Web design cost is a primary concern for anyone needing a new website. Let me demystify the pricing process.
Not all projects are created equal. The scope, complexity, and deadlines of each project make it individual. As such, a pricing structure needs to be flexible.
Considerations
Overheads
I work as a freelancer and have two Satellite specialists who are experts in their field. Fortunately, I work from a home office with no discernable overheads.
Experience
I’ve been designing for the web since 2014. With countless changes in web usability, technological advances, and users’ expectations, it’s a full-time job to keep up, learn, adapt, and remain a viable option as a service provider, so I know what I’m doing.
Pricing
All amounts are in AUD (Australian Dollars)
My base hourly rate is a flat $120 per hour, which I use to calculate projects.
However, there’s more to the story—generally, the bigger the project, the lower the hourly rate.
Options
The 3 methods that I use to determine a web design package cost are:
Hourly Rate: Charging hourly means I bill you for the total hours worked.
Project Rate: Project rates are risky for me but generally benefit the customer. The overall benefit is that both parties can focus on the ultimate value of the deliverable.
Monthly Rate: This means charging flat rates for recurring work such as website maintenance, copywriting, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), hosting management, etc.
Costing Method
Here is a breakdown of how I reach a cost using the Project Rate. (It’s the most common rate)
Project Awesome is a mid-size build and requires the whole gamut of services to demonstrate a clear idea of costings:
| Component | Estimated Time (Hours) | Cost (Full Rate) |
| Research: Who is this site competing with? What are the challenges? What opportunities are there to add a competitive edge? What is the plan for implementing SEO, based on the learned information? What does this type of site need in terms of features and content? |
10 | $1,200 |
| Tech: Am I procuring a domain name? Do I need to research available and appropriate name(s)? Am I setting up web hosting? Am I setting up Security (SSL)? Am I setting up an email client? |
Fixed (p/a) | $400 |
| Resources: Will I be designing your logo? Do you need photos taken? Or are you using stock photos? Am I responsible for the copy (text, descriptions, etc.) |
Fixed | $1,200 |
| Design: I’ll generally produce 2 wireframes (website layouts with little to no functionality). You’ll choose which one I’ll develop. | 40 | $4,800 |
| Development: I’ll turn the design into a fully functional website ready for testing. | 40 | $4,800 |
| Testing: This is where the whole thing gets tested for bugs, anomalies, and minor tweaks. (they’re inevitable) | 10 | $1,200 |
| Total | $13,600 |
The costs soon add up. And at $13,700, the cost might be prohibitive. That’s why I work with you as a professional web designer to find a project rate that works for both parties.
As you can see, ‘getting a website done’ can be a complex job. But then, that’s why you’d hire a professional.