How Much Does A Website Cost? Why Do I Need One?
In today’s world, it’s imperative that all business have a website, a place where consumers can find you. You may be saying to yourself, yes, that goes without saying (hopefully). But if you’re not, think about it: You’re looking for a specific product which you know nothing about for a friend. So you’re digging around online and you come across two websites, with nearly indistinguishable products. One site works on your tablet or smartphone, and the other, sadly does not display too well. Which one are you going to go with?
So you’re a small business owner, and you’ve decided that you need a website. But now you’re wondering who to enlist for such a task. You don’t want to go too low and find yourself with an outdated website in a year, and you certainly don’t want to overpay. So how do you know? Below are few things to consider when it comes to website info and costs.
Is this a new website, or a redesign?
Do you need any graphics created?
Do you want to incorporate video?
Do you need a blog?
Do you already have content? Do you need content created?
Do you want to incorporate social media channels?
Do you need a ecommerce site, an online store?
All of these factors greatly effect the cost of your website. Below we will break down some key of the key aspects.
New Website, Redesign, and Updates
If your website is older than a year, It is usually best to create a new one. A redesign of fairly recent website and entirely new design would roughly cost the same amount. So why not get a brand new one, right? An update on the other hand, would cost a small business considerably less, but this is an unlikely scenario. Most small businesses are relatively new to digital marketing and, in our experience, most do not have an up to date functional website.
Mobile And Responsive Design
Mobile has caught on quickly within just a few years, and doesn’t show signs of slowing down. Desktop still remains the most popular medium to access the internet, with 91% of internet users owning a PC or laptop. Mobile, though, arrives at a close second, with 80% of users owning a smartphone. This number will only continue to grow, given that mobile has made great strides in a much shorter amount of time than PC. Some brands have capitalized on this trend, with 49% of all ad spending spent on mobile advertising in 2015. Click here for a more detailed analysis of mobile trends.
That being said, your website should also be Responsive. This means your website will automatically resize for mobile and tablet users ( you’ve been to a website where you have zoom in and out because the links are too small, right?). Responsive Design should be a priority, especially with growing mobile marketing trends.
Interface, Design, and Graphics
Interface and Design refer to look and layout of your website. Nowadays, less is better, especially when considering mobile functionality. A clunky website with too much information will likely turn off consumers. It’s best to only include essential information, something to entice your potential customers, letting them get a feel for your brand. That being said, your social media channels should function as an outlet for more extensive information.
Graphics refers to the media—such as images and video—on your website. It’s wise to include some graphics, mainly because people respond more so to images rather than text. Video is even better. If you can include a short clip that tells your story and describes your brand effectively, you’re going to stand out from the rest of the pack. According to a report, 70% of respondents claim that video performs better than any other form of content for producing conversions.
Content Creation
Content is the true substance of any website in 2015. The cost here varies highly depending on how much content the business is willing to provide. We can attest, though, that most small businesses are quite slow to provide content. If this is the case, the responsibility falls to the copywriter or designer, greatly effecting the pricing of your website. Mainly because this takes additional man hrs. We highly recommend, though, that you do not overlook content creation. As mentioned above, content is the meat of your website. With relevant content and a strong account manager, your business will grow into a defined and recognizable brand.
So How Much Does All Of This Cost?
As you’ve probably gathered, there is no flat or universal cost when it comes to a website. Website creation is mainly a case by case basis, and varies depending on specific client needs. It should be noted, though, that all our designs are responsive, and are optimized for mobile from the start. They also include basic website design and initial content creation. Anything after that, such as an online store, blogs, social media, and continued content creation will be reflected in the final pricing, which can be payed on installments. If you’re looking into social media marketing for your small business, well, you’re in luck! We can handle all of your digital marketing needs. Click here to check out some our services.
