The Cost of a Website From 1995 to the Present

We recently explored the latest research by WebFX on website costs. Their study examines how these costs have evolved and what businesses can expect going forward. The insights are fascinating, and we’d love to hear your thoughts.

Historical Perspective on Website Costs

The graphic below shows that from 2013 to the present, the expected cost for a professional website ranged from $2,250 to $10,000. This range reflects the typical expenses for a small business website with about 15 pages, including basic design, development, and hosting services. While these costs provided a solid benchmark in the past, it’s important to note that today’s website pricing can vary significantly based on additional factors such as responsive design, ecommerce functionality, and ongoing maintenance. In 2024, basic website design costs start at around $6,500 and can go up to $100,000 or more for complex, high-end projects. For the latest pricing trends and a detailed breakdown, please refer to the updated data in our blog.

The Cost of a Website in 2024

Like other goods and services, the costs associated with designing, developing, and building a website have changed significantly over time. The value of a website today is drastically different from what it was a few years ago and will continue to evolve.

For a small business requiring a professional website with approximately 15 pages, website and email hosting, a domain name, and an aesthetic quality level of around 7/10, here’s the cost breakdown according to WebFX:

Website Builders: $0 – $500 per month
Freelancers: $500 – $5,000
Web Design Agencies: $3,000 – $100,000

Why Have Website Costs Fluctuated So Much?

Website costs have fluctuated significantly due to the growing need for responsive design, which ensures functionality across various devices and has driven prices up by about 20%. Increased competition in the web design market and advancements in web design tools have also played a role, making it easier and cheaper to create websites, thus lowering overall costs. Additionally, the demand for comprehensive digital marketing services, ongoing maintenance, and the need for customization and advanced functionalities contribute to the varied pricing, reflecting the complexity and requirements of different projects. Understanding these factors can help businesses make informed web design investment decisions.

The Cost of a Website Over Time

Many websites now require responsive website design, which means that a website is designed for functionality on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices. With hundreds of possible screen sizes, it isn’t difficult to understand why responsive design has driven the high end of website cost upwards. The necessity of having a website with responsive design is one reason for the widening gap between the highest and lowest possible costs for a website.

Although responsive design has driven the high end of website pricing up about 20%, it is definitely not something that most websites can afford to skimp on. Websites priced at the higher end of the cost scale due to responsive design needs may spend more money, but they are also able to adjust their website design and functionality to provide better visitor experiences on tablets and mobile devices. This ensures that their visitors experience their website smoothly and efficiently, increasing their potential for reoccurring customers.

Websites in the $2,200 range rarely include responsive website design elements, and so they are generally less expensive. However, tablet and mobile visitors do not receive a device-specific web visitor experience and so are less likely to return to these websites.

On the lower end of web design pricing, competitive industry pressure and advancements in web design tools have reduced prices by about 10% just in 2024. The web design market today has substantially more competitors, potentially as many as ten times more than a decade ago. The projected growth for web developers and computer network architects remains strong, driving competition and lowering prices.

Modern tools have made it easier for web designers to create great looking websites. Advancements in web design tools have contributed to the inexpensiveness of the lower end of website cost. Many free web design tools have been created and made available to the public, giving websites access to design tools that they likely would have had to purchase only a few years ago. This allows almost anyone to create a website or design graphics for free or at very little cost.

How Much Does a Website Cost Per Month?

The monthly costs for a website may fluctuate based on which services you are utilizing from month to month. However, if you have an Internet marketing package that includes ongoing optimization or other services, you may find that the cost is relatively similar each month.

Monthly, you should expect to pay for your website hosting, SEO or other ongoing optimization, any content creation or link building services, and special design projects. This may cost anywhere from $35 to $5000 a month.

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How Much Does a Website Cost Per Year?

A website’s yearly costs depends on the number of ongoing services associated with it, as well as any special, one-time-only charges or projects. For example, you may factor in the cost of a new logo design, or a website redesign, which are typically one-time-only items. If your Internet marketing company performs the same tasks month after month with only one or two special tasks or assignments, your yearly costs will range anywhere from $400 to $60,000.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to figure out how much your website will cost without knowing what services you need! So in order to help you better understand why a website costs what it does, or what your site will cost on a monthly or yearly basis, you can read the section below about website components and their costs. This may help you better answer your original question of “how much should a website cost?”

Hiring Your Web Design Partner 

If you’re looking for a team of industry experts to provide the latest resources and elevate your business, partnering with JLB might be the right move. At JLB, we offer “business-class” web design services, SEO, and digital marketing all in-house with full support. We help create user-friendly, competitive websites with the right resources at the right cost. Our goal is to deliver affordable, high-end custom websites with proven tools and services that give your business a competitive advantage. Our results speak for themselves— Contact JLB today.