Unfortunately, many companies are making that purchase. They're paying for a website that looks great, but when they look under the hood, they realize they're not going anywhere. Determining a price for website design services comes down to more than a number on an invoice. You need to be paying for the right services if you want a site that pays for itself and helps grow your brand.
The actual cost of website design services can fluctuate based on several variables. This uncertainty can be frustrating when attempting to plan or budget. While you cannot always anticipate an exact figure, it is possible to ballpark the cost of a website design or redesign. Let’s go through some of the factors that can influence that price.
I can already hear you muttering, Wow, that’s helpful. And you’re right! A range this broad is not beneficial for your planning in the least. But while the overall capacity for website design pricing varies to this extent, the price range for your website redesign will be much more targeted.
Let’s zero in on your specific range by examining a few factors that have the most significant impact on pricing.
Top 4 Web Design Pricing Factors
1. Experience or Skill Level of the Web Designer
Why is this a factor?
With the advent of tools like HubSpot and WordPress, even the least experienced designer can create a website. As helpful as these tools can be for the less tech-savvy among us, there may be better options for creating an effective website for your business.
How does this affect pricing?
Like professionals in many industries, website designers set their fees based on their experience and expertise. As of the writing of this article, the going rate to hire a freelance designer is somewhere between $25-50 per hour. A more experienced designer may charge $150 per hour or more. And hiring a design agency can cost closer to $200-500 per hour.
The design costs will fluctuate based on skills and experience. Working with a solo freelancer can be effective for smaller companies, however, you may not get the attention you deserve during the project, as many freelancers take on more than one client at a time and lack the support of a team.
There are benefits to working with a full-service growth marketing team, but the price will likely be higher. When you hire a full team, you don't have to hunt down a copywriter, designer, and developer. It also means you don't need to coordinate between them all to manage the project.
What is the takeaway?
Can you save money upfront by hiring the cheapest company or the least experienced freelancer for the job?
Absolutely.
May that also cost time, leads, and revenue in the long run?
Absolutely.
When you work with a freelancer, you’re working with a single resource with specific skills. When you work with a growth marketing team, you are working with a range of experts such as design, copywriting, SEO, conversion rate optimization, development, and marketing strategy to ensure you publish a quality website that attracts and converts your ideal customer. It may cost more upfront, but you gain skills and expertise that will skyrocket the ROI of the project.
2. The Scope of Your Web Design Project
Why is this a factor?
What kind of website are you looking to build? Are you looking for a handful of pages connected with basic navigation, or do you have something more robust in mind? Maybe you’re looking for a website with animations, lead magnets, and pillar pages. The quantity and complexity of the pages will affect the scope.
How does this affect pricing?
Many web design services charge by the hour. A simple website may take around fifteen hours to build, whereas a more complex one could take eighty hours or more. The larger the scope of your project, the more hours your hired team will take to complete that work.
What is the takeaway?
If you’re more budget-conscious regarding your website design project, you should consider starting by incorporating only the elements most likely to move the needle. You can continuously optimize your website slowly to include more features from your wishlist later on.
Related: 7 Best Wix Alternatives for Building Profitable Websites
3. Your Web Design Project Timeline
Why is this a factor?
I’m sure you’ve heard the term “rush job.” In most industries, asking for something to be delivered faster than the norm costs a little extra. Consider requesting overnight shipping on your eCommerce order or getting your passport renewal expedited. If you want something fast, be prepared to pay for that convenience.
How does this affect pricing?
If you need your site up and running faster than your chosen designer’s standard delivery schedule, they will need to reprioritize their work to complete your site on that tighter deadline. “Reprioritizing” here likely means “pushing another client to the back-burner,” which will come at a premium.
Additionally, depending on the scope of your project, getting things done on that tighter deadline may push the members of your design team into overtime. Any time the costs go up for the service you’ve hired, chances are those costs will be passed onto you.
What is the takeaway?
This one is short and sweet: Speed comes with a price tag.
4. Does the Web Design Require Custom Coding?
Why is this a factor?
What’s faster and more efficient, building something from scratch or starting with a template? The answer is obvious: The template. If the website you create can be made using a modular builder such as Sprocket Rocket, using pre-made configuration elements to construct your website, then great news! You’ll be able to develop the site more quickly, and you won’t need a ton of technical knowledge to build or maintain it. If you need something more custom, you’re looking at a higher price tag and a longer timeline.
How does this affect pricing?
Custom coding requires a more specialized skill set. Coding a page from scratch will take much longer than building something using existing elements and templates. More time + more technical skills = more cost.
What is the takeaway?
A site that requires custom coding will be pricier than one that can be constructed using a modular builder like Sprocket Rocket.
Weighing the Cost of Web Design
Having a modern, attractive business website is essential in today’s digital world. Establishing an online presence allows your brand to reach customers worldwide.
While it may be tempting to seek of the cheapest option, consider the costs of a poorly designed website. A website that is hastily thrown together, without regard for the target audience or buyer’s journey, will likely have low conversion rates resulting in lost revenue and wasted ad spend.
An unattractive website can also negatively impact brand reputation, as customers associate your website with the brand itself.
If you go with the cheapest solution, and end up with an ugly, low-converting website, then you’ll likely find yourself in the same place you are right now, six or twelve months from now, looking to start another web design project.
Building a high-quality website for your business can cost anywhere from $3000-$500,000. The price you pay will depend largely on who you choose to work with and the outcome you hope to achieve:
- DIY in-house website: $500-2000, depending on your labor costs
- Freelancer: $500-5000
- Small web design agency: $1000-20,000
- Premium web design agency: $25,000-150,000
- High-end web design agency: $100,000-500,000
Whether you’re a small scrappy startup or a fortune 500 brand, investments made in a quality website will pay off with increased conversion rates, faster sales cycles, and improved brand reputation. The key is to find a design team to deliver a website that meets your needs and budget. Remember, your website is a direct reflection of your business, so invest wisely.
If you have an innovative company looking to drive growth through digital channels with a high-performing website, book a growth mapping session today. Our growth expert will review your current website's performance and discuss whether it makes sense to work with the growth team at Lean Labs for your website redesign.
