support. You may have questions about making a tweak, but if your designer is not responsive, you’ll be back on YouTube trying to find a solution.
Brochure or Static websites
You can’t afford to waste time on your website, because you have better things to do! Spend a little bit more for a better-looking site with what you really need.
Brochures or static websites with or without a blog may range from $500-2000.
Fancier websites
Of course you can go all out and spend thousands if you need something fancy and have the budget for it. Websites are comparable to cars, you can get a Ford Escort or a BMW, it’s up to you.
For an eCommerce or Membership site to sell products or services, you’re looking at $1000-5000 or more.
A breakdown of the costs
The costs mentioned above, are related to your web design. Some designers may offer to host your site, but if you want full control, I highly recommend getting your own web hosting service. Here’s a list of the minimal costs for setting up your business online.
- Webhosting a service to rent space on the internet for your website. It’s where you will keep your web information online. Look for a host that offers self-hosting WordPress services (WordPress.org) at a monthly or annual fee. I’ve been using Bluehost (affiliate link) for more than 10 years, but there are other options as well. Webhosting starts at $2.95/month.
- Domain name or address where your business can be found on the internet; it’s like a street address. With Bluehost (affiliate link) you get the 1st domain free when you buy webhosting. Otherwise domain names may start at $10/year.
- Themes and plugins. While there are plenty of free themes and plugins available, you could pay for premium versions if you need more functionality and support. Prices range from $10 to $150 or more.
- Designing may cost few or zero dollars if you don’t mind learning, and investing some time to do it yourself. Go to this page if you want to know how to start your own site. If you don’t have time or interest in the DIY approach, we offer services for website creation starting at $750.
What about Maintenance?
Once your site is up and running, it will require regular maintenance to keep it safe. This could be free if you do it yourself, but again, you’ll have to spend time to learn and actually perform the updates. Fees range from $30 to $200 per month.
No interest or time? Get maintenance service or a monthly plan so you can focus on creating for your business.
Now that you know about the costs of a website, what is it gonna be? A Ford Escort or a BMW?
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