Custom build or template?
For most (relatively) small businesses this choice comes up regularly when you start researching what it costs to have a website built. You face an important decision: do I want a custom website or a website built on top of a template?
But what is a template, exactly? A template is an existing layout with components that multiple companies and websites use to build their site. That way, the internet agency you hire to develop your website saves a lot of time, which also lowers the cost. There are currently more than 11,000 premium templates on themeforest.net (one of the biggest suppliers of WordPress templates). So fortunately there is plenty of variety.
But is it actually wrong to use a template for my website? You might be wondering. We certainly do not think so, but of course it also depends on the budget you have available to have a website developed. If you are just starting out as an entrepreneur, or your company is not yet big enough to spend amounts like 4,000 to 5,000 euros on a website, a template based website is definitely a good option.
Advantages:
- Professionally designed
- Templates often come with a lot of functionality you can use in your website
- It is relatively easy to manage
- Plenty of room for (custom) adjustments (with a WordPress child theme, for example)
- Competitively priced compared to a custom website
Disadvantages:
- A custom website is completely unique, while a template can also be used by other companies
- A custom website is often slightly faster, because a template may offer more functionality than you actually need (and that can slow the website down a little).
JKC Media builds you a custom website or a site based on a template: both are possible.
How extensive should the website be?
Naturally, a website that only needs 5 pages is cheaper than an extensive website with dozens of pages, features and integrations. We also recommend being very clear with your internet agency in the early stage about how many pages you expect to need and which features you want.
Content management system (CMS), yes or no?
Most websites today are developed with a CMS (WordPress, for example). But if you know in advance that you will make few changes and will not publish articles or cases on your website, it can sometimes be cheaper to have a website developed without a CMS. That is often a little less expensive, and your website may load faster too. There is a downside, though. If you know nothing about programming languages such as HTML, CSS or JavaScript, it is hard to make changes in a website like that (especially if you think ahead). You would have to contact your web developer every single time. Another drawback: a maintenance contract for a website in HTML, CSS & JS usually costs a lot more, while you get less functionality out of it. In short: try not to cut costs on a content management system, if only to keep your options open for the future.
Freelancer or internet agency?
A freelancer is generally cheaper than an internet agency. But both the freelancer and the agency have their pros and cons. Internet agency:
- Pro: several people are involved (which can mean more expertise goes into developing your website)
- Pro: more continuity, since an internet agency is generally more viable long term than a freelancer. You are less likely to be caught out if your freelancer quits
- Con: it can be a little more expensive
- Con: you may not be assigned a fixed project manager, so contact can feel less personal than with a freelancer.
Internet agency JKC Media is happy to help you with a brand new website.
Freelancer:
- Pro: it is a bit more affordable
- Pro: contact is more personal
- Con: only one person is involved and you depend on that person more. If your freelancer ever gets sick, there is usually no replacement to take over the work on short notice.
- Con: your freelancer may quit, because it is easier for a freelancer to stop and take a salaried job than it is for the owner of an internet agency with staff of their own.
Write the copy yourself or have it written?
Do you write the copy for your website yourself, or do you have the content written? This also makes a big difference in price, depending on the amount of text of course. In some cases it is better to outsource the copywriting
SEO included?
Something many people forget when having a website built is the SEO part (Search Engine Optimization). Even if you have the most beautiful website in the world, if you or your web developer do nothing about SEO, your website will still do very little for you. Otherwise potential customers will never find you online. And how much SEO work is actually included when a web developer promises to optimize SEO on your website? We deliver on that promise and give your website’s visibility a boost (over the longer term).
- Adding meta titles, meta descriptions and alt tags?
- Doing keyword research and developing several unique landing pages based on it?
- A complete link building and marketing strategy running for months or years?
What should I expect in terms of the cost of having a website built?
That varies widely, of course, and depends on many factors (as mentioned above). We have made an estimate for a few types of scenarios, each with its own expected costs. Sole trader / starting entrepreneur: Usually looking for an affordable but still high quality website. The website should serve as an online business card and help find potential customers.
- With a CMS, so it is easy to edit yourself (should that be necessary)
- Between 5 and 15 pages
- SEO optimized (otherwise the freelancer cannot be found in Google, of course)
- Features such as a contact form, but no extensive or complex functionality.
- Based on a template
- Expected cost: 750 to 1,500 euros excl. VAT
Small business: Usually looking for a quality website that can meet specific goals. The website should help the business grow online and connect even more customers to the company.
- With a CMS, so it is still easy to manage yourself
- Between 15 and 45 pages
- SEO optimized (otherwise the small business cannot be found in Google, of course)
- Marketing strategy and planning for regular articles and updates (blog articles and so on)
- Features such as a contact form or an advanced quotation form. Fairly limited in scope and not complex.
- Based on a template
- Expected cost: 1,500 to 4,000 euros excl. VAT
(psst! JKC Media B.V. offers a package like this for just 2,795 euros excl. VAT, take a look at the offer to have your website built). Medium sized business: Usually looking for a unique and complex website. The website should help the business grow online even further and connect to systems such as CRM platforms.
- A custom CMS or a CMS such as WordPress
- Between 45 and 100 pages
- SEO optimized (otherwise the small business cannot be found in Google, of course)
- Marketing strategy, link building strategy and planning for regular articles and updates (blog articles and so on)
- Extensive functionality and integrations with various systems. A CRM system, for example.
- Fully custom built
- Expected cost: 4,000 to 15,000 euros excl. VAT
(unfortunately JKC Media B.V. does not offer this type of website yet, but behind the scenes we are already busy learning the latest techniques and gaining experience so we can offer these more extensive websites too).
In closing: clear on the cost of having a website built?
Still looking for an experienced internet agency for your new website? JKC Media B.V. is happy to help. Dozens of satisfied customers have gone before you. Feel free to request a no obligation quote and we will gladly help you further.
