Building a website is one of the most important steps in developing your business, so you’ll want to do it right. In this case, the priciest doesn’t always mean the best.

This article will explain the web design phases and roles included and suggest how to choose the right agency. Read on to understand what it takes to bring your vision into life and how much does a website cost in Australia.

What Goes into Building a Website?

How much does a website cost? Well, probably more than you thought. But there’s a good reason for that.

Building a website doesn’t only require a UI/UX designer. You’re going to need developers, project managers, writers. This is what the whole process will probably look like:

  • Planning–Whether you hired an agency or a freelancer, the first phase usually consists of planning and outlining your web design idea.
  • Project management–A person will keep the progress on track and assign tasks to designers, developers, and writers. You will primarily be communicating with a PM.
  • Website structure and website architecture–It’s related to the logic behind page linking and competitor research, keeping SEO in mind. This will be a base for your future content and its interlinking.
  • Content Writing–Writing SEO content will help you rank higher in search results so that more people can find you. Future customers will mostly decide to buy from you based on your website content.
  • Web media–This refers to all the photo and video material, graphics, and illustrations you’re going to use on your website. Even if you get them from different sources, they need to be aligned regarding style and quality.
  • Design–A good designer will visually bring your idea to life map out the user experience and make sure the navigation is neat and intuitive. This phase is crucial for the impression you’ll leave on your customers.
  • Development–All those beautifully designed pages need to be implemented and made functional–that’s where developers take over. They’ll ensure it looks good on all devices and integrate all defined automation processes.
  • Testing–Developers also carry out this phase to make sure everything’s functional and looks like it was supposed to. They’ll report any faults or suggest improvements.
  • Website hosting and website maintenance–Your new business website needs a place to live and you will usually define this along with your domain name at the beginning of the process. Set up your domain before the name is taken. Maintenance is usually done by the web design company you worked with. You can do it yourself by completing some of the handful of online web development courses.

Types of websites

  • Simple website

Static web design for business presentation purposes, ideal for placing general information about services, about us, contact, etc. The business owner needs to request any additional changes to the web design company. Those requiring a basic site to start with may also opt for free website builders.

  • Custom website

This type of website includes greater branding capabilities and designing pages from scratch. In addition, the design company will be able to implement all desired CTAs, whereas the website design cost will vary depending on the complexity of the design.

  • WordPress website

A CMS-based website with endless changing possibilities, including creating new pages. It can use free or paid theme templates. A business owner can customize the website later on as he wants.

  • Ecommerce website

This is a specific type of website because it includes numerous products, carts, checkout, discount systems, etc. That way, design and development can last significantly longer and are more demanding.

  • Magento/Shopify

Although eCommerce platforms are similar, each has its own rules and limitations such as the payment gateways available. Generally, Magento and Shopify are the most popular platforms in Australia so most design companies will recommend them.

How Much Does a Website Cost in Australia?

The website design cost can vary significantly depending on your requirements. For some, an average website cost is around $2,500, while others can be up to $20,000. In most cases, if you have a limited budget, you can discuss your requirements with an agency or freelancers, and they’ll recommend the best solution for you.

These are the factors that impact the website prices in Australia the most:

  • Type of the website–Depending on whether you chose static, CMS, ecommerce…
  • Design level–Readymade or free templates are a cheaper option than custom-made.
  • SEO planning–If there’s a bigger picture around your content, it’s a huge plus.
  • Responsiveness–Mobile-friendly website is a must, don’t miss out on this step.
  • Content–Consider expenses for content production purposes.

This is the average price range for web design services in Australia, depending on the website type:

Is There an Additional Website Design Cost?

Apart from the already mentioned, you should be aware of a few extra expenses for building a website.

  • Simple website 7-10 pages: $2,500-$5,000
  • Custom website 7-10 pages: $4,500-$8,500
  • WordPress website: $5,500-$10,000
  • Ecommerce website: $8,500-$20,000
  • Magento/Shopify: $9,500-$20,000

Tips for Hiring a Website Designer

So, where to find a good designer? And how to know if he’s any good? Here are a few tips on how to make sure you’ve found the one:

  • Domain name–Every 1-2 years, you’ll have an expense of $30-$50.

  • Website hosting–Monthly or yearly subscription, around $150-$500 per year.

  • Website maintenance– If you require some changes or updates, it’ll come at an additional cost.

  • No matter if you’re looking for a local or international agency/freelancer, do research and look up the most quality web design services. If they’re going to build you a website, they should have a good one themselves.

  • First and foremost–ask for a portfolio. For your purposes, you’ll want to ask for his UI/UX works, preferably from a similar niche.

  • If you like what you see, request a quote. Describe your requirements and see how they respond, what are their recommendations and average website cost estimation.

  • Arrange a meeting with the project manager or the designer, or preferably both of them. Don’t miss out on this step because you want to make sure they get your vision and that they are the kind of people you’d like to work with and communicate with regularly.

  • Be open to suggestions you haven’t thought of. Building websites is their job, and they know about the best practices, so don’t come with a fixed mindset and consider their suggestions.

Here are some of the most popular platforms for finding freelancers for web design services:

  • 99designs
  • Fiverr
  • Freelancer.com
  • Upwork
  • Airtasker
  • Oneflare
  • Guru.com
  • DesignCrowd

Wrapping Up

Rather than thinking about your website as an expense, think of it as an investment. Your business idea will be visually presented and available to customers worldwide. It’s like another dimension of your business, and building your website should be an exciting and creative process if you choose the right agency. Don’t hesitate to insist on quality design and take your time because it will pay off in the end.

1. How much does it cost to maintain a website in Australia?

Website maintenance costs depend on your requirements from the web design company, but regular expenses concerning domain name and website hosting can be around $180-$550 per year.

2. Can you create a website for free?

Some platforms offer you a free web design, but that’s not a good solution for professional purposes, especially since you won’t be able to choose an exact domain name and can only use free templates, which aren’t as customisable. Moreover, you’ll be doing it yourself, which won’t look as good unless you’re a web design professional.

3. What is the average cost for a website?

How much does a website cost in Australia depends on many factors. The website type, responsiveness, number of pages, CMS, SEO, and more. However, the professional website design price in Australia starts at $2,000.