What is Website Design?

Website design is the process of creating a website, including both the graphical aspects (layout, images and other media) and coding. The purpose of website design is to create a user-friendly interface that will engage visitors and help convert them into paying customers.

There are many types of websites; some are informational only while others include ecommerce features as well as advertising opportunities for companies selling products or services online.

What Factors Influence Website Design Cost?

When you're looking for a website design company, it's important to know how much your project will cost. Many factors influence the price of a website, including:

• The level of complexity. The more complex your site is, for example, if you want an e-commerce platform or an interactive map, the more expensive it will be to create.

• Design/development time. Most designers and developers charge by the hour (or quarter). If your designer needs more time than expected because they're working on other projects or learning new skills, this could increase costs as well.

• Custom features like animations or dynamic content updates may also affect pricing; these can be costly additions, but they also make websites stand out from competitors' sites in search engine results pages (SERPs).

What Are the Different Pricing Models for Website Design?

When vetting web design companies, there are a few fee structures you will encounter. What will work best for you heavily depends on your needs and goals. Here's a breakdown of the most common models:

• Hourly rate. This is the most common fee structure, but it can be difficult to manage because you nor the designer really knows how much time is needed for the project until after the project has started. There also is no guarantee that the designer assigned to your project will work at the same speed as other designers in their field, and if they don't, then your bill will be more expensive. However, this isn’t always necessarily a bad thing. You want your website done right the first time, and not rushed. Many people end up paying double or triple the price for web design because of designers who rush through the process. 

• Fixed-price (or "package"). A fixed-price contract is great for both parties because both sides know exactly what they're getting into from day one. With fixed pricing, everything that the company will need to execute and complete your project is built into the price. Sometimes, due to client desires, other costs can be incurred; but this normally only happens if the client chooses to implement features that aren’t in the scope of the package they have selected. Here at The Wilder Shoppe, these extra costs are discussed as they arise, and nothing is purchased or billed without the clients’ consent. We can not speak for the best practices of any other company.

What is the Average Cost of Website Design?

The average cost of website design varies depending on the type of business and its needs.

Small businesses usually spend between $1,000 and $5,000 on their websites. The price depends on the number of pages on the site, as well as what features are needed (such as e-commerce).

E-commerce sites tend to cost more than non-e-commerce sites because they require more functionality and customization options. For example, if you're selling products online, then your store will need an inventory management system that allows customers to place orders without having access to any other areas of your site. This can add up quickly!

What are Some Tips for Finding Affordable Website Design?

• DIY website design. If you're comfortable with the idea of building your own website, this is one way to save money on web design costs. However, keep in mind that if you don't have experience with coding or other technical tasks (such as hosting), this option may not be right for you.

• Hiring a freelancer instead of working with an agency can also help cut costs, especially if they're able to work remotely and don't require face-to-face meetings or office space. However, there are some downsides: You won't have access to as many resources as an agency would offer; it can be harder for freelancers to fulfill the array of needs your website has seeing that they won’t necessarily be familiar with all aspects of design (such as SEO) because they don't have experts at their disposal; and there's no guarantee about quality control since anyone can call themselves a "web designer."

What Questions Should I Ask When Shopping for Website Design?

• Ask your designer probing questions regarding your project needs to make sure they understand the scope of the project,

• Ask them how long it will take them to complete the project, and make sure you receive a cost estimate (cost estimates are for hourly rates). When selecting a package, be sure to ask if there are any hidden fees.

• Ask to see the company’s portfolio of work, and be sure to ask where your website will be hosted. For example, Go Daddy, Squarespace, or the company’s personal server. Hosting fees apply to all. So make sure you know how much they are, and if you or the company you’re working with will handle the billing. Either way you will be paying for hosting. 

•  Ask about website maintenance. This is very important. Websites do have upkeep that’s to be done. You want to make sure you have someone for the job. Website maintenance may or may not be built into your package, depending on the package level you choose. Maintenance will not be included in hourly fee schedules. Maintenance is inexpensive, but more than likely will be a monthly or quarterly cost that you’ll pay beginning after the completion of your website.

What Should I Look for in a Website Design Contract?

If you're about to hire a web designer, there are a few things you should look for in their contract.

The scope of work is the first thing to consider. This section should outline exactly what they will be doing for your site and what features it will have. You should also make sure that it includes any additional items that may come up during development such as bug fixes or changes in functionality.

The timeline and milestones section should explain how long each phase of development will take and when payments will be due (i.e., 10% upon signing contract, 30% after wireframes are approved). If there are any milestones along the way (such as getting domain registration or hosting), those should be included here too so that both parties know when they've been met before moving on to another stage of development or payment schedule.

What is the Best Way to Get Started with Website Design?

The best way to get started with website design is to research different options and understand your budget. You should also create a list of requirements, like what content you want on the site and how it should look. Once you have this information, find a website design partner who can help meet all of your needs.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are a lot of factors that go into determining the cost of website design. If you're looking for a professional and high-quality website, it's important to understand the process before getting started.

If you have any questions about this article or would like to discuss the web design project that you have in mind, please contact me at info@thewildershoppe.com.