Creating a website or an eshop is an important step for any business or individual brand. One of the main issues to be addressed is cost. In this article, we’ll take a look at the factors that affect the cost of building a website/eshop, as well as some practical tips for saving money.
Table of Contents
1. What is involved in the cost of a website / eshop?
2. What determines cost
3. Practical tips for cost savings
4. How to choose the right service provider
5. Conclusions
6. Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is involved in the website / eshop cost?
Several different tasks and specialties are involved in the construction of a website or an eshop. In general we can divide the construction into the following phases.
1.1 Strategic Planning & Market Research
In this phase, the person interested in the construction of the website will be asked to develop his needs and goals to the Project Manager. The project manager will document them, research the market for best practices, and return to the client a comprehensive strategic plan on which to base the implementation, always tailored to the client’s financial capabilities. This phase is crucial and can last from minutes to months depending on the type of project.
Development Phase
This phase is the actual implementation phase of the project. A number of specialties are involved in this phase. The Back End Developer will ensure the functionality, the Front End Developer the User Interface and the user experience (UX), the graphic designer the visuals, the content writer the writing of the texts. All work is always performed based on the architectural design of phase 1.1
Testing and training phase
During this phase all parties test the project thoroughly and at all levels, trying to discover possible errors. The test is usually done in a test environment (server) identical to the hosting environment. From simple spelling and syntax to flaws in the way functions are performed. When the project passes the trial tests, the administrator is trained to handle the project…eg add or remove products, change images, write articles, etc. When the training is over the project is ready to go live.
Choosing a suitable hosting package & Domain name
In order for your page to work, you will need a hosting package (web hosting) and of course a domain name (Domain name). Both have annual fees and the usual tactic is to pay in advance. Especially the right choice of server plays a very important role in the speed with which your website is served to your audience and ultimately in the conversion of your visitors into customers.
Select Security and Maintenance level
Website security and maintenance of updates require special services and also have costs. Depending on the type of data stored on your website, the level of security can play a very important role and affect costs significantly.
2. What determines cost
Type of Website / eshop
The type of website or eshop is a key factor in determining the cost. A simple blog or personal website will be more affordable than a dynamic eshop that requires more functions.
Σύνθεση και Λειτουργίες
The complexity of the design and the extra functions significantly affect the cost. Examples include the shopping cart, payment system, product search, and other custom features that require more time and resources to develop.
Choice of CMS (Content Management System)
The choice of CMS is also important. Some CMS are free, like WordPress, but if you need an advanced system, you may need to pay for additional features and extensions.
Additions and Extensions
Additional features such as social media plugins, product review systems and customer reward systems add to the cost. Depending on the type of your business, these extensions may be necessary to improve your user and customer experience.
In summary, choosing the right type of website, features, CMS and plugins are factors that determine the cost of a website or eshop. When developing a website, it is important to carefully consider these factors in order to plan your budget and create a functional and effective website.
3. Practical tips for cost savings
- Target and Audience Definition: Know your audience and your goals to design a simple and effective website.
- Market and Competition Research: Study your competitors’ websites to get ideas and avoid overspending.
- Budget: Set a clear budget and try to stick to it, avoiding unnecessary additions.
- Maintenance and Update: Invest in permanent security and maintenance solutions to avoid future costs.
4. How to Choose the Right Service Provider
- Research the market: Compare providers’ services and prices.
- Search for reviews and comments: Read reviews and comments from other customers to choose a reliable provider.
- Customer Support: Make sure the provider offers good customer support as this is important for troubleshooting.
4. Conclusions
The cost of a website or an eshop depends on many factors and many times it is not possible to estimate without the proper level of understanding terms. What is definitely in your hands is to determine your goals, do your research and choose your providers carefully.
At Novatempus we have at the core of our values keeping the client fully informed of the costs involved. Our offers / technical specifications are detailed and fully costed.
