So Why Does A Website Cost What It Does?

Most professionals who work in a service-based business have grown accustomed to this line of questioning:

How Much and Why?

And we get it; "how much will it cost?" and "why does it cost that much?" are perfectly reasonable questions to ask considering the answer will always vary, especially when it comes to the price of your website. 

You need to know what it is you are buying. We've learned over the years that clear communication is essential to providing clients with the best possible experience and end-product. We try to be as upfront as possible when pricing our projects to ensure that both sides are on the same page with what is to be expected and what is to be provided. 

But no designer is going to be able to pull a flat number out of thin air to answer those questions without first needing a lot more information. 

It Really Does Depend

Websites range from project to project. This is something that we, as creatives, enjoy about this line of work. We like that no project is the same, that we are challenged to work outside the bounds with each new client and the audience they are trying to attract. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, and don't let any designer tell you differently!

Asking how much it costs for a basic website is like asking how much it will cost for basic transportation or basic housing. Are you looking for bootstrap HTML? A blog running on Wordpress? A small e-commerce store? A simple landing page? These would all be quoted differently, and even the range within those specific types can be quite large. Instead of asking how much it costs for a basic website, a better question would be: How much would a website like (example) cost to get built? 

Other questions you'll have to consider are: What kind of functionality does your website need? How many pages will it have? Do you need a lot of stock photos that we will have to purchase or custom graphics we will need to design? Do you already have branding in place? Do you need product photography or company headshots? Will you need us to write new copy or update your current copy? 

Complex sites that require heavy CMS customization with new functionality are going to cost significantly more than simple brochure sites. The range of solutions is wide but it varies with budget constraints. 

Time + Resources + Team = Beautiful Website

Simply put: websites take a lot of time to plan, code, refine, and test. There are a lot of factors at play and people involved, all things that we include in our estimates. Our designers build the PSDs, our developers build the website, our writers build the content, and so on and so forth. While we don't charge directly for the administrative support, we build that cost into our hourly fee.

Collaboration is the Name Of The Game

When it comes to big projects at 3 Waves, we are an "all hands on deck" team. We've found that tightly weaving all of our efforts allows us to operate more efficiently and keep projects running smoothly. This means that when you hire us to build your website, you get our designers, developers, copywriters, and SEO specialists who are in constant communication, as well as a project coordinator who is dedicated to keeping us on track and you informed every step of the way.

Don't Look At It As A Necessary Evil

You should think of your website the same way you would a brick and mortar shop. It offers potential buyers everything they need to know about your business, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is the hub of your business. It is how people find you. It is your most valuable asset. And FIRST. IMPRESSIONS. DO. MATTER.

If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur" - Red Adair

Everyone wants a website with highly interactive functionality, responsive design, tailored customer experiences, and all the bells and whistles. Ultimately, it's going to come down to your budget constraints and how much you value the business that your new site will generate. 

So What's Our Process For Pricing Out A Website?

First, we explain all of the above variables so that you understand what factors are at play. Then, we proceed to the discovery process and work up a ball park estimate based on your wants and needs. Eventually, we give you a solid proposal that will outline everything with exact figures, based on our discovery and your budget constraints. This will include:

What Does This Mean For Your Wallet?

It means that while your website will be an investment, you should be focusing on the quality of what you're paying for over the quantity. We aren't just offering front-end and back-end design; we're offering a true customer-centered experience that will enable you to be a real leader in your field. Whether you have a local business or one that operates entirely online, a great website is the cost of doing business if you want to be successful. 

Have more questions? Ready to get started? 

Give us a holler or fill out our project planner to kick start your new website today!