Budgeting for website projects

Why budgeting matters

Website projects have many costs beyond the initial build. Understanding all the costs helps you budget realistically and avoid surprises.

This guide covers the costs you should expect and plan for.

Initial build costs

Design and development

The main cost is usually design and development.

• Design work, including layouts and visual design.
• Development work to build the site.
• Content creation or migration.
• Testing and quality assurance.

What affects build costs

Several factors affect how much a build costs.

• Complexity of features and functionality.
• Number of pages and content types.
• Custom design versus templates.
• Integration requirements.
• Accessibility and performance requirements [2]Source 2 [1]Source 1 .

Ongoing costs

Hosting

Hosting is a recurring monthly or annual cost.

• Basic hosting for small sites.
• More expensive hosting for larger or complex sites.
• Hosting costs can increase as your site grows.

Domain name

Domain names need annual renewal.

• Typically £10 to £20 per year for .com or .co.uk.
• Some registrars offer low first-year prices that increase.
• Consider registering multiple extensions.

SSL certificate

SSL certificates are needed for HTTPS.

• Often included with hosting.
• Free options are available.
• Some hosts charge extra.

Email

Business email may have separate costs.

• Email hosting through your domain.
• May be included with hosting or separate.
• Email delivery services for forms.

Maintenance and support

Websites need ongoing maintenance.

• Security updates.
• Content updates.
• Bug fixes and small improvements.
• Performance monitoring.

Hidden costs

Content creation

Content creation can be a significant cost.

• Writing and editing.
• Photography or images.
• Video production if needed.

Third-party services

Additional services may be needed.

• Analytics tools.
• Email marketing platforms.
• Payment processing for e-commerce.
• Other integrations or tools.

Training

You may need training to use your new site.

• CMS training.
• Content management training.
• Best practices training.

Planning your budget

One-time costs

Budget for initial build and setup.

• Design and development.
• Content creation.
• Initial setup and configuration.

Recurring costs

Budget for ongoing expenses.

• Hosting monthly or annually.
• Domain renewal annually.
• Maintenance and support monthly or annually.
• Third-party service subscriptions.

Contingency

Set aside money for unexpected costs.

• Scope changes during development.
• Additional features or improvements.
• Emergency fixes or updates.

Getting quotes

What to ask for

Request detailed quotes that break down costs.

• Itemised list of what is included.
• What is not included.
• Ongoing costs after launch.
• What happens if requirements change.

Comparing quotes

Compare quotes carefully.

• Ensure you are comparing like for like.
• Check what is included in each quote.
• Consider ongoing costs, not just initial price.
• Ask about hidden costs or fees.

Budgeting for different project types

Simple brochure site

A simple site with a few pages.

• Lower initial build cost.
• Lower ongoing maintenance needs.
• Basic hosting requirements.

Content-heavy site

A site with lots of content or a blog.

• Higher content creation costs.
• More ongoing content management.
• May need more hosting resources.

E-commerce site

A site that sells products online.

• Higher initial build cost.
• Payment processing fees.
• More complex maintenance needs.

Common budgeting mistakes

• Only budgeting for initial build.
• Not planning for ongoing costs.
• Underestimating content creation costs.
• Not setting aside contingency.
• Choosing the cheapest option without considering long-term costs.

Getting value for money

Focus on value, not just price.

• Consider what you get for the price.
• Think about long-term costs and benefits.
• Consider quality and reliability.
• Factor in support and maintenance.

Next step

When planning a website project, list all potential costs. Budget for initial build, ongoing costs, and contingency. Get detailed quotes that break down what is included. Compare quotes carefully and consider long-term costs. Plan for ongoing maintenance and support. Budgeting realistically helps you avoid surprises and get the website you need. Use the quote calculator to get an estimate for your project, or get in touch to discuss your specific needs. For help deciding whether to rebuild or fix your current site, see website rebuild vs fix.