The Basic Building Blocks of a Website, and Their Costs
Thanks to developments in technology, the vast majority of us don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on a website.
There are solutions even a tech neophyte can use to build a website
easily and at an affordable price -- all without touching a single line
of code. Let’s take a quick look at the different components that make
up a website and the services available to create one.
Domain. A
domain
is the unique name of your website (for example: entrepreneur.com).
This is what your visitors type into the address bar to get to your
website. On average, a .com domain costs anywhere from Rs. 500 to Rs 1,000
annually. Prices can drop significantly if you purchase multiple years
in advance.
Hosting. A host stores your website files and makes
your website accessible online. Files can include PNG, JPG, MP3, HTML
and PHP. Hosting generally costs about Rs.240 to Rs.1,500 a month. However, it
can run a lot higher if your site requires special hosting due to heavy
traffic or intensive applications.
Design. A website’s design is composed of colors,
shapes and visuals. It’s the look and feel of the website minus content.
Design is the area that has the most variability in pricing. Cost
ranges based on the following preferences: custom logo, Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 20,000;
premium/custom template, Rs. 1000 to Rs. 10,000; novice designer, Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 15,000;
professional designer, Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 40,000; and small web design agency, more
than Rs. 50,000.
Advanced functionality. Advanced features can bump
the cost of your site significantly. As mobile has become an integral
part of the internet, websites need to be optimized for all screen
sizes. You can choose a responsive design or create a version of your
website that is designed for each device.
E-commerce is another popular addition. Online stores can vary from
simple to complex. If you’re running a small mom-and-pop shop, a DIY
store will most likely suffice. However, if you are hoping to build a
catalog that rivals Target, there will be a high price-tag to accompany
that power.
Now that we’ve covered what makes a website, let’s look at the three main routes you can take to build a site.
DIY. Creating a website with a DIY website builder such as
Jimdo,
Wix or
Wordpress
is the most affordable option, and yields professional results without
having to deal with coding or a backend view. You have control of what
your website looks like and all changes to your website show up
instantly. Website builders come equipped with built-in templates. Make
sure to shop around and compare the features offered by different
services. Prices can range from free to Rs.10,000.
Professional. The reasons to choose to work with a
professional include time, money and practicality. Whatever your
situation, it’s advisable that you ask a few questions such as: Will I
be able to update the site myself? If not, do I pay per update?
Ultimately, it’s highly recommended that you at least have partial
control of your website. This includes ensuring that the domain is
registered under your name. Prices can range from Rs. 13,000 to Rs. 100,000.
Enterprise. A corporation that needs a complex
website will have to invest considerably in the development of its site.
Corporate websites need to communicate a lot of information to a
variety of audiences and therefore, tend to be of a substantial size
with thousands of pages. Other advanced features that are required are
multi-user login, large databases and audit logs. Apart from the initial
price, you will have ongoing costs -- updates and maintenance -- that
will have to be done through the agency, web designer or developer.
High-end hosting, such as cloud solutions, will be necessary. Prices
start at Rs.500,000.
What’s right for me? Be realistic with what’s
essential for your website. Are you turning your hobby into a business?
Do you have a small shop? A DIY website builder will more than suffice. A
majority of individuals and businesses looking to build a website will
fall into this category.
However, if you’ve analyzed your particular situation and concluded
that you need professional aid in creating your site, there are a wide
range of options to fit your needs. Rest assured, building your website
is affordable and doesn’t have to break the bank.