As a web design company we get a lot of different requests for quotes. Some clients are actually surprised by the cost of their project. So let’s look into this more in detail. What does the average Web Site cost? Let’s answer a question with a question. What is an “average” website anyway?
Average: n
1. An intermediate level or degree.
2. The usual or ordinary kind or quality.
In order to succeed online, you need more than “intermediate” or “usual or ordinary”. Also, I don’t think you would find a single business owner that would be satisfied with an “average” web site. With all our years of online experience, most want extraordinary.
You could visit 100 different developers and get 100 different price quotes based on your description. The price will vary based on the business experience and skill set of the developer, what their services include and what type of site you would like them to create for you. And, many times clients are surprised at how what they feel is a simple description, may not be as simple to implement.
Since each site owner has different desires and expectations, you can very quickly see how there can be no such thing as an “average” web site cost.
What Determines Web Site Costs?
For example:
- How many total pages do you want to have in your Web Site? Most developers charge by the page.
- How many contact forms would you like to have? The complexity of each form can determine the price.
- Do you want any special functionality or scripts that need to be integrated? If we can use an “out of the box” application or existing scripts, the costs are much less.
- Is the functionality you desire something that has to be customized to your requirements? Reinventing the wheel or customization of established applications takes time, skills and additional cost.
- How many images or photos do you want the developer to “Webolize” and integrate for your site? Quality graphic creation for the Web is a skill set in of it self in order to have visually appealing photos and graphics on your site. The number of graphics/photos will dictate the time required to integrate them into your new site.
- How much support and training will you require to run your new online operation?
Look at building a Web site like building a house. Number of bedrooms and baths, attached garage, Jacuzzi, hardwood floors or vinyl or whether you have central air or not can and will affect the final price tag of your home. The very same methodology applies to determining the cost for Web sites.
Based on our years of online experience, when potential customers are looking for the “average” cost, they are more times than not looking for the least expensive cost. What a mistake!
Now that your Web Site will be your company’s face to the world, price shopping based on average Web Site costs alone, can many times have the customer choosing a less experienced and skilled developer. The results will then have a negative impact on their online presentation and reputation.
Web development is still a fairly new industry. If you are seeking out prices for your project, you’ll find project costs will fluctuate from developer to developer. This is where it is imperative for the customer to be an educated consumer.
Clients cannot let their lack of knowledge or intimidation with technology prevent them from learning enough to be able to separate the wheat from the chaff. If they don’t make the effort to investigate their potential online partners, they may find they will not get what they assumed they were paying for. Nor will they experience the necessary ROI to grow their program.
Just as in any service business, those who are good at what they do, do not compete on price. They don’t have to because referrals keep their production schedule filled with new customers who see the value in what their skills and experience can bring to their program. The same goes for technology consulting.
To gravitate to an individual or company solely based on them being the least expensive is surely not a wise business decision when you need to trust and rely on that consultant for your business image, branding and ROI. In a day where almost everyone is a “Web designer”, the onus is on the customer to determine who in fact has the professionalism, skills, experience and expertise and more importantly the ethics and integrity to help them reach their goals.
Customers also need to understand that those very same traits come with a price tag. To think you would get an experienced professional presentation at the cost a high school student or what a beginner who dabbles in Web design software may charge is basically naive.
That said, when you choose the right partner, for all the right reasons, you should have no problem recouping your investment by experiencing a strong ROI based on their ability to guide you appropriately. When looking for a developer, you should also be seeking a long term partnership. Not a company you can hire today who can go out of business tomorrow, but a true partner that will be there to help your program grow to its full potential as technology evolves.
Your “average” web site cost should also include marketing assistance and expertise. When it comes to creating Web Sites, you literally have to think about the marketing aspect before you type a single bit or byte of code. If your developer doesn’t have this marketing expertise or the ability to assist you with your marketing strategy once your site is launched, you are starting out with a major disadvantage.
So, I guess that old adage does apply to average Web site costs. You get what you pay for.