What Determines the Price of Website Development: 7 Key Factors
“How much does website development cost?” – This is one of the most common questions anyone who wants an online presence asks. Although you’ll find different offers, several standard factors determine how much money you need to invest.
Before choosing a digital agency for website development, it’s important to clearly define what you need. What type of website do you want? What functionalities should it have? What is the ultimate goal of your online presence? Each of these and similar factors impacts the final look of the site, as well as the budget. In this article, we reveal what determines the price of a website and how it works.
What Affects the Price of Website Development the Most?
Complexity and functionality primarily determine the type of site, and thus the price of its development. Simpler websites with fewer pages require less investment. A website can be a place where you present products and/or services and leave your contact information. These are informational or presentation websites of simpler design.
Websites with custom designs, as well as e-commerce stores, are more demanding to create, meaning a higher investment. Keep in mind that such websites can become your top salesperson, working 24/7, and they will almost certainly pay for themselves many times over.
Custom-designed websites give you the opportunity to guide the customer through strategically defined steps that increase the chances of a purchase. Additionally, e-commerce websites often require integrating orders and payments to make the buying process easier. So don’t let the slightly higher price of website development stop you from building it.
The platform for Website Development
The complexity and functionality of the website also determine the choice of platform. The most popular ones are: WordPress, Wix, Joomla, Webflow, etc. Some of these allow you to edit content on your own.
For websites with more complex requirements, unique designs, more categories, and subcategories, it’s preferable to use programming languages such as PHP, Javascript, etc., or to create a WordPress site “from scratch.” Such a task requires more time to build the site’s backend and front end, so the price will be higher.
WordPress Website Development: Price and Design
Although the price of a WordPress site built on ready-made templates (WP theme) is lower, consider whether this is the smart solution. You get a ready-made design where you only input your content. Although this might seem acceptable at first, such a website, apart from the content, won’t be unique to you. Most likely, you will encounter other sites using the same template.
Custom design is required when you want a unique and personal site instead of using a template. This also allows you to develop your brand, build a recognizable style, and guide customers through the purchase process as you have envisioned.
Website Development Price: Plugins
The price of website development usually doesn’t include plugins, which is another drawback of creating WordPress websites with pre-made WP themes. To have access to all plugin functionalities, you often need to install a paid, premium version. Plugins are essential because they bring a range of options and features.
With plugins, you can give customers the option to contact you via a form, schedule appointments, chat with an operator or AI bot, participate in quizzes, etc. You can also automate email campaigns and greatly simplify the process of sending emails.
SEO, Marketing, and Analytics
SEO (search engine optimization) is one of the most important elements of your website. The website is configured (optimized) according to criteria required by search engines, primarily Google. The goal is to position your website at the top of search results for specific keywords, thus attracting more visitors.
For successful marketing campaigns on Facebook, you need to install Facebook Pixel on your website. Google Analytics helps you track visitor statistics and site visits. The price of website development may vary based on basic or advanced SEO, additional requests, etc.
Content on Website Pages
An important part of SEO is the content you want to post on the pages. Today, it is not enough just to write nice text. There are standards for the quality and format of text, images, and videos.
Although some visitors may not even notice that the content isn’t written according to the latest search engine guidelines, Google won’t tolerate it. This can result in lower rankings or pages that no one reaches.
Website Development and Maintenance Costs
Hiring a developer doesn’t end with the website’s development. Regular updates, backups, and protection against viruses and hacks are necessary. There’s also the possibility of downtime, so emergency interventions are needed.
In addition to maintenance, you’ll need a service for entering text, photos, and video content. Therefore, it’s best to agree on a long-term partnership with a reliable marketing agency. This way, you will get a more affordable offer and avoid potential shifting of responsibility for mistakes that might arise when several developers have worked on the same site.
How Much Does Website Development Cost – Price and Additional Costs
No matter what type of website you create, you need to purchase hosting and a domain. The price of hosting can be adjusted to the size and needs of the site. So, you can get enough space for all the site content, including security certificates (SSL) and technical support, at an affordable price.
The cost of a domain depends primarily on its popularity and extension. Standard domain extensions include: .com, .rs, .org, .net. Mobile optimization may sometimes not be included in the price of website development. Redesigning an old website to make it modern and professional can be a larger investment than creating a new site.
How Much Does It Cost to Create a Website Ideal for Your Business?
The parameters mentioned above will give you an insight into what affects the price of website development. However, every website is unique, and a precise budget can only be defined after accurately determining each client’s needs and desires.
In short, when it comes to website development, the price depends on the client’s requirements, the knowledge and experience of the developers, and whether the agency is well-established or just starting.
If you need a redesign or WordPress site development (or Webflow), we are here to answer all your questions and doubts. Contact us today, and schedule a free consultation. Based on an analysis of your business, we will propose a website tailored to your needs and the needs of your business. With us, there are no hidden or unexpected costs. That’s why we define deadlines and the cost of website development right from the start.
