How Much Does Designing a Website Cost? (Updated for 2024)

Here’s a fun - and maybe startling - question: how old is your website?

Because of how long we’ve all been using the internet, many business owners may be on their second or third website - or perhaps you have a website that you built ten years ago, on your own or with the help of a tech-savvy friend.

And at some point, either now or in the future, your website will no longer represent your business as well as it once did. You might feel a sense of unease when you look at your website - you might even be completely frustrated with it - but not know exactly what to do to fix things.

Having a website that no longer supports your business adequately feels a little like having an outdated kitchen with appliances that aren’t working well. Your kitchen might feel dark rather than well-lit and bright, the sink isn’t large enough to comfortably wash your pans, things feel cramped while you’re prepping ingredients, and your frozen foods end up coated in ice crystals inside your freezer.

A website that no longer serves your business feels similarly limiting:

→ You’ve grown your services beyond what your website shows.

→ Your copy (the text) feels like it no longer represents your approach. 

→ There are elements in your website that aren’t working anymore (you’ve changed your email address, you are now on Instagram but not LinkedIn, or your contact form collects unhelpful  information from potential clients).

→ The overall design of your website doesn’t feel up-to-date or as attractive as it once did - it might even feel a little awkward now.

→ Your website feels more like an online business card than an active tool that helps your business work (and grow) smoothly.

A well-built website is a tool that can grow with your business and support you through changes, but that is dependent on having someone who regularly updates your website…or being able update it yourself.

Eventually, though, your website will need to be rebuilt. Platforms evolve, technology changes, and your business probably no longer looks like it did ten years ago.

This article will help you understand how to prepare and budget for a new website. A new website is an investment in the health and growth of your business, and it’s an investment to plan for in advance.

In this article, you’ll learn about:

1. The average cost to design a website (and why that range can be overwhelmingly large)

2. What Squarespace web designers charge (and why this group is a good potential resource)

3. How to choose a website designer 

4. How to avoid costly website mistakes 

At the end, you’ll have a clearer sense of what a new, professionally-designed website will cost, how to find the right website designer, and how to avoid a frustrating experience.

Let’s dive in!

1. What’s the Average Cost to Design a Website?

Of all the topics we’ll chat about, this one is the most broad (and vague!). 

That’s because you can find someone on UpWork who will build your website for $25 per hour - so you could potentially have a new website built for $500.

You can also potentially work with an agency that will charge you somewhere between $15,000 and $50,000 - or more, depending on the size of your business. 

Finding a web designer on a site like UpWork will almost certainly not be an option you’re happy with. Your website designer is unlikely to put much effort into understanding you, your business, and your needs. The communication is unlikely to be good, and the chance that your new website will support your business well is slim to none.

When you work with an agency, you are one of many clients. You may work with multiple designers, and you may have a great experience that way - or not. Particularly if you’re paying for a website package on the lower end of what an agency offers, you may not receive their best attention or efforts.

Spending a lot of money doesn’t guarantee a great website for your business - any more than spending very little does.

Most small business owners aren’t looking for the cheapest website possible - and most also don’t have 15k or more to spend on their new website. 

So to keep things as practical and helpful as possible, let’s talk about the middle range.

Forbes’ 2024 guide to website costs lists a more narrow range of $2,000 - $9,000 for small business website design, and as a website designer who knows many other website designers and what they charge, I would agree with them. 

There are specific factors that can push a website toward the lower or higher end of that range. These would include things like the size of a business and their website needs, but also includes a web designer’s specific skills and experience.

2. What Squarespace web designers charge

Most small business owners want an engaging, user-friendly website that represents their business well - without requiring them to take out a second mortgage. 

So let’s talk about Squarespace web designer pricing. Squarespace is a great platform for small business owners, and the price range is a bit more narrow.

Here are the top three reasons why I think Squarespace is a great choice for most small business websites:

1. Squarespace is user-friendly: you can make small changes to your own website with ease.

2. Squarespace keeps your website updated for you. No frequent, frustrating reminders that you need to update plugins, security, or anything else (unlike WordPress).

3. Squarespace websites are SEO-friendly (which makes Google happy)

Jeremy and I build all of our websites on Squarespace. We like the intersection of design freedom and simplicity of use that Squarespace offers and, year after year, feel like it is the best option for the business owners we work with.

Squarespace web designer pricing tends to be in a more narrow range, as well, which is helpful for knowing how to budget for a new website.

Pricing for a professionally-built Squarespace website tends to have a starting range of about $2,500 - $3,500 or a bit more. That will likely be for a smaller website that is fairly straightforward (without a lot of integrations or coding) that offers simple functionality. 

Adding a blog, a gated course area, or integrations like scheduling will increase the price. I’ll use our pricing as an example:

We fall toward the top of that range, with our first website package priced at $3,500. Our rates reflect the high conversion rate of the websites we build (aka how much money they make for our clients!) as well as our years of experience.

There are other factors that influence what Squarespace web designers charge, as well.

For example, if you want a fully-custom-coded website on Squarespace that has a completely unique, from-scratch look and feel, you can expect to pay a few thousand more. These folks have seriously invested in their creative skills, and you’ll end up with a website that reflects that.

3. How to Choose a Website Designer

Once you know how to plan for your website budget, you can start looking for a web designer in your range who feels like a great fit.

While not all web designers list pricing on their websites, many do - and they will often list what each package includes. This makes it easier to plan accurately for cost - do you need commerce? A blog? A way to book services directly through your website? 

Look for the package that fits you best - and if you don’t see the options you need, just ask. A good designer will be able to listen to your business goals and offer clear guidance. (Most of us don’t want to build more website than you need, and we also want you to feel fully supported by your new website!)

After checking out a few web designers, reach out to the ones who interest you. Most designers offer a free discovery call, and this is the best way to see if you’re a good fit to work together. You are trusting a web designer to create your audience’s first impression of you, so finding the right fit will be worth every minute you spend.

When you talk with a web designer, be sure to ask about their process and policies:

→ Will you both have deadlines to adhere to that will allow your website to launch on a specific date? Or will the project be open-ended, allowing you to submit content when you are ready and have your website completed on a flexible schedule?

→ When is payment due? (we ask for a 50% deposit upon signing a contract, with the other half due on completion of the website - and this is probably somewhat standard). 

→ If you need a payment plan, now is the time to ask if that’s a possibility. Not all web designers will offer that, but it’s fine to ask.

→ Will you have full access to the website at the end of the project? Or will the web designer hold the keys and make updates for you?

→ If you are planning to work with a website designer down the road rather than in the very near future, ask them if you should plan for a price increase. As with all service-based businesses, website designers do raise their rates - often once a year or more.

4. How to Avoid A Bad Web Design Experience

I’ve heard from numerous business owners about unfortunate, frustrating experiences when working with a website designer.

Just like other service industries, there are great web designers and not-so-great web designers. Many service providers treat their clients with respect, integrity, and care while bringing their best work to each project - but not everyone does that.

Here are three ways you can give yourself the best experience possible when working with a professional website designer:

1. Look at a designer’s portfolio. Check out the other websites they’ve built. If you were one of these business owners, would you be happy with your website?

2. Get on the phone with the designer. Having a conversation will allow you both to ask questions, get to know each other, and get a sense of whether you will enjoy working together.

3. Make sure you understand the designer’s policies and procedures; these should be clear. Read the contract and other initial documents thoroughly. The contract protects both the web designer and you - don’t proceed without one in place. If you have questions about the contract or other documents, ask the website designer (or an attorney) prior to signing.

Finally, listen to your gut. If things just don’t feel quite right, there’s likely a reason. Keep looking; you’ll find a great website designer to work with…and your new website will be worth all of the effort.

Whether you’re in need of a new website now or simply want to know what to expect when the time comes, I hope this guide has been helpful. If you have thoughts or questions about anything I’ve said, please leave a comment below or send me an email. 

Know something needs to change on your website - but aren’t sure where to start?

A website strategy session is a perfect next step. We’ll give you a clear list of actionable steps you can take to improve your website (and, if you want us to rebuild it for you, we’ll credit the cost of your strategy session toward your new website).