What is the Average Cost of Website Design for a Small Edmonton Business?

You're an ambitious entrepreneur in Edmonton with a killer business idea and the drive to match. You need a website that'll make you shine. An online base for customers to find you, buy stuff, find your details, and get to know you.

Then comes the first and most important question: "How much is this actually going to cost me?"

I get it. As a fellow business owner in this awesome city, I've been there. Navigating the world of website design can feel like trekking through the River Valley in the middle of winter – a bit daunting and probably a little pricey.

But let's take a moment to look at what you're actually dealing with. This guide is here to help you understand the average cost of website design for small businesses right here in Edmonton. All factors included.

Let's go.

What factors go into a website design project?

Here's the lowdown:

• The type of website: First things first, what kind of online home are you building? A simple brochure website for your Edmonton bakery will be way more affordable than a full-blown eCommerce store for a trendy clothing boutique like Poppy Barley. And if you're dreaming of a complex web application like Jobber – well, that's a whole different ball game.
• Features & functionality: Want to add some bells and whistles to your site? Contact forms, online booking systems (perfect for Edmonton's many salons and spas!), membership areas – these awesome features add convenience for your customers, but they also add to the development cost.
• Design complexity: Are you envisioning a unique, custom-designed website that screams your brand (think of the striking visuals and dynamic features on the Edmonton Oilers website)? Or are you comfortable starting with a pre-designed template and customizing it? Custom design requires more time and expertise, so expect a higher price tag.
• Content creation: Don't forget about the words and pictures that bring your website to life! High-quality copywriting and professional photography can make a huge difference in how your business is perceived. But keep in mind, hiring talented folks like Edmonton's own photographers and copywriters will factor into your overall cost.
• Ongoing maintenance: Building a website is like planting a garden – it needs ongoing care to thrive! Hosting, domain registration, security updates, and fresh content are all essential for keeping your website healthy and secure. These ongoing costs are important to factor into your budget.

Long story short, what you actually pay is going to depend on what you want. If you want everything custom-made and to the highest quality, you'll pay for it. If you go cheap and cheerful, you won't spend as much, but it'll end up more generic overall. 

I'll tell you now: the trick is balance and sustainable investment. 

You need to start building your website in a way that suits your budget. Then, over time, you keep investing and improving things. Keep doing this for five years, ten years, and beyond, and you'll have an incredible website that's grown with your business.

For example, build your website basic to begin with and use stock images on your content. Then, as you grow, get custom photography done and switch the images over.

Spend too much too early, and you may not have enough to invest in other important areas of your business.

How much does website design cost? (DIY vs. Agency vs. Website Builder)

Let's say you already have an idea for the kind of website you want to build. 

You have three options. 

You can

• Build the website yourself, from scratch, with code. 
• Use a website builder like WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, and so on. 
• Hire an agency or website designer to handle everything for you.

There are pros and cons to each, and understanding them all can massively help you make the best decision.

How does DIY website design work?

This is the "I Can Do It Myself" route, and it's pretty tempting.

You're a driven entrepreneur who is used to taking charge. Why not build your own website and save some cash? Well, while you can certainly get some pretty good results and a completely custom website with any kind of functionality you want, you must be technically minded.

Without the skills and know-how, you're going to be learning everything from scratch, and there's a lot to think about. Designing and building a website with nice aesthetics is one thing. Implementing a proper UI, making it SEO-friendly, accessible to all users, and technically optimizing everything is a whole different ball game.

When you're trying to run a business at the time, dealing with customers, developing products and services, and everything else, it can get overwhelming fast. Think about  these factors:

• Time investment: You'll need to research different platforms, learn design principles and coding languages, create content, and troubleshoot technical glitches. This can quickly eat up weeks, if not months or even years, of your precious time. Time you could be spending on growing your business, serving customers, and more.
• Costs of tools and resources: Even if you're going DIY, you'll still need to invest in tools and resources. Website builders (or content management systems, CMS) like Wix or Squarespace have monthly subscription fees. You'll also need to pay for hosting and a domain name and maybe even purchase premium plugins or themes. These costs can add up quickly.
• Hidden costs: Here's the big one – the opportunity cost of your time. While you're busy wrestling with website code, you're not generating revenue or focusing on your core business activities. Let's say you spend 10 hours a week on DIY website design for two months. If your hourly rate is $50, that's a whopping $4,000 in potential revenue lost.

Long story short, unless you know what you're doing (and I doubt you're reading this if you do), you're probably going to want to use one of the other two approaches.

What about using a website builder? 

This is the "Fast and Easy" option. 

You've probably seen adverts for website builders like Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify - platforms that have made it easier than ever to create a website without coding knowledge. 

But are they the right fit for your Edmonton business?

Well, there are pros and cons.

Website builders offer user-friendly interfaces, pre-designed templates, and drag-and-drop functionality. 

However, they can also be limiting in terms of customization and design flexibility. Unless you're technically minded, you're probably using a generic template - templates that thousands of other businesses use, so you're not exactly going to stand out.

What's more, there are monthly costs and limitations. 

Most website builders have monthly subscription fees ranging from $15 to $50 or more. They might also have limitations on storage, bandwidth, or the number of products you can sell (if you're going the eCommerce route).

If you're using a platform like WordPress, hosting can cost over $25 per month on a yearly contract, plus a custom theme can cost anywhere from $150 to over $3,000. 

Honestly, if you're a small business starting out and you have a low budget and really basic needs, like a simple portfolio or online brochure, this could be ideal. 

But if you need complex functionality, want a truly unique design, or you're ready to scale your business and offer a more professional experience to your customers, you'll probably outgrow these sites quickly, and will want to look into a custom build. 

How much does hiring a website design agency in Edmonton cost?

This is the "Leave it to the Pros" approach, and it gives you options.

This approach is typically best because you can bring on experts with years of experience who can build your project right the first time, and have the know-how to do a good job where everything is considered.

Sure, build your own website, but you typically don't know what you don't know. Experts in the industry do know. What's more, you have options. You could work with solo freelancers or an established web design firm. 

Of course, this costs a little more than doing it yourself, but when you look into the time and resource investments, as well as problem solving your own code, designs, and errors, and the money you make spending your saved time on other areas of your business, this can actually end up being the more affordable route.

The average cost ranges can vary widely depending on the agency's size, experience, and the complexity of your project. 

A freelance web developer might charge anywhere from $50 to $150 per hour, while a full-service agency could quote you a project fee between $5,000 and $20,000 or more.

Which is best for you? Well, cost-wise, there are a few things to think about.

How much should you spend on your Edmonton business website?

Let's run some more numbers to give you an idea of which is best for you.

Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all approach here - it's about finding what works for your business. 

Let's start with building the website yourself because it comes across as pretty easy since there are so many builder options and because it's the most affordable. 

Say you opt for Squarespace. You'll want the Business package, which starts at $23 per month or $276 per year.

On average, you'll spend about two weeks setting it up if you work on it a little every day (for a simple five-page website). However, this is under the notion that you know what you want. If you don't know the style, design, color palette, and branding you want, this can easily extend to months of trial and error.

This process usually involves playing with themes and templates, designing them, adding visuals, editing the blocks, writing and adding content, setting everything up, knowing what pages to put up, features to connect, and plugins to install.

Sure, AI tools can help with some of this as well, but do you really want your website filled with ChatGPT-generated content?

If you're going to buy a premade theme, you're looking at $200+ for a professional one. If you're building your own, you'll want the skills and experience to do a good job that gives your customers what they want.

This, on average, according to Wix's blog, a website takes up to three months to build a launch.

So, what it three months worth of time worth to you?

If you're starting out and making, say, $50,000 a year, three  months is costing you around $14,000. If you're splitting your time between running a full-time business and then building a proper website simultaneously, a website could quickly end up costing you thousands of dollars in sales, product development, business growth, and so much more.

And that doesn't even begin to focus on how you may burnout and stress during the process and all the negative consequences of that.

Again, if you're making a simple website, maybe a one-page website just to highlight your business, sure, this could work. 

But if you're looking for anything more, or you want to ensure it's actually set up for success from the start, professional development will always be worthwhile, and, perhaps surprisingly, far more cost-effective

Tips for getting the best value for your website design investment

Now you have a better grasp of the costs involved; I want to equip you with some insider tips to ensure you get the absolute best value for your website design investment. 

Consider this your simple cheat sheet for navigating the world of web design like a pro.

• Clear communication is key: Whether you're working with a freelance designer or a full-blown agency, clear communication is paramount. Before a single line of code is written, make sure you have a crystal-clear understanding of the project scope, timelines, and deliverables. Don't be shy about asking questions and voicing your expectations. Remember, you're a partner in this process!
• Content first approach: Think of your website content as the foundation of your online home. Before diving into design elements, map out your website's structure and key pages. What message do you want to convey? What information do your customers need? A content-first approach will streamline the design process and ensure your website is both beautiful and functional.
• SEO optimization from the get-go: Want your Edmonton business to be found on Google? Of course you do! Make sure your website is built with search engine optimization (SEO) in mind from the very beginning. This includes things like keyword research, optimized content, and a mobile-friendly design. A good web designer or agency will be well-versed in SEO best practices.
• Ongoing maintenance is a must. Remember that garden analogy? Your website needs ongoing care and attention to thrive. Factor in the costs of regular updates, security patches, and fresh content. This will ensure your website remains secure, up-to-date, and continues to attract visitors.

By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to maximizing your website design investment and building a powerful online presence for your Edmonton business

Final thoughts

Remember, your website is more than just a pretty online face – it's a powerful tool for attracting customers, building your brand, and growing your business.

Whether you choose the DIY route, partner with a talented local agency, or opt for the convenience of a website builder, prioritize clear communication, a content-first approach, and ongoing maintenance. 

And never underestimate the value of a professional, user-friendly online presence. Especially if you're working with a team like the one here at Ignite Web Design.

We balance the scales when it comes to cost and quality, providing tailor-made, custom packages and pricing options that scale with your business. This means you only pay for what your business needs in the here and now, and if you need more in the future, then we can sort that out.

There's no need to go all-out in the beginning and leave yourself at a loss. We win when you win, so that's our mission.

Contact Ignite Web Design today for a free consultation, and let's talk about how to develop a custom website strategy that aligns with your business goals and helps you achieve online success.