How much does website design cost?

If you're one of many professionals or individuals who have bought a .com domain, that's just the first step. Eye-catching visuals and a relatively easy user experience are the known keys to finding success through your website. Hiring a web designer is ideal if you need more assistance in that area. 

The average cost of website design ranges from $2,000 to $20,000. However, depending on the complexity of the design you want, a starting fee of $30,000 is also possible. Read on for more details on website design prices in the US.

Website design price list

What factors affect website design pricing?

The primary cost you incur is the web domain, which pertains to your internet presence. But aside from that, here's what you should bear in mind when calculating website designer costs:

Hosting

This is the price you pay to exist on the internet. Whether it is amortized monthly or annually is up to the hosting server you connect to. 

Web hosting can cost $100 per year but can go as high as $500 per year if you opt for shared or dedicated hosting. Shared hosting refers to one server hosting different websites, while dedicated hosting is a server reserved for your use. The former is usually the more cost-friendly option, as the fee is spread out amongst the shared hosts.

Design

This refers not just to the aesthetic and physical design of the website but how easy it is to use. This is called UX, short for user experience, or how a user interacts with a website. Successful websites get their clicks from having a responsive UX design. 

What does that mean? Responsive design refers to how the website adjusts to desktop and mobile devices. Nowadays, users utilise their mobile phones more than their laptops, so mobile-friendly designs are a priority for most website owners.

Content management system

A website must have content, after all, right? But purchasing a domain will not guarantee a page to build upon, much less to design and create. What you need is a sound content management system (CMS). This refers to the software you use to create your web content. A basic CMS pack is usually priced at $2,000 to $25,000.

Search engine optimization

Congratulations! You have a website underway. But having your website on the internet doesn't mean you will become famous overnight. You must also invest in good search engine optimization (SEO), a marketing strategy that boosts your website's presence through keywords. 

Web design must also include copywriting. While there's no need to invest in an agency, the average cost of budget SEO is $80 to $200 per hour. The service includes a consultant who will provide you with the right keywords to boost your presence.

Add-ons

While these could be reserved for another time after the launch of your website, most professionals or individuals prefer to have everything ready. Add-ons are "nice-to-have" features, like content writing and an email newsletter subscription service, to name a few.  

Content writing costs $50 to $80 per hour, while email marketing services range from $10 to $1,500 per month, depending on how expansive the database is. Some CMS programs offer email subscriptions as free plug-ins, so it's best to check the program you have.

Web designers vs. website builders

You might be a rookie website owner who's not well-versed in HTML or CSS. Companies have responded to such a need through a website builder, an online program that enables you to build websites through pre-existing templates. However, here's why it might be better to hire a website designer:

Attention to detail

The one advantage website builders have is the ability to provide their customers with convenience. But convenience doesn't necessarily result in easy customization, which will allow you to push the concept of your website further.

A designer's expertise can bring your dream site to life, down to the font and copy. 

Efficiency

Since a website designer might be a hefty investment, it's tempting to turn to a website builder to save money. But in the long run, maintaining a website by yourself and trying to change things can eat up your time, especially if you want to execute the vision you have in your head.

Having a website designer gives you more time for other essential tasks. You can just delegate and relay to the designer what you want your website to look like, and they'll take it from there.

Collaboration opportunities

Do you need a last-minute edit? If your designer is only a chat away, you can ask them for help in a snap. This is true for web designers you have already worked with, who know what you have in mind and are ready to execute it. A website builder might provide convenience and cost efficiency, but human talent trumps that any day. 

Additional web design costs in the US

Product photography

Face it; we live in a visual society. Snackable content is the "in" thing right now, so how do you stand out in an aesthetically conscious world? Have an eye-catching design, and that includes beautifully staged photos. Depending on how you want your photos to be laid out, you must have high-quality pictures to accompany your website. 

This can include nicely done videography if you want to entice your site visitors further. While costs for photography depend on factors like expertise and the number of layouts, the average cost of hiring product photographers is $100 to $150 per hour.

Content writing

Content writing is critical to your SEO score, and producing niche-related content on your website can boost your rankings. Content writing includes various tasks, from writing long-form blog posts to building a website's copy. 

Website analytics

While this applies more to business than personal use, it can be helpful to website owners who are bloggers or influencers. Investing in a website analytics app can boost your rankings and help you analyze the traffic coming to your site. The cost of a website analytics program starts at $12,500 at the lowest tier.

Book a web designer on Airtasker

Now that you know the cost of designing a website, you're ready to book a professional web designer. Write and post a task on our platform. To help you receive offers that match your needs and preferences, consider including these details in the request form:

• Your budget
• Your location
• Your preferred platform or programming language
• Your target audience
• Your target completion date

Once you've posted a task, you'll shortly receive offers from professional web designers near you.