{"id":5944,"date":"2020-12-28T20:57:18","date_gmt":"2020-12-29T01:57:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ladybugz.com\/?p=5944"},"modified":"2024-03-01T12:01:02","modified_gmt":"2024-03-01T17:01:02","slug":"how-much-does-a-website-cost-in-2022-and-how-you-can-get-one-no-matter-your-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ladybugz.com\/how-much-does-a-website-cost-in-2022-and-how-you-can-get-one-no-matter-your-budget\/","title":{"rendered":"How Much Does a Website Cost? (And How You Can Get One, No Matter Your Budget)"},"content":{"rendered":"

What does a website cost and how do you determine the right budget for you?<\/strong> <\/span><\/h3>\n

You\u2019re ready to scrap your old website. The design is outdated, it\u2019s not driving traffic, and visitors leave almost as soon as they arrive. You really don\u2019t have a choice: 74<\/span>% of internet users ages 16-64 have purchased a product online (Source: SmartInsights), and most people research products or services online before making a purchasing decision. Without a strong website\u2014your brand\u2019s digital hub\u2014you don\u2019t stand a chance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Your website is your digital hub. Find out ways to build your digital brand online<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Your big question is how much will it cost. Well, that depends\u2026anywhere from near zero to hundreds of thousands of dollars. That\u2019s not a very helpful answer! So let\u2019s say that it\u2019s similar to pricing out cars, which also have a huge price range.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Knowing how much a website costs is similar to pricing out a car.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you were to ask how much a car costs, the answer would be anywhere from around $1,000 to $2 million. Again, not very helpful. However, it\u2019s not that difficult to arrive at a realistic solution and price range by following a simple process.<\/span><\/p>\n

First, to narrow it down, determine your needs, budget, and resources. For example, you might need a larger car for your commute and to accommodate your growing family. Your budget is $25,000-30,000.<\/span><\/p>\n

Next, it\u2019s time to explore the broad options when it comes to your budget:<\/span><\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. Repairing your current car ($500-$1,500)\u2014Low-cost, but won’t provide what you need\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. A reliable new sedan ($15,000-30,000+)\u2014Meets criteria in a moderate price-range\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. A lower end minivan ($30,000-40,000+)\u2014Meets needs and future-oriented, yet somewhat more costly\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. A high-end sports car ($50,000-100,000)\u2014beyond your budget and costly to maintain<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    After doing your research, you can get a rough idea of what it costs to meet your criteria. For $22,000-23,000 you can get a reliable, comfortable sedan, such as a Honda Accord. For under $30,000 you can get a basic minivan, such as a Kia Sedona. Both are currently available from reputable dealers. Now it\u2019s time to hammer out the details with a reputable dealer.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Translate the car buying process to choosing a website project in your budget.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Like vehicles, website costs vary widely\u2014but we can arrive at a reasonable idea of what it will cost to meet your needs. This time we\u2019ll use a high-end jewelry store as an example:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Determine the key criteria for your website. <\/b><\/h2>\n

    I<\/b>dentify the kind of website you need, the amount of money and resources you can invest, and your time frame. The store\u2019s marketing department wants a responsive website that strengthens its brand, highlights its merchandise, and promotes special offers. They have $15,000-25,000 to spend upfront, plus $200-400 per month for maintenance, support, and ongoing content creation. They want it completed in less than two months. Their marketing team is small, with moderate expertise.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Look broadly at the different web platforms and their cost options:\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

    There are three basic options for website creation:<\/span><\/h3>\n
      \n
    1. Web-builders\u2014lowest cost and easy to use, but limited functionality<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. WordPress (or other CMS)\u2014a mid-range cost solution with more flexibility<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. Custom-Built Site\u2014highest cost, but with the greatest possibilities aesthetically and functionally.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Let\u2019s talk more about each option:<\/b><\/p>\n

      Lowest Website Cost are Web-Builders:\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

      Web-builders can deliver professional-looking results and be managed easily\u2014but their capabilities and flexibility are somewhat limited. Wix<\/a>, Weebly<\/a>, Squarespace<\/a>, and other popular web-builders are all-in-one tools that require little technical prowess, time, or budget. For a small monthly subscription fee, you get site-building tools, web hosting, and technical support. This works for bloggers, small businesses, and some online stores that want a professional business site that\u2019s easy to start up, edit, and maintain\u2014at a low cost. However, complex sites for eCommerce or commercial web apps will need something more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      What does a Website Cost:<\/b><\/h3>\n