How much does a website development cost in 2024?
Websites are a key part of the business engine. 7 out of 10 businesses have websites. This number has grown compared to last year, and it seems that this trend will continue, with the number of websites increasing each year. For a business, a website is an indispensable platform for marketing, advertising, sales, customer service, and other areas. Therefore, the question of whether a business needs a website is replaced by the question of what the cost of a website is, one that meets the business's needs, generates profit, and increases brand awareness in the market. In this post, we will review what determines the cost of websites and what every website must have to be secure and accessible to users.
Website types
One of the most important steps in creating a website is clearly defining its purpose. A well-defined goal will help create an attractive and functional design, which will naturally lead to the fulfillment of your main mission – attracting as many potential customers as possible. When the goals are clear, the entire creative process becomes more focused. Now, we will discuss the main types of websites:
1. Blogs
The content of the blogs can be very diverse. Bloggers or businesses can post news or relevant information for their potential clients, as well as share tips, insights, research results, and other useful knowledge and information. The main goal of a blog is to share business or personal experience information, communicate with readers, and engage potential customers or an interested audience in the ongoing activity.
2. Landing Page
A landing page is a specially designed webpage for a marketing campaign or product launch. The main goal of such a page is to attract visitors and encourage them to take a specific action, such as registering, leaving contact information, or purchasing a product. The focus must be on one specific goal, and the provided information does not distract the visitor but leads them toward the desired business outcome.
Such pages are usually created by businesses or marketing specialists to effectively promote products, services, or other updates. The design of such websites is simple yet attention-grabbing.
3. E-shops
The main goal of online stores is to sell products or services over the internet. Such websites should focus on providing a convenient, fast, and smooth browsing experience to ensure a positive customer experience. The content of online stores typically includes products with descriptions, prices, and high-quality product images.
Additionally, an online store should have extra sections such as product ratings, personalized recommendations, customer reviews, and similar features that allow the user to explore the product in detail and make a quicker decision.
3. Business websites
Business websites are a type of website designed for companies, organizations, or individuals who want to present their activities, products, or services. The main goal of these websites is to create a solid image and provide essential information about the services offered, contact details, business achievements, and values.
Business websites typically contain key information about the company, its history, team members, services or products offered, as well as customer reviews and project examples. Such websites often feature simple navigation, a contact form, social media links, and a blog.
4. News portal
The goal of news portals is to provide readers with relevant and useful information. Information on news portals can be updated several times a day. Although the functions of news portals may vary, these websites usually feature a wide range of search capabilities and news categorized by various topics. Additionally, today's news portals often have integrated social media and a comments section, making it easy for users to share news and discuss relevant topics.
Domain and hosting
No website can exist without a domain and hosting, so let's briefly discuss the importance of these elements for websites and their approximate costs.
A domain is your website's unique name (e.g., manodomenas.lt), which helps people find your business online, much like you would search for a physical address in Google Maps. A domain gives you access to your website. However, the price can vary significantly depending on certain factors, such as the domain extension you choose, registration fees, etc. Adisoft estimated price from 15 to 50 euros a month.
With hosting, your website's files are visible on the internet. If you do not have hosting services, in simple terms, you won't have a website because it will be inaccessible to users. Good hosting ensures fast website loading speed and site stability. Adisoft hosting prices range from 20 - 500 euros per month.
What is included in the cost of website development?
Now, we will discuss the aspects that influence the cost of website development. What causes the price difference, and what decisions do you need to make to have a high-quality website that professionally represents your business?
Templates VS unique design
Template website design is a design that can be purchased online for a relatively low price (prices range from 10 to 300 euros). All the elements of this design are already arranged for you, and you only need to upload your content. In such design templates, you can easily change the color or add certain design elements according to your brand. Many template designs are created using a 'visual builder.' This way, the website design creation process is sped up, but it can slow down the website's loading speed, which can negatively affect user experience and SEO results.
Unique website design. This is a design that is created from scratch. When creating a unique design, the specific needs of the business are fully considered. All website design elements are arranged according to the client's vision. Although this process takes longer, the loading speed of a website with a unique design is significantly faster compared to a template-based option. By choosing this type of website design development, you can be completely confident that there will be no other website like yours on the internet. Your website will be distinctive and original. The first thing visitors will notice when they visit your site is its style, and if you capture their interest from the very first second, there is a good chance they will stay and read the information on the website. The cost of creating a website by professional designers in the market ranges from 2,000 to 5,000 euros.
Free VS. Professional website development
Free website-building platforms allow you to easily and independently create a website. However, if you aim to create a professional and high-quality website, this may take longer than handing the task over to a specialist. To deliver a good product to clients, you should carefully research which platform best suits your business needs and also consider the future – as your needs grow, will the website still serve effectively? Free website-building platforms can be limited in website functionality, integration with business management systems, or other specific requirements that are important to you.
Professional website development. By handing this work over to professionals, you can be confident that your website will meet all your and your business's needs. Professionals ensure that your website not only looks attractive but also provides a pleasant browsing experience for users. These websites are usually optimized for search engines, which means they rank higher in search results compared to websites created using building platforms. Such websites can easily be integrated with business management systems and other functionalities. The cost of creating these websites can go up to 15,000 euros. But everything depends on the business's needs and the desired functionality.
Content management system (CMS) integration
Sooner or later, you will want to add, modify, and manage existing content. To avoid having to contact website developers for every small change, it is recommended to install a content management system (CMS). These systems allow you to easily update text, upload new photos, or create new pages without special technical knowledge. Popular CMS platforms like WordPress provide users with convenient tools and simple administration options.
By integrating a CMS, you will have more control over your website and will be able to quickly respond to business trends by adding new information or updating existing content. The cost of a CMS is around 5,000 euros.
Website maintenance
We recommend investing in website maintenance to ensure that your site always operates smoothly. Proper website maintenance helps ensure not only technical stability but also security – regular updates protect against potential security vulnerabilities. Maintenance often involves software updates, integration of new features, bug fixes, and website performance optimization. Additionally, maintenance can include content updates, such as adding new articles, news, or products. Regular maintenance helps ensure that visitors have a pleasant browsing experience and that the website remains secure.
In today's digital world, security is especially important. Research shows that each day there are hacked 30,000 websites, and 43% of cases, small business websites are targeted. Therefore, it doesn't matter whether your website is large or small – everyone should take care of security. Website maintenance plan prices vary depending on the size of the website, with monthly maintenance costs ranging from 150 to 500 euros per month.
In conclusion
In summary, the cost of website development in 2024 depends on numerous factors – from the choice of domain and hosting, the type of website, design decisions, integrated features, and the selected ongoing maintenance. Each of these elements can impact both the appearance of the website and its effectiveness in attracting customers. Therefore, it is important not only to choose the right development method but also to ensure that the website meets your business goals and requirements, while professionally and effectively representing your business. Remember, in today's world, a website is like a business card for your company.