What Factors Effect Website Development Costs

January 17, 2021 | By: Scott Lard

All modern business owners understand the important of having a quality web presence. From e-commerce and connecting with potential clients and customers to assisting employees in daily operations, websites serve a variety of essential functions for businesses of all sizes and across all industries.

Whether business owners have existing websites and are looking to upgrade or if they’re looking to build a new site for the first time, one of the most commonly asked questions about the design process is, “How much does website development cost?”

It’s understandable to be curious about the cost of designing and launching a new site, however the answer is not as simple to determine as one might expect. In reality, there are a variety of different circumstance that affect website development costs and every website developer’s pricing may be different. To better explain, we’ll go over the factors that affect website development costs and how to get the most out of your money.

Website Development Cost Factors

Factors in Website Development Costs

Like any service, there are a variety of factors that go into determining quotes for web development. Although it may differ for every website developer, some of the most common factors include:

  • Whether the design is custom or template-based
  • How large the website will be
  • If there is a database creation needed or data transfer required
  • How much third-party integration is needed
  • If there is a customized CMS (content management system)
  • If web hosting, monitoring, and maintenance is included or not
  • Whether e-commerce functionality is needed
  • If SEO (search engine optimization) is included or not
  • Whether copywriting for page content is required

Naturally, more complex and custom website designs with additional features and functionality will be more expensive than template-based designs or websites without complicated features.

In addition to website development costs varying based on content and features, it’s important to remember that the pricing model may differ based on the web developer’s experience, offerings, and custom options. That’s why it is always smart to get multiple quotes to compare pricing.

Cost vs Functionality In website Development Costs

How to Balance Cost & Functionality

The key to getting the most out of your website development without enormous costs is to find a reliable, reputable, and experienced developer to help guide you through the process. Their knowledge can be extremely helpful in determining what features are a must for your business and which can be added at a later date. That said, it’s also essential to find a website developer who aims to be a long-term partner for your business rather than views you as a one-time client. Website developers who are looking to cash out on a quick template-based site are going to be less helpful in the long run if issues arise and if you’d like to upgrade, edit, or change things in the future.

WANT TO DISCUSS WITH AN IS&T REP?
Contact us today to discuss your new projects!