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How Much Does a Website Cost? Breaking Down the Costs of Bespoke WordPress Development

16 September 2024 · Website Development

As a designer and developer, I’m often asked, “How much does a website cost?” It’s a fair question, but not an easy one to answer off the cuff. The reality is that the cost of a website depends on many factors. It’s just like asking the price of a house—it depends on how many bedrooms, bathrooms and Jacuzzis you want!

It’s also about tempering expectations in web development. Sometimes you may think you need a certain feature, whereas a professional designer and developer might suggest more suitable alternatives that fit your budget.

Factors That Influence Website Cost

When pricing a website, here are the key factors that come into play:

  1. Number of Pages: More pages mean more design, content, and development work. A simple brochure site to advertise an upcoming online webinar may only need 3-5 pages, while a complex service-provider’s portfolio could require dozens, or even hundreds.
  2. Unique Designs: Are we talking about one layout shared across many pages, or does each page require a unique design? Blog posts would share a page design, whereas a Meet the Team and Previous Work page would require different designs. Bespoke design work is time-intensive, but crucial for branding and user experience.
  3. Development Complexity: Perhaps you’re looking for a basic, lightweight website, where you can update and edit text content, upload a couple images, and embed a YouTube video here or there. Alternatively, you may require a more complex site to automate internal company processes, such as ticket sales or customer onboarding, or publishing a new radio episode to stream online. The more intricate the functionalities, the longer the development time.
  4. APIs and Integrations: Need to integrate with third-party services like CRMs, payment gateways, or booking systems? The complexity of these integrations directly affects the time and cost involved. Thorough testing and refinement of these processes are crucial, as they rely on the performance of external platforms to provide extended functionality.

What You Get with My Website Projects

All of my website projects start recommended with WordPress, which is a robust, flexible, and user-friendly content management system. I don’t cut corners with off-the-shelf premium themes—every website I build is designed from scratch, bespoke to your brand and business’ needs. Rest easy knowing your website will be crafted for speed, search-optimised, and designed fully responsive, guaranteeing a seamless experience on both mobile and desktop. Plus, with Google’s preference for responsive designs, your SEO is set to benefit.

Not Just A Website; What’s Included

Building a website isn’t only about what you see on the screen. There’s also a lot of behind-the-scenes work that’s equally important:

  • Hosting: For brand new websites, you need somewhere to store your files. I ensure your website is hosted on a secure server, optimised for speed and performance.
  • Domain Name & DNS: I can also help you choose your domain name, as well as setup and manage DNS settings, so your site runs lightning fast from day one.
  • Email Setup: Need professional email addresses? I’ll help handle the setup, including SPF, DKIM, DMARC policies ensuring your communications are as polished as your new website.
  • Cloudflare Integration: I can assist with setting up Cloudflare to protect your site from spam and threats, speed up content delivery, and boost overall security.
  • Backups & Maintenance: Regular backups and ongoing maintenance are crucial for keeping your site secure and running smoothly. I’ll set up and manage this for you as an additional service, so you have peace of mind knowing your website will be in tip-top operation for years to come.

The Price Range

So, what’s the bottom line? On average, a fully bespoke, editable WordPress website that allows you to post updates, create pages, and add new images will cost around £2000 and take approximately 4 weeks to complete. However, the more complex the site, the more time and budget will be required.

A website loaded with more advanced features and API integrations to your favourite CRM, Ticket sale platform, and Email marketing tools can set you back further towards £5000 and lean into a longer development time of 10-12 weeks.

It’s a big price tag, but a worthwhile investment for your business for years to come. A well-crafted website isn’t just a digital brochure – it’s a vital part of your business strategy, helping you attract customers, generate leads, make sales and grow your brand online.

A Partner for the Long Haul

I pride myself on being an integral partner to your business and will be here every step of the way. Whether it’s the initial build, ongoing maintenance, or scaling up as your business grows, you can count on me to support your ongoing business and website’s needs.

If you’re thinking about your next website project, I’d love to help you understand what it might cost. Get in touch for free, and let’s discuss what you need so I can draw up a personalised quote for your business.

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I'm a Kent-based freelance brand designer and website developer with 15 years of experience, bringing creativity and technical expertise to clients across the UK and beyond.