How Much Should a Web Site Cost?

Determining how much a web site should cost is one of the most frequently asked but rarely answered questions in the web design world. Even now, with millions of web sites online, there exists no magic formula for calculating either the cost of a new web site or the cost of a redesign.

Based upon client surveys and our team's research, the data demonstrates a significant decrease in the base cost of a web site over the last decade. We believe that the reason for this drop in web site cost is driven by two factors. First, there exist substantially more competitors in the web design market today, perhaps as many as ten times more than a decade ago. Second, modern tools have made it easier for Web designers to create great looking web sites.

In other words, as web sites become standard for all businesses, the competition grows to produce higher-quality, low-cost Web designs. By the same token, with more Internet competition, a company now needs to work harder to differentiate its web site from those of its competitors. Often this involves adding better content, Flash designs, online videos, and interactive applications.

Web Site Components and Costs

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 Registration = $12 / yr

• Hosting = $75 to $200 a year (depending on traffic & website features)

• Web design and graphics development time = 30 to 150 hours (based on our experience for a 15 page Website)

• Web site Maintenance = $300 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: 2/3 weeks to 8 weeks

• Web site cost range: $500 to $1500

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: 40 to 90 days

• Web site cost range: $1500 to $3500

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: $3000 to $5000

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: $3,000 to $8,000

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.