How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Web Designer?
The short answer is: it varies. Web design requires a lot of time and effort, especially if you want your website to stand out among the millions of competitors.
Different things will affect the overall cost of website design, including:
- Page count
- Project length
- Website complexity
- Additional features
- E-commerce functionality
In addition, different web designers may charge different rates. If you just need a basic website, a less experienced designer can probably build what you need for a lower price point. However, if you need a complex website with advanced functionality, hire an experienced designer. Otherwise, you risk spending more time, effort, and money fixing issues that may arise in the future.
When thinking about hiring a web designer to build your website, here are some of the main things to consider.
How Large Will Your Site Be?
The larger the site, the more a web designer will charge.
How many pages does your website require? According to 99designs, a simple landing page might only cost $500, but a fully-featured website with a blog and e-commerce section can cost $5000 or more. In addition, many web designers charge between $75-$300 per hour extra for developing additional features, so make sure to factor this into your pricing as well. Also, think about the most efficient way to structure your site. Since each additional page increases the total amount of work, it bumps up the final cost.
Is It Complex?
Simply put, greater complexity equals greater costs.
If you need a complex website, it will require significantly more time and budget to set up. For example, do you require different access levels, complex database integrations, subscription management tools, or other special features? If so, then a website designer will charge more for their services.
The cost for designing and building a complex website averages around $5000 for a quality product. Setup, maintenance, and training are additional costs, so be sure to consider your website’s complexity before setting your budget.
Will You Need to Be Able to Add Products Yourself?
If you want to save money, you’ll need to learn how to run a basic e-commerce shop.
Depending on your type of business, you may need regular shop maintenance. For example, an online craft beer seller will need to constantly upload new products, adjust inventory, and manage descriptions. However, suppose you’re a consultant offering set services. In that case, you can set up your online packages once and not worry about constant upkeep.
According to Website Builder Expert, professional help for managing a WordPress site can cost anywhere between $100-$300 per hour. This is an addition to the $35-$780 upfront setup cost. So, if you have any technical savvy, you should learn from the professional and take it from there.
Will You Need Products Added at All?
Adding products increases complexity and costs.
Running an e-commerce portion of your website adds a layer of complexity that may cost a lot more money to set up. While you can subscribe to an e-commerce platform like Shopify that takes care of most of the backend processes for you, it may not have the level of customization you need for your particular business.
E-commerce plans on subscription website builders like Wix, Squarespace, and Weebly run anywhere from $18-$50 per month. This number could increase if you need additional functionality like automated shopping cart reminders or email marketing campaigns. So, carefully consider whether you need products added to your website and whether you have the budget to cover this activity.
