Understanding Web Design Cost: What You Need to Know Before You Get a New Site
In todays tech fueled world, getting a website for your business is an essential investment, but actually what does a web design cost? You’ll hear from a lot of people “website design costs vary based on who you hire and what you need”. But in this blog, let’s break it down for UK businesses.
Key Factors That Influence web design cost
- Size: The prices of a simple 5-page website will be less compared to a bespoke e-commerce platform. This cost will be higher depending on the number of pages and how advanced the features are required.
- Custom Design vs Template: Sites with custom designs generally come in more expensive than those that have been created from templates. A custom site gives room for better flexibility and branding, while the use of templates is cheaper, although it has its limitations.
- Functionality: The addition of features to your website, such as booking systems, eCommerce, or membership portals, greatly increases the cost. It takes a great deal of development time.
- Responsive Design: It is imperative that your website looks perfect on all devices, and often this may have some extra costs.
- SEO & Content Creation: Sometimes, website designers will include content creation and SEO services, which can add a little more onto the cost. However it’s usually worth the investment as it ensures that your website ranks well in search engines.
- Ongoing Maintenance: Any website needs regular maintenance and support. Many website design firms will offer you a monthly maintenance package that keeps everything humming along and will factor into your budget.
Typical web design cost in the UK
Now the juicy bit, here’s what you can expect to pay for a basic brochure site or small business website in the UK:
- DIY Website Builders: £0-£50 per month. The most common choices for this method are platforms like Wix or Squarespace. However, the downside of this option is that you’re a bit limited in terms of design flexibility. Not to mention you’ve got to invest time and energy into building it yourself.
- Freelance Website Designers: £500–£3,000. Freelancers, like me, usually offer more customisation than you’d get with a do-it-yourself website but are generally more budget-friendly than larger agencies. Therefore a good middle ground for many small businesses is working with a freelancer.
- Website Design Agencies/Studios: £3,000–£10,000+. Agencies will provide a full design, development, content, and even SEO service. If you want a truly bespoke, professional job done, then this is the route for you.
Comparing the lot - DIY, Freelancers & Agencies
DIY website builders-Wix or Squarespace types
are the cheapest. Still, you will need to invest some time in studying how everything works and design choice is limited. Which is great if someone has only a minimal budget and modest needs, but far from ideal for when trying to achieve a polished, professional look.
Image Credit – Wix
Freelance Website Designers
Freelancers fall somewhere in between the two. You can have more control and a design that better fits your needs, and the additional advantage of communication. It is rather inexpensive compared to other options, though you will still have to make sure that you are employing someone who is capable of carrying out the work that you may need. A freelancer would be suitable for a small to medium business venture that requires having a customized website at an affordable cost.
Website Design Agencies/Studios:
This is more expensive but usually gives high-quality results. It gives you an agency with a full team of professionals who will take care of designing, development, SEO, writing, and updating regularly. If you need to develop some big, feature-rich website or have complex requirements, an agency might be your best choice-but that comes at a cost.
Why It Pays to Engage the Services of a Professional Website Design Company
A professional website design company, be it an individual or agency, gives you a custom and eyecatching website. They will design for your objectives, hence better performance, branding, and the user experience. While DIY is budget-friendly, you tend to lose out on the finer details that covert visitors into customers.
Conclusion
The thing with web design cost is that it’s not just about pricing. There is reliability, features, and usability. Whether DIY, freelancer, or design agency, it’s all about finding the sweet spot for your needs and budget.
For more insights on enhancing your brand’s identity and creating impactful design solutions, stay tuned to my blog or contact me directly. Let’s work together to elevate your brand to new heights!
