How much does a website cost?

This is always a tough question for people to answer, including myself.

Having developed websites for more than 20 years I think that the total price of a website should be equal to the time spent building it. That being said, the hourly rate of web developers/designers has gone from an average of $75/hour to less than $50/hour.

The reason is that in the past developing a website required coding, knowledge of programming languages (C++, Java) and compilers (Visual Studio, Dreamweaver). Today web designers use CMS platforms, such as WordPress, Joomla, Drupal and DNN, and these core platforms are mostly drag and drop technologies.

In fact, if you know how to create an email or use Facebook then you can make your own website for under $100 using pre-designed templates from one of many hosted (cloud) servers. You can also hire a web designer in India and have your website done for under $200. Then again, do you want to rent a closet in a crowded building or build your dream house with an architect and construction crew 10k miles away? Knowing that you’re giving away access to your clients, databases, and bank accounts? This is assuming that all will go according to plan with the roofing, plumbing, electric, etc...

Today 95% of the people you want to do business with will check your website before doing anything so you have to look your best.  Your website should reflect your personality but also look and feel current. There are trends in website design as in every design field and it’s important that your website evolves as these trends change and technology advances. Your website needs to become more attractive, more user-friendly, more high-tech, etc…

My advice is that you should create your website with a company located in your country. Avoid freelancers, unless you know them personally, as they’re with you today but can easily be gone tomorrow. Look at their company website and portfolio, and get a written estimate since not all websites are equal. Make sure your website has a CMS (content management System) allowing you to maintain your website without a third party. As well as check that you have a blog with a social media feeder and that your website is SEO friendly. Finally your website should be standalone (not a hosted solution), meaning that you should be able to change hosting if you want to.

• A personal website with all the necessary features mentioned should cost you around.....$1500
• If you want a business website with interactive custom forms the price goes to.....$2500
• If you add commercial features like E-commerce B2B, B2C, Inventory etc.....$5000
  
• Corporate platforms with the above features and CRM, ERP, Multi-locations.....$7000
  
• Online communities with social profiles and access to all business modules will start at.....$10K

*The price indicated above are not only the price we are charging but also the prices I would be comfortable paying after knowing the work and support involved.
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