How much does a website *really* cost???
Here’s what you can expect to pay for a website in 2024.
Ever felt that sting of surprise when an unexpected bill arrives, or come to find out something you invested in cost more than expected?
This kiiiiiinda (exactly) happens with websites. I’ve seen it mentioned time and time again in my Facebook groups
>>> You may want to DIY it and expect to pay a monthly subscription. Then find out you need some legal jargon on there that costs money.
>>> Or you splurge and hire a web designer, only to find out most don’t write the actual words as well (psst…this girl does!)
>>> Add in a domain, hosting, plug ins, SEO expertise, branding, expand into email newsletters…. the list can get super long and overwhelming.
As entrepreneurs, we're no strangers to budgeting for our business. But when it comes to website ownership, the list of possible expenses can get super long and overwhelming. If websites isn’t your main gig, you probably don’t know what costs are absolutely necessary, which ones you can put off, and which ones you can totally skip.
Hint: you’re probably paying for some things you don’t need, and need to pay for some things you aren’t.
In this post, I’m shedding light on the often-overlooked costs that come with having a website. Keep scrolling for a breakdown of where your money should go. From domain names to legalities, I’ve gotcha covered.
In this post, I’m shedding light on the often-overlooked costs that come with having a website.
“What exactly do I need to pay for?”
^^^something I hear on nearly every discovery call. Here’s what you need to know 👇🏼
What you can expect to pay for a website in 2024
I have this blog post broken down into 3 sections:
Definite Expenses: The bare minimum you must have in order for your website to function.
Possible Expenses: This list is dependent on where you choose to build and what’s included (or not) in your subscription.
Next Level Expenses: The ‘nice to have’ list of upgrades that would set your website apart. This is entirely dependent on your budget. If you can swing any of these, it would significantly enhance your online presence.
Optional Expenses: I think of this as an add-on list. The peanut butter to your site jelly.
Definite Expenses
These are the expenses you must have in order for your website to work. These are items that will cost you money regardless of whether you’re a DIYer, or outsource any part of your website.
A domain
Your website absolutely must have a URL address. A quick check on a search engine will show you many places you can purchase your domain from. If you use Squarespace, they make it super easy and you can purchase it right from your account. Some website builders will include a free domain for the first year.
Most domain cost about $20 a year, but it could be less or way, way more. There is an actual resale market for popular domains!
*Pro tip #1: If you find something you like, go ahead and snatch it up before someone else does
*Pro tip #2: Make sure your preferred URL is available when you decide on a business name. (#askmehowIknow)
website subscription / hosting
Website hosting is basically renting an online space for your website to live. Depending on the web builder your choose, this may or may not be something you have to pay for. Web hosting is extra for wordpress.org, but is included with Squarespace, Wix, Wordpress.com, GoDaddy and others.
With WordPress.org, you download the WordPress software and host it on your own server or through a third-party hosting provider. In this case, you would need to pay for hosting separately from a provider like Bluehost, SiteGround, or others. While the WordPress software itself is free, you'll be responsible for managing your hosting, including backups, security, and updates.
legal contracts
I’m not an attorney, so this should not be considered legal advice. And you definitely need to check with the legal requirements of your location. But where I am (and for most of the US), we are required to have a Privacy Policy, a Terms & Conditions and a Cookie Policy on our website. These tell users what information is tracked and how it’s used.
Privacy Policy: This tells visitors how the website collects, uses, and protects their personal information. It's like saying, "Hey, we promise to keep your secrets safe and not share them with anyone unless we really have to."
Terms and Conditions: These are the general rules for using the website. They cover things like who owns the content on the site, what you're allowed to do with it, and what happens if you break the rules. It's like setting boundaries to make sure everyone plays fair.
Cookie Policy: Cookies are tiny bits of data that websites store on your computer to remember things about you, like your preferences or what you put in your shopping cart. The cookie policy tells you what cookies the website uses and why. It's like telling you, "Hey, we're putting a little note on your computer so we can remember you next time you visit."
Possible Expenses
I made a category for possible expenses because these charges may be required depending on where you’re bulding your website. If you use Squarespace, web hosting and your SSL certificate is included.
SSL certificate
Secure Sockets Layer is what gives you the S in HTTPS. This is what makes your website secure to accept online payments, collect email address, etc. It definitely is a must, but you may not have to pay for it.
If you use website builders like Squarespace, it’s included with your subscription. Some domain hosting providers may bundle it with their costs. Otherwise, you can expect to pay around $60 a year.
plug ins
If you’re using Wordpress and need specific plug ins for functionality, you’ll need to pay for those.
ongoing maintenance
You might want to keep a web designer on standby in case you ever need to make tweaks or edits to your site. This could happen from a change in branding or offers. Or someone to run analytics for you or perhaps post or even write blog posts. This would be normal ongoing work that you don’t want to do or don’t have time to figure out. (For an example of what this would look like, check out my maintenance offer HERE.)
Another possible maintenance cost would be if you use Wordpress. This would pretty much be required just to keep your site functioning.
CRM and/or scheduling tool
This could actually fit into several categories, because it really depends on your business and what functionality you require. I work with many service-based industries, and can tell you that Honeybook and Dubsado are the most popular. As a Certified Dubsado Specialist, I definitely have my opinions on that.
If your business requires scheduling appointments and you’re using Squarespace, you have 2 options: 1) Squarespace scheduling, which is an additional monthly charge, or 2) integrating with the CRM of your choice. I use Dubsado for my CRM, and one of the features it comes with is a scheduler. See it in action HERE.
Next Level Expenses
None of these are crucial to the fate of your website. But outsourcing any or all of these areas to a professional will significantly impact your online presence and help you stand out from your competition.
website designer
If designing your website isn’t a task you feel like you can take on, then you can expect to pay $1k-$7k for a website. The pricing difference would depend on how many pages, how experienced the designer is, and what features you need included. A good website designer will spend time talking with you about your business and website goals, and work out strategy and functionality of your site.
website copywriter
Most website designers don’t also write the copy(words) for your site. (I do though! The price is included on all of my website packages). They either expect you to provide it, or to hire someone else to do that. If you’re in this position, I have a free website workbook that can help you with content. Expect to pay about the same for a good copywriter as you would for a web designer.
branding
Having professional branding is so important for your business. This is more than just fonts & colors. It’s a vibe. Its the way you make people feel. It’s your tone and the words you choose (or don’t choose). It lays the foundation for your copy and your design. It’s the cohesiveness of your images. It’s what ties your entire look and feel together.
Most people don’t start their websites with professional branding, but us web designers sure love it when they do! It really can make or break a website. It’s not a MUST, but it’s incredibly helpful. I highly recommend this being one of the first investments you make in your business.
SEO
SEO= Search Engine Optimization. It’s when someone types words into a search engine and Google plays matchmaker to what websites have what they’re looking for. If you’re not familiar with SEO, and how to use it on your website, a course or an expert is worth the investment.
Optional Expenses (but highly recommended)
email hosting
Purchasing a professional email address should honestly be moved to the definite category because the benefits so worth the cost, but I left it down here because technically, it’s not necessary to have a website with one. There are many places where you can purchase a professional email address. I use Google Workspace, which is currently $6/month and also comes with Google Meet (which could eliminate a video hosting expense if that’s part of your business)
If you have any plans to start an email newsletter, it’s required by the email rulers (Google, Yahoo, AOL, etc) that you have a professional email address, and it’s also a huge pain to move everything over if you start running a business without it. It might seem seamless to go from @gmail.com to @yourdomain.com, but it’s not.
email newsletter
Most email service providers offer free plans, so this isn’t really much of an expense to start out with. It’s more of a time & commitment thing to add to your plate than a money thing.
I highly recommend growing an email list and sending out a weekly newsletter as soon as possible. I have used nearly all of the popular ones, and have a few opinions on which one is best. I’m currently using ConvertKit << affiliate link gives you a free trial of a paid plan.
If you’re new to list building, HERE is a blog post on how to get started and click HERE if you want to learn how to start your list with a freebie.
Alright I think that’s about it! These are some of the crucial expenses to consider when setting up a website. The actual costs will vary depending on factors like the complexity of your site, your technical skills, and your marketing and growth strategies.
Need more help?
>>> Ready to DIY your website? Tips to make it look professionally designed
>>> Not sure what to write on your website? Free Content Workbook
>>> Want me to design & write your site? It’d be an honor. Schedule a kick-off call
Want to get another set of eyeballs to help get in your customer’s head to write your FAQ’s?
Sometimes you’re in too deep to see the page clearly. I have a free self-audit checklist AND I also will do an audit FOR you - pick your poison below 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼
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1 | Settings & Client processes
2 | Packages & Discounts
3 | Forms
4 | Emails
5 | Schedulers
Here’s what else you’ll get:
🎥 Video tour
🛠 Order of operations - building sections in the wrong order can make things much harder!
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Best for those who…. are pretty tech-savvy and need someone to grab them by the shoulders and point them in the right direction.
Investment : freeMegan is a digital organizer for home-based, creative business owners who want running a business to be easier.
She’s part of the first-ever cohort of Certified Dubsado Specialists and has maintained currency through rigorous yearly processes
When Megan isn’t working, she’s probably downing her 4th cup of coffee while rushing to get any of her 5 kids to practice on time, searching Pinterest for meal inspiration, or daydreaming about the next Disney trip.
Did you know Dubsado is free for your first the 3 clients?
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