Are you planning to start an ecommerce business? One of the first things you need to consider is the cost of building a website. The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as it depends on various factors such as your business needs, design requirements, and functionality. In this blog, we’ll explore the different costs associated with building an ecommerce website in the UK, so that you can make an informed decision about your investment. Let’s dive in!
Hosting and domain
To make your website accessible to users, you’ll need reliable hosting and a domain name. Website hosting is like renting a space on the internet to store your website’s files. Hosting costs can vary, depending on factors such as server performance, bandwidth, security features, and support.
You have two main choices when it comes to hosting an ecommerce website:
- Self-hosted: By subscribing to a hosting service, you get a web hosting account (usually starting at about £5 per month), a domain name (which typically costs around £10 to £20 per year) and an SSL certificate (starting at £60 per year).
One thing to keep in mind when self-hosting your ecommerce website, is that as it becomes more popular, you may need to upgrade your hosting plan in order to handle the increased traffic. High-traffic websites can cost from £250 to over £500 per month.
- Cloud hosting: Another option is to use an ecommerce platform such as Shopify. This way, you get an all-inclusive monthly plan, with no additional costs for hosting and installation. The price is as low as £25 monthly. You still need to purchase a domain name separately.
Web design
When it comes to building an ecommerce website, planning and design play a vital role. A well-designed website not only enhances the user experience but also reflects your brand’s credibility. Ecommerce site builders offer templates and themes to customise your website. The price can range from free to about £50.
If you are planning to build a medium-to-large ecommerce website, you should probably consider hiring a web developer to help. Employing a professional web designer or an agency can range from £500 to £5,000, depending on the complexity of your requirements and the level of customisation you desire.
Content
Compelling content is essential for engaging visitors. Costs include professional copywriting, product descriptions, blog posts, images and videos. Having great content on your website is also crucial for achieving a high ranking in search engines. Google views it as an important factor when ranking web sites.
It’s possible to write the content for your ecommerce site on your own, but if you want top-notch product and brand copy, it’s best to bring in a professional. Costs can range from £100 to over £1500 per project.
Ongoing maintenance and support
Once your ecommerce website is up and running, it requires regular maintenance and support. This includes updating software, implementing security measures, fixing bugs, and remodeling. Some businesses choose to hire a web developer or an agency for ongoing maintenance, which can cost around £100 to £500 per month. Costs vary, based on the size of the website and the level of ongoing support required.
Estimates for total costs
To get an idea of how much your ecommerce website could cost overall, let’s take a look at some estimated total costs per year, based on different sizes and complexities:
- Small Ecommerce Website:
Estimated cost: £500 to £1500.
This includes basic features, limited product range, and standard design elements.
- Medium Ecommerce Website:
Estimated cost: £1500 to £3000.
This includes additional features, a wider range of products, and more customised design elements.
- Large Ecommerce Website:
Estimated cost: £3000 to £5000 and above.
This includes advanced features, extensive product range, and highly customised design elements.
Wecommerce Digital is a digital marketing agency specialized in in ecommerce website development, ecommerce SEO, PPC management and content marketing. We have over 10 years experience developing ecommerce websites and building digital marketing performance from zero to hero! If you want straightforward, honest, and measurable results as well as the opportunity to learn how they were achieved, visit our website today at wecommercedigital.com.
