The Real Cost Of A Good Website
January 24, 2022
(and why it’s worth every cent).
It’s 2022. And while we have a lot to contest in the world, there is one thing we can all agree on:
Your business needs a website. And a good one at that.
A solid robust website offers credibility, safety and promotion (Online marketing). It’s your best salesperson. It’s survival (ooh).
When 75% of people base credibility on a website (Social Media Today), skipping your brand’s website isn’t an option.
In other words, yes. It’s worth the investment.
You know that old saying “You get what you pay for”?
A cheap initial quote might be enough to give you a buzz of excitement, especially when it’s less than you expected when you set out on this costly venture. But that buzz will soon wear off when you realise that those cut corners were crucial to the quick-to-load and easy-to-use website you had dreamt up.
It probably sounded too good to be true for a reason.
So (smarty), what is a good website?
It’s simple, really. A good website is fast, mobile friendly, mobile optimised, easy to use, integrated and brimming with quality SEO optimised content (to name just a few of the sexy features you will be splashing your hard-earned cash on).
Is it worth it?
Is the sky blue?
But just what am I paying for?
Let’s break it down…
Functionality
First and foremost, it must work.
While endlessly trawling the internet for information like WHY WEBSITES ARE SO EXPENSIVE, you may have been tempted to “Build your own FREE HTML website today”.
But will your Basic Betty HTML website be enough? Or is the siren’s call – all singing, all dancing, and lights a’flashing?
If you don’t go the DIY route (probably for the best), keep expectations realistic.
While building in interactive features takes website designers and web developers more time, the extra investment results in an integrated, bespoke website with, and here’s the kicker, increased security. Extra features, extra security? Expect a heartier investment.
And functionality, including page loading speed, is vital to keeping potential customers on your page.
Why? Because slow page loading speeds equals more bounces:
The probability of bounce increases 32% as page load time goes from 1 second to 3 seconds. (Google, 2017)
But before you ask for all the bells and whistles, it’s important you know the type of website you need.
A one-page wonder is going to be more wallet friendly than a multi-page brochure website but Google will penalise you for high drop-off rates because visitors only have one page to view and nowhere else to click through (this affects your rankings drastically), and a web application or an e-commerce website will have insanely impressive functionality – reflected in the price tag.
So keep in mind, not all websites are made equally. Ergo, costs will vary. (Yes, we said ‘‘ergo’’.)
Design
If you plan to pick a ready-made template over a custom design you’ll save time and a bit of dough. But if you want to build something that truly reflects your business, it might be worth shelling out the extra cash to ensure you don’t end up with uncharacteristic foliage green in lieu of on-brand pistachio mint splashed across your new website.
And consistent branding in your design pays off.
Did you know that 59% of people prefer a beautifully designed website? (Social Media Today)
User experience
Now, if your website is going to feature a simple single holding page, then having all of the relevant info at a glance is vital.
On the other hand, if you’re going for an eye-catching interactive experience then consider your timeline. It will take a lot longer to build a seamless user experience, which will in turn make it more expensive.
Remember, 86% of visitors want information about products and services. (Social Media Today)
So, make sure it’s available and visible!
Domain/Hosting
They go together like a famous double act. A domain will normally have a registration cost and then an annual renewal charge, while hosting is an ongoing expense (Also renewed annually). The type of website you have will determine which hosting service to choose.
Either way, you will need to purchase both in order for your wonderful website to go live in the first place.
Maintenance
Just like your exercise regime, skin-care routine, grass cutting and pet grooming, your website requires maintenance.
Don’t forget to budget for this – along with everything else!
Build it and they will come.
It all adds up. But you can’t have one without the other. Or you could. And the result would be subpar…to put it mildly.
So ask yourself this: If I invested in all of the above and my website did all the fancy tricks in the book (and did them well), would the cost be worth it?
Is the sky blue?