“Cost of a website” is not a simple question and therefore has no simple answer. This is not because there are different solutions to creating a website, but because each solution is a completely different product. Here we explain how to determine which solution is needed before comparing prices.
1. DIY platform (Wix, Squarespace, and similar)
DIY platforms, like Wix, Squarespace and other hosted website platforms, can cost very little to get up and running. Typically you will be charged on a monthly basis for your website and the basic package will include a hosted website, website template and website editing tools. The entry-level plan for a hosted DIY website in the UK can start from around £9-12 per month (on an annual subscription basis) with higher-priced plans either removing the platform’s branding from your site or unlocking the ability to take online payments through the platform, for example £17-25 per month. As you can imagine, though, the limitations of such basic plans with regards to customising your website’s design can be very frustrating to many users. But most importantly, when your site outgrows the DIY platform, transferring your content to a new, more suitable website can prove to be extremely difficult.
2. WordPress, managed or self-hosted
Most websites are developed on top of the free WordPress software and the costs depend on the hosting, the design, the required features, the number of customisations, and the additional expenses for premium themes, plugins, and external developers. The costs for a WordPress site start with a few pounds a month for a shared hosting environment, up to £30 to £80 a month or more for faster, more reliable hosting, often maintained by professionals. On top of these on-going expenses there is usually a one-off charge for designing and building the site in the first place. This charge can vary from £800 to £3,000 depending on the extent of the required work. Additionally there are costs for premium themes, for extra features provided by plugins, and for developers who can complete tasks on your behalf.
3. Ecommerce-focused platforms (Shopify and similar)
If you are creating an online store or wishing to manage sales of products or services online, then you need to consider specialist ecommerce platforms. Their ‘entry’ plans are typically priced from around £19 per month on an annual basis. On top of this basic subscription, you will likely need to pay for additional features provided as ‘apps’ in addition to purchasing premium themes for your store. Be sure to consider the cost of payment processing on every sale you make too – often under estimated when simply comparing headline prices.
4. Bespoke development
Developing a fully custom website can cost more initially than any of the other options listed above, but it allows for the greatest degree of control over how a website can function and how it can look. Once you have outgrown a template site, you need a fully bespoke development project, which will be able to use all of the features of your new site and benefit from your investment.
5. What the sticker price usually doesn’t include
What does the sticker price for a website include? Chances are there are a number of add-ons on top of the headline price that could inflate the total cost in a hurry. Things like custom domain names (after the first year they are usually free), transaction fees for online sales, premium themes, additional plugins, on-going maintenance of the website and others. A breakdown of what is included in the quoted price and what will cost more down the line should be queried prior to committing to a purchase.
6. Choosing based on what you actually need
There is a common misconception that the cheapest option will be the best for your needs. This is not always the case and a more expensive option does not always mean the best solution. For example, a simple informational site for a local service business does not need to be a bespoke development. A growing ecommerce business will not succeed in the long term on a platform that was not designed for online selling.
Please note that prices for all websites change regularly and the prices above are only a guide. Always check the current prices for any website solution on the provider’s website.