How Much does a Website Cost (Really)?

Constructing a website is similar to building a house. Imagine having a plot of land where you want to construct your dream home. You have two options: You could quickly put up a rudimentary structure, like a simple shelter with four walls and a roof. This structure might provide some protection from the elements, but it lacks the functionality and comfort of a fully furnished home. Alternatively, if you invest the time and resources into planning and construction, you can create a house that not only serves as a functional living space but also reflects your style, meets your needs, and enhances your quality of life. Investing in a well-designed, fully functional website not only helps in attracting customers, generating leads, and driving growth but also helps in gaining credibility in the eyes of your potential customers. A professional-looking website can give your business a trustworthy and legitimate appearance, which can be crucial for building long-term relationships with your customers.

So, how much does a website cost? Let’s first look at the time invested in building a simple, SEO-optimized, branded five-page (Home, About, Services, Blog, Contact Page) website. Now, not every website designer provides all of these steps. But if you have a good one, they will.

1. Initial Consultation (1-2 hours)
   • Meet with the client to discuss their business needs, goals, and vision for the website.
   • Gather information about the business, target audience, and desired features.
2. Proposal and Agreement (1 hour)
   • Prepare a proposal outlining the scope of work, timeline, and cost estimate.
   • Review the proposal with the client and obtain their approval.
   • Sign a contract or agreement detailing the terms and conditions of the project.
3. Content Collection (2-4 hours)
   • Request text content, images, and any other media assets from the client.
   • Provide guidance on writing effective copy and sourcing high-quality images.
4. WordPress Installation and Setup (2-3 hours)
   • Install WordPress on the hosting server or set up a local development environment.
   • Configure basic settings and security measures for the WordPress installation.
5. Theme Selection and Installation (1-2 hours)
   • Help the client choose a suitable WordPress theme based on their preferences and requirements.
   • Install and activate the selected theme on the WordPress site.
6. Page Design and Layout (4-6 hours)
   • Create wireframes or mockups for the homepage and inner pages.
   • Design page layouts using the chosen theme and customize them as needed.
   • Incorporate client-provided content into the website pages.
7. Customization and Branding (3-5 hours)
   • Customize the website’s colors, fonts, and other visual elements to match the client’s branding.
   • Add a logo, favicon, and other branding assets to the website.
8. Integration of Plugins (2-4 hours)
   • Install and configure essential plugins for functionality such as contact forms, SEO, and analytics.
   • Test the plugins to ensure they work correctly with the website.
9. Technical Setup and Testing (6-8 hours)
   • Check the website’s responsiveness on different devices and screen sizes.
   • Test the website’s compatibility across various browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge).
   • Install and configure SSL certificate for secure HTTPS connection.
   • Update DNS records to point to the new website location.
   • Configure email settings, including SMTP for contact form functionality.
   • Set up DKIM records for email authentication.
10. Quality Assurance and Testing (2-3 hours)
    • Review the website for any errors, broken links, or formatting issues.
    • Test the contact forms to ensure they are working correctly and sending emails.
    • Test the SMTP configuration to verify that emails are being delivered successfully.
    • Verify DKIM records to ensure email authentication is set up properly.
11. Client Training and Handover (1-2 hours)
    • Provide training to the client on how to use the WordPress dashboard to manage content.
    • Hand over control of the website to the client and ensure they have access to necessary accounts and documentation.
12. Final Review and Launch (1 hour)
    • Conduct a final review of the website to ensure all changes have been implemented correctly.
    • Coordinate with the client to schedule the website launch.
    • Make any last-minute adjustments or updates before going live.
13. Post-Launch Support (optional, ongoing)
    • Offer ongoing support and maintenance services to the client as needed.
    • Provide assistance with updates, backups, and troubleshooting issues that may arise.

Estimated Total Time of Website Build: Approximately 30-50 hours (excluding post-launch support)

Education Needed: Basic knowledge of WordPress, HTML, CSS, and possibly some graphic design skills for customization and branding. Additionally, familiarity with DNS configuration, SSL setup, and email configuration would be beneficial for the technical aspects.