Have you ever thought “How much does custom website design cost?“
Before exploring, we have to take into account that more than 95% of the time, visitors form an opinion about a website based on its design, with a good design website visitors can be converted into sales, hence a terrible web design will make the visitors never come back to your site.
But how much exactly does a custom website design cost?
We’ll break down the factors that determine the cost of a custom website design, so you can get a ballpark figure on the investment that a tailored and unique digital presence requires.
This question isn’t as straightforward as it looks like, as many factors contribute to the overall cost.
Based on Lardis Digital experience, pricing structures for a custom website tend to look something like this:
- A custom business website for startups that consists of a few pages and doesn’t have too much information will typically not require excessive work or customization. For a website that contains less than 15 pages – such as an About Us page, blog, services, homepage, stock images and functionalities that are not overly complex — the cost might range from $5,000 – $30,000, based on the complexity the clients ask for.
- A custom eCommerce website of up to 75 web pages, content management system (CMS), custom layout and a few unique functionalities may cost between $7,500 – $60,000 and up, again based on the complexity the clients ask for.
- A large custom business corporate website that has hundreds of pages, a fully customized design, CMS, blog content and multiple unique functionalities such as live chat, could start at $75,000 and go up from there.
Your website needs to accommodate the needs of the user. Having a simple clear intention on all pages will help the user interact with what you have to offer, therefore the end product will be a good custom website design that convert visitors into sales.
What is the purpose of your website? Are you imparting practical information like a ‘Where to guide’? Is it an subscription website or are you selling a product to the user? There are many different purposes that websites may have but there are core purposes common to all websites, and keys for a good website design.
Factors That Affect Custom Website Design Cost
Custom website design investment depends on many factors, such as the design elements, number of web pages, messaging and more.
Knowing what affects the cost of custom website design will help you make informed decisions about your allocated budget.
The factors that can affect the cost of your website include:
1. Templated Or Fully Custom Approach
When it comes to website design, businesses often need to choose between a templated design or a fully custom approach.
Both have their merits and drawbacks and the choice largely depends on various factors including budget, timeline and needs.
Below is a brief overview of each approach to help you make an informed decision:
Option a. Templated Web Design
A templated web design can help you save time compared to building a web design from scratch and it will cost less. However, there are drawbacks when utilizing a templated design.
For example, templates usually come with fixed layouts and styles, and extensive customization might be challenging. You may require coding skills to modify the template beyond its original design.
Using a template for web design can pose security vulnerabilities, such as insecure file uploads and the lack of cross-site request forgery (CSRF) protection, where attackers can perform actions on behalf of an authenticated user, leading to potential data manipulation or unauthorized transactions.
Option b. Custom Web Design
A fully custom, unique website design can take longer to build and it will require costs upfront, but it comes with a variety of benefits.
With a custom website design, you have the freedom to create a unique look for your business and feel that’s completely aligned with your brand. This can give you a distinct edge over competitors who might be using off-the-shelf templates.
40+% of users abandon websites with poor design. Custom web design allows you to curate the user journey and experience based on your specific audience and business goals, leading to higher engagement and potentially, higher conversion rates.
As your business grows, a custom website can be adapted to include new features or functionalities, unlike many templated solutions that come with limitations.
When it comes to security, custom-built websites can include special security features, such as custom firewall rules, security event logging and intrusion detection and prevention systems, to improve your website’s protection.
With a custom website, you can also schedule regular security updates to address any vulnerabilities, ensuring that your site stays ahead of security threats. You’re not dependent on a third-party vendor to provide these critical updates.
Still deciding what agency to hire for a custom website design?
Lardis Digital creates stunning Websites that drives traffic and convert visitors into clients. Either templated or custom website we are your best choice.
2. Number Of Website Pages
The number of pages on your website has a direct correlation with the amount of work required in designing and developing the site. More pages typically mean more design layouts, more content to populate, and additional time for coding and testing. This usually translates to higher costs.
eCommerce websites with an extensive line of products may require hundreds of web pages, for example, while simple, corporate websites may only need 5-10 pages in total.
If you need to have various page layouts — think blog posts, product pages, calendar displays or regular content pages — they will also need to be designed, increasing the final price.
3. Design Elements
The overall cost will also depend on the complexity of the elements you want to add.
For example, some design elements include:
- Parallax effect: Parallax effect can help create a dynamic and engaging user experience by allowing different elements on a web page to move at different speeds as the user scrolls through the website.
- Motion graphics: Motion graphics are pieces of website animation where text, images, illustrations, video and sound are combined to create a dynamic visual experience.
- Lazy loading: Lazy loading is a web design trend where specific elements, such as images, are only loaded when they are needed or when they become visible in your user’s viewport. This design element can significantly improve the performance and loading times of your website, providing a more responsive user experience.
In the image below you will find the website for MIRA Real State, a website that handle the elements, as animations and pictures, in a balanced way.
4. Website Messaging
Messaging is an important component of your custom website design and its user experience, whether it’s on your home page, product pages or landing pages for new launches, sale offers and other promotions.
This is because, effective messaging clearly conveys your brand’s value proposition, mission and offerings to your visitors, helping them understand what your brand and offerings are about.
Effective messaging can also help foster engagement, guide users through your site with purpose and directly contribute to achieving your goals, such as building trust with your audience.
A full-service agency usually employs copywriters as part of its comprehensive offering to clients.
Most agencies charge for their copywriting services either by hourly rates or the scope of work needed for each website page.
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5. Website Functionalities and Integrations
The functionalities of a website play a significant role in determining its overall cost. The more advanced, complex, or customized features you require, the higher the price will likely be. Here’s a breakdown of how different website functionalities can impact the cost:
a. Basic Website (Static Pages)
- Features: A basic website typically includes a homepage, about page, contact page, and maybe a blog. It may have a simple design with minimal interactivity and dynamic content.
- Impact on Cost: These types of websites are usually the least expensive because they don’t require complex coding or advanced features. They are often built on a template or content management system (CMS) like WordPress.
b. Custom Design and Branding
- Features: A custom-designed website that aligns with your brand identity, unique graphics, logos, and a personalized layout.
- Impact on Cost: Custom design increases the cost because it requires a designer to create original graphics, UI elements, and layouts, as opposed to using a pre-made template.
c. E-commerce Functionality
- Features: If your website includes an online store with product listings, shopping cart functionality, secure payment gateways, inventory management, and customer accounts, this will significantly increase the cost.
- Impact on Cost: E-commerce sites require more advanced development, integration with payment systems (e.g., PayPal, Stripe), and security measures (SSL encryption). Also, ongoing costs for transaction fees, product updates, and integrations need to be considered.
d. Content Management System (CMS)
- Features: A CMS (like WordPress, Shopify, or Joomla) allows you to update content easily without needing to know how to code. It can include blog management, page editing, and media management.
- Impact on Cost: A CMS may reduce the cost of ongoing updates since you can handle them yourself, but the setup, configuration, and customization of the CMS may still add to the overall development cost. Using premium themes or plugins can also increase the price.
e. Advanced Features and Custom Development
- Features: Advanced functionalities such as booking systems, custom forms, membership portals, integration with external systems (e.g., CRMs or databases), user dashboards, or complex calculators.
- Impact on Cost: Custom development requires more time and effort from developers to create and integrate these advanced features. Depending on complexity, custom-built features can be quite expensive due to the need for tailored code and testing.
f. Mobile Responsiveness
- Features: A responsive design ensures that your website functions well on mobile devices, including phones and tablets.
- Impact on Cost: If your website isn’t automatically responsive, additional design and development work is needed to ensure the layout adapts to different screen sizes. This may increase costs, especially if you need separate designs for mobile and desktop versions.
g. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- Features: On-page SEO (keyword optimization, meta tags, alt text) and technical SEO (site speed, structured data, mobile optimization).
- Impact on Cost: SEO can be a one-time upfront cost for optimization during the website build, or an ongoing cost if you want to regularly update content and monitor performance. SEO experts can be hired to improve your site’s ranking, which adds to the cost.
h. Integrations with Third-Party Tools
- Features: Integrating your website with tools such as email marketing platforms (e.g., MailChimp), CRMs (e.g., HubSpot), analytics tools (Google Analytics), social media feeds, or APIs from other services.
- Impact on Cost: Each integration typically involves additional development time and may require specialized knowledge, especially if the integration is complex or involves third-party APIs.
i. User Authentication and Security Features
- Features: If your website requires user logins, secure transactions, or protects sensitive data (e.g., membership sites, financial sites, or healthcare-related websites), strong security measures are essential.
- Impact on Cost: Implementing robust security features, including SSL certificates, two-factor authentication, and encryption, increases development time and may require specialized developers, which raises the cost.
j. Multilingual or Multi-Regional Support
- Features: custom Website design that support multiple languages or have regional variations (like different currencies or tax rates) need complex back-end systems and content management.
- Impact on Cost: Multilingual or multi-regional features require extra development for content translation, different currency management, and geo-targeting. Additional time and resources are needed for testing and maintenance, thus increasing the cost.
k. Ongoing Maintenance and Support
- Features: Ongoing updates, security patches, backups, content updates, and troubleshooting after the site goes live.
- Impact on Cost: Websites that require regular maintenance or have more complex features will incur higher ongoing costs. This can be a flat fee or billed hourly depending on the level of support you need.
l. Website Performance Optimization
- Features: Speed optimizations, caching, content delivery networks (CDNs), image compression, and code minification to ensure your website loads quickly and performs well.
- Impact on Cost: Performance optimization is essential for user experience and SEO. Implementing performance measures requires additional time and expertise, which adds to the cost.
m. Analytics and Tracking
- Features: Implementing tools to track user behavior (e.g., Google Analytics), set up goals, conversion tracking, and A/B testing.
- Impact on Cost: Adding analytics tools may be a minor cost if it’s included in the CMS or basic package, but custom tracking setups or advanced data analysis tools can increase the overall development cost.
In the picture below you will find a website we developed for Tongues and Tails Dog Bakery and Store, based in London – UK. Customer asked for several functionalities to make the customer’s journey more enjoyable, like subscription and booking system.
6. The Web Design Agency’s Expertise
Working along with an agency that employs experienced web designers and web developers comes with a higher cost compared to working with a freelancer, but it ultimately ensures your website candrive engagement, leads and conversions.
Look for a web development agency that specializes in your business niche and has a proven track record of building websites that not only look good but also engage with customers, rank on search engines and generate leads.
The team you choose should fully understand your market, industry and target audience to design a website that aligns with your values and mission statement.
A web design agency’s rates will influence the overall cost of your custom web design, as mentioned above agencies typically charge based on the complexity and scope of the project.
In addition, other factors, such as the experience level of the designers, the location of the agency and additional services like SEO optimization, content creation or eCommerce functionality can also impact the final price.
7. Loading Time
Waiting for a website to load will lose visitors. Nearly half of web visitors expect a site to load in 3.5 seconds or less and they will potentially leave a site that isn’t loaded within 7 seconds. Optimising image sizes will help load your site faster.
That’s why it’s so important to optimize your site in various ways. You want to reduce the time users have between clicking and getting to your content. Your images are key in this aspect. PNG images are better quality but are also larger than JPEG files. JPEGs offer a balance between quality and speed, so it’s a good idea to consider using JPEG files when building the site.
The hosting of your site is also key. Check to see if your site is using shared hosting or dedicated hosting which could have a direct impact on your site. When selecting the images and other items for your site, ask yourself, “Is this going to slow down my website?” If the answer is yes, or even maybe, don’t use it.
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Custom Website Design - Conclusions
The more complex and feature-rich your website is, the higher the development and maintenance costs will be. However, choosing the right functionalities for your business goals and audience can be an investment that delivers significant returns in the form of increased traffic, engagement, and conversions.
It’s important to balance functionality with budget and prioritize the features that will add the most value to your site and users.
Lardis Digital is a web design agency with more than 20 years of experience and more than 100 clients worldwide. In our Web Design process we take care of all the details above to deliver seamless Websites that convert visitors into sales.
Our end-to-end custom website design agency features in-house top-rated designers, developers, project managers, digital marketers, content specialists and more.
Services we are experts on, but aren’t limited, are:
- WordPress Web Design
- Custom Website Design
- eCommerce Solutions
- SEO Services
- WordPress Maintenance packages
- WordPress Hosting
Contact us today and start increasing sales now.