As the new century opened, humanity witnessed the rise of public consumption of Web technology. Two decades later, the Internet has become the new frontier of modern life, including business and commerce. Because of this, startup and small businesses aim to start online services and launch incredible websites that will attract consumers across the world. If you are among the visionary owners who aim to make a mark on the Internet, you need to consider the cost of setting up an online page. In this article, you will learn the different aspects of producing and maintaining websites.
Like every fledgling web developer and programmer, you need to understand the difference between front-end development and back-end development to assess the necessary cost. Front-end refers to the user interface and content on your page, such as layout, buttons, text fields, text, and media content. On the other hand, back-end development encompasses the programming and scripting behind the scenes. This includes the actual coding necessary for the website to function, the database administration required by the servers, the security measures your site needs to have, and the transformation of data for the consumers. Our discussion about the cost of launching a business website will consider these two.
Back-end website development
The Internet, including your eventual website, is made possible by proficient programming, algorithms, data management, and infrastructure. Hence, employing web development services and hiring web engineers and developers will help your website stay functional and dynamic. They may come at a steep price (from US$300 to over US$10,000) but it is worth it, depending on your capital and website needs. After all, you finance them for their expertise and the quality of their work.
Moreover, you have to pay for the services and platforms necessary for website creation. First, you need to register your domain name. It is the address that Internet users will use so they will be able to identify and access your website. This is the prominent text that you see on the address bar of your browser when you visit a website. For example, the social media site Facebook has the domain name facebook.com, while the online market giant Amazon has amazon.com. Without a domain name, your website will have a generic address like www.yourisp.com/businessname, leaving your page visitors doubtful of your site and business. Indeed, domain names are very important—they give your website identity, professional look, and a layer of protection. There are so many online domain name registrars you can choose from, and they charge an average of US$10-12 annually.
Second, you must work with a reliable web hosting company that will serve as the foundation of your website. They house the data centers and servers that will accommodate your site so it would be available at all hours, seven days a week. The web host also provides server bandwidth, storage, maintenance, troubleshooting, network equipment, and the electricity that will power these. The costs range from US$100 to US$500 annually, depending on your expected traffic and web server needs.
Third, your website needs to have a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate. If you use the Google Chrome browser, you will notice how the address bar shows a lock for “secure” pages while presenting warnings for pages that are “not secure”. This is all because of the SSL certificate, the “s” next to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). In plain English, the protocol https:// says that the website is secure, encrypted, and safe to use. At present, where Internet users are vigilant and careful about online crimes and scams, having this certificate is crucial for the success of your platform. Moreover, it will also improve your ranking on Google and other search engines. You can have an SSL certificate from US$10 to $200-300 every year. Just purchase what you need to avoid unnecessary costs.
Front-end website development
Quality comes with a price, and this rings true in front-end website development. If you want an attractive and engaging online page that will represent your business and brand, you need to invest money and creativity for it. You can also hire website designers who will serve as the architects of your dream site. They can charge from US$1,000 to over US$10,000, again, depending on your needs. The amount depends on page volume, size layout, premium plugins, and design revisions. You can also pay for special programs, media features, and social media integration, which individually cost US$150 to US$600.
Moreover, you can work with competent firms and agencies that provide search engine optimization or SEO. They can catalyze your success online by helping your site rank higher on search engines. SEO providers can either charge monthly (US$200 to US$500 per month) or upfront (between US$3,000 and US$9,000). You can also employ pay-per-click advertising, the same service used by businesses that appear on search engine results, ads before YouTube videos, and other sites. You will pay for every advertisement successfully clicked, ranging from $100 to $1,000 monthly.
But beyond the looks and design of the website lie the content and media that will ultimately determine the quality of your online page. If you want high-quality and professionally-made pictures, you can visit sites that sell and offer stock photos with various subscription fees. You can also hire writers, editors, copywriters, proofreaders, and editors.
But be careful!
With the price that comes with making a beautiful and successful website, it can be quite tempting to cut the necessary costs. However, this can be dangerous both for you and your users. Failing to update and maintain your site accordingly can make it prone to glitches, errors, and instability. Hackers exploit such easy prey, including small businesses. Incompetent web developers, designers, and engineers can ruin your web page or create substandard output, wasting your invested time and money. They can also give you false advice and faulty management, adversely affecting your site and your business.
Victory requires time and persistence. Now that our modern society and reality are anchored on the Internet, your online image requires the same upkeep, care, and investment you give your home and physical store. The millions of people who need and will enjoy your product and services wait for you—it is time for you to take the step forward.
