Learn About Web Design
Everything you need to know before hiring a web designer — costs, choosing the right professional, and getting your project off to a strong start.
How Much Does a Website Cost?
Website costs vary widely based on complexity. A simple business site with 5-10 pages typically runs $2,000-$5,000. A custom-designed site with CMS integration costs $5,000-$15,000. E-commerce stores range from $5,000-$25,000 depending on product count and features. Custom web applications start at $15,000 and can exceed $100,000. Don't forget ongoing costs: hosting ($10-$100/month), maintenance ($100-$500/month), and domain renewal ($15-$50/year).
Freelancer vs Agency: Which Should You Hire?
Freelancers are typically 30-50% cheaper than agencies and work well for straightforward projects like business websites and WordPress builds. Agencies offer broader skill sets (design, development, SEO, copywriting), built-in project management, and business continuity — if one team member leaves, your project continues. For projects over $10,000 or those requiring ongoing support, agencies often reduce risk. For smaller budgets and simpler sites, a skilled freelancer is usually the better value.
What to Prepare Before Hiring a Web Designer
Being well-prepared saves time and money. Before your first meeting, gather: your logo and brand guidelines (colours, fonts), 3-5 examples of websites you like (and what you like about them), a sitemap or list of pages you need, all your content (text, photos, videos), your domain name and hosting details, login credentials for existing services, and a clear idea of your goals — are you generating leads, selling products, or providing information? The more prepared you are, the smoother and cheaper the project.
Redesign vs New Build: What's Right for You?
A redesign keeps your existing site structure and content but refreshes the visual design, improves mobile responsiveness, and updates the technology. It's faster and cheaper (typically 40-60% of a new build). A new build starts from scratch with new information architecture, content strategy, and technology choices. Choose a redesign if your current site structure works but looks dated. Choose a new build if your business model has changed, your site is on outdated technology, or your content needs a complete overhaul.
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