Website Design and SEO What Does it Cost?

 What does a business web design for internet marketing cost?

Work in Square Space http://www.squarespace.com/

One of the most important questions asked by local business owners and entrepreneurs seeking to find out how a website and internet marketing plan can help my business and what does it cost?”

The answers to these important concerns depend on many factors and the information presented here from my own research is intended to provide help and understanding.

Who is this research intended to help?

• Small and medium-sized local businesses
• Entrepreneurs in the start-up and development stages

• Local market professionals and privately owned businesses

What is the purpose of this web-design and SEO research?

This study covers important aspects of how a business can promote their interests and success using a well-designed website and social media marketing.

The background to this study is as follows.

In 2009 I began to develop websites based on market research around small target markets, called “niche” markets, to promote products and services that matched the needs uncovered.  This is a part of internet-marketing used by most businesses.

It didn’t take long to realize how extensive and comprehensive the knowledge and technical expertise were needed and the time required to manage and implement these website marketing strategies.

Frankly, I was overwhelmed with what I had to learn for several years.

The seed for this research was my effort to quickly find other internet marketing professionals to outsource work to where my knowledge of specific elements was limited in the process of building and marketing via my websites.

This was the origin of my research over several years, to find what was needed to market my websites, determine what the benefits were of internet marketing, building a program, and understand the costs for these services.

Since the initial research, I periodically update the study in an effort to stay on top of costs and trends for internet marketing.

NOTE: In the information that follows, I will use the term “Web-design/SEO” to describe all the elements included in marketing your business through a website and social media.  The terminology will be explained as we go.

The following study covers a lot of valuable and relevant information on the subject of what you need and what it costs, so feel free to refer to the clickable Table of Contents above to find specific topics.

Last, in the interest of transparency and full disclosure, this research (as accurate and extensive as possible) is home grown research on my part. In addition, today I am also in the Internet Marketing service business providing many of these services to my customers.

What is “Business Internet Marketing?”

The various disciplines and professional skills and knowledge covering how to promote a business through Web-design/SEO is quite extensive, and a basic understanding of themis  helpful

For the target markets described (local business, entrepreneurs and professionals) it may be helpful to view the following categories of Web-design/SEO needed..

• Market Research – Determining your market’s size, demographics, competition, and opportunities. This includes the important element of “Keyword” research for the terms people use to search for your type of business.

• Website Development Planning – Figure out how your website will actually support and promote the business plan, and lay out clear objectives for what the website should accomplish.

• Website Design & Creation – Pinpoint the type of website needed (Blog, e-Commerce, News, etc.) and design the architecture, “Theme” and functionality that best supports your objectives.  In a study by The Daily Egg they found “Of all the factors that were mentioned (by consumers) for rejecting or mistrusting a website, 94% were design related…“

• Search Engine Optimization – The process of optimizing all aspects of your website’s internal structure and content and external promotion to gain search visibility by the search engines (Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc.). All internal & external factors to promote your website and attract visitors with the support of the search engines are referred to as “SEO”.

• Content Management – Creating and optimizing quality website content (Pages, Blog Posts, Displays, etc.) through topical research, copy writing and SEO.

• Social Media Marketing – Using social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Google+, etc.) to promote your business, your brand and build a following to promote and drive traffic to your website.

• Analytics –Setting up various tracking systems to provide regular reports on the number of visitors to both your website and social media account, the conversion rates (how many people take a desired action), what website content and keywords have the highest interest, and many more metrics specific to your needs.

It does not matter whether you are a large successful company, a local business or professional, or a home-based e-Commerce entrepreneur, successful Web-design/SEO marketing involves the effective application of all these factors to one degree or another.

Why do I need a Website marketing plan?

At the outset, it is important to get a picture of what a successful Web-design/SEO program can accomplish for your business

Is there a real opportunity for business growth and sales for a Local Business?  I believe in seeing what the large companies do and what is trending…then scale it to my business and market.

[ultimatetables 2 /]

There is good news and good news here…

First, a well-crafted and executed Web-design/SEO marketing plan can have positive effect on almost any business. Further, the results from the time and expense of implementing the right plan can be readily measured.  If it is not working, make changes, end your effort, and/or fire your Web-design/SEO service provider.

In the broadest sense, there are three ways to get all these Web-design/SEO elements in place for your business.

• Do it yourself (DIY)
• Hire someone to do it
• Alternatives

Since the purpose of my research over the years, as presented here, is to determine ‘what you need, why you need it and what it will cost, let’s start with why you might consider hiring someone and what’s involved.

Data Source: Iron Paper*

Web-design/SEO Strategies that promote your business interest

Designing a well-integrated marketing plan for both your website and your social media can accomplish a number of valuable results and foremost among these is “potential customer traffic.”.

Creating traffic, qualified buyer traffic, is among the top goals of Web-design/SEO.  If you can get a growing volume of new and repeat visitors to your website, you are presented with the opportunity to grow your business.

In simple terms, an integrated website-social media plan can drive people to your website.  Done properly, over time you can refine strategies to drive more qualified visitors, called “buyer traffic” to your website.

As part of a good website design, if you don’t think making it mobile responsive ready is important, consider this statistic. If you have “Gen Y” customers in your mix, according to Our Social Times …

   Source: Our Social Times

What will Web/SEO Services Cost Your Business

NOTE: Resource references are included at the end of this study

A caution is in order here.  Our study presents a number of different cost structures and price ranges, so read through all of our research to get the full picture.

Market Research and Keyword Determination

The relative costs for a large established business, with an advertising and marketing budget and perhaps staff, could include;

• Developing a marketing plan
• Market and customer research
• Keyword research and analysis
• Competition research
• Much more depending on needs and can be customized.

Current web-design cost research findings

There are so many different resources available both locally and on the internet to get a website from “free” to expensive and everything in between.  It is important to note that while the cost of service for designing and setting up a website varies significantly, the quality services tend to bunch into fairly common price ranges.

Typical Costs -Here are some typical cost estimates for a Web-design and development website with custom functionality (needed by most businesses).   Our research shows a range of $1,000 to $5,000+.  This is a wide range but a fair overview of what’s out there.

• According to Joellyn ‘Joey’ Sargent at Joey’s Blog (1) a full scale marketing research plan for a larger business can run from $2,500 – $15,00o from ad agencies or Marketing Specialists or on a smaller scale you might expect to pay a freelance researcher from $750 – 5,000. I have found that you might find local or online research freelancers in a range of $30 – 75 per hour. Remember, you must be careful.  You get what you pay for in most cases.
• A quality and custom functioning web-design and set-up will likely be in the $1,000 – 2,000 area. This would involve a basic operational structure.  If you require additional custom coding, it can run to as much as $75 per hour.
• Locally, in the Cincinnati, Ohio market where I operate, you will see typical web-design set up costs in the $1,000 – 2,500 range. According to thumbtack.com in Cincinnati, the “average cost is $1,800”.  I see Pre-built template and Custom Responsive designs from $2,500 – $5,000+

It is very interesting to note how the costs for website design and set-up have changed over time and to see how they have leveled off and somewhat stabilized at the lower cost end of the market.

Source: Design Services

Search Engine Optimization Costs

The ongoing cost of professional search engine optimization can run from an hourly rate of $50 or more and can be based on your budget (e.g. 2-3 hours a week) to as much as $2,500 a month.  Inbound marketing type services can run $3,000 or more. (2) You may be able to locate a local SEO firm, depending on your market, that can usually get good results for $1,000 or so a month.

You will find a variety of payment methods, from lump sum, to monthly fees, and hourly arrangements.  Most would require a minimum amount or time period for service.  The project-based method has become popular for businesses. This is custom based pricing created specifically for a given client.” (3)

There are a number of online or local market firms that offer “packages” that are designed to scale the services at different price points.  One good example online is a company called reliablesoft.com that has a well-thought-out pricing structure from $500 to $1.500 a month (4). In this “project-based” SEO pricing model, you may see a contract or retainer of $750 and up per month.

Moz Survey of SEO Service Costs

One of my favorite website resources for all things “internet marketing” is a company well-known in the industry called Moz  In 2011, Moz conducted an extensive global survey on SEO of over 600 services providers on pricing, including a high percentage from America. (5)  The info is 2011 and I have not since an update but their results continue to reflect what I am seeing today.

• Hourly rates from $70+ to $200+
• Project pricing ranges from $1,000 – 7,500
• Monthly Service Retainer from $250 – $500 on the low range to $$2,500 and up on the higher range

Outsourcing Your SEO

Outsourcing may work in some cases.  There are many “freelancers” that will do SEO for a business at hourly rates of $20 to over $200.  The caution here is to do your research and demand examples and testimonials.  This is particularly true where the freelancer is in a foreign country.  Many do quality work, but the time zone difference and inability to talk directly to resolve issues can be a tough way to go in my view.

You can do a “Google” search for website, or SEO freelancers, and you will get many additional resources.

Local Cincinnati SEO Costs

In my local Cincinnati, Ohio mid-west type market, I see SEO packages with monthly price points of $99, $250 & $500+ all based on levels of service.  A $1,00o for a Project based package seems common. Most local companies in your market ask you to “request a quote” making comparisons a bit harder.  I guess they are wanting to avoid their competitors.  That said, you can do a web search for your market and pick out a few to call to get a price range.

What about Social Media Marketing Services

The popularity and reach of social media makes a marketing strategy integrated with your website a valuable consideration.  If you already have a website but not much social media marketing, you may be interested in the research into these costs and services.

• Custom designed services using templates or best practice processes from $1,000 – $3,000+ per month (6) )
• Managing your social media editorial calendar from $500 and up. Creating your social media strategy $500 per engagement. Hiring a freelancer or outsourcing for posting to your social media and coordinating with your website blog from $50 per hour to $500 or more per month. (1)

Creating, managing specific social media channels may fit a number of businesses.  This is true particularly where your research determines that a specific social media channel is in higher use by your typical customers.

Much of the social media dynamic evolves around the use of “smart phones” for both Website and Social Media viewing.  According to Statista.com, in 2012 there were over 82 million smartphone users and by 2017 there will be 160 million+.  Think website design integrated with social media in a mobile responsive way.  Might not get that in a free or low-ball website design.

Photo / Pixabay / CC BY CCO Public Domain

Cost estimates by Social Media Channel (9): 

• Creating & Managing a Twitter Account can run anywhere from $1,000 per month to over $4,000 for larger companies.
• Building and managing a full service Facebook channel can range from $ from$2,500 to well over $5,000.

For a high-end, full service professional provider like The Content Factory (7)  providing social media marketing, web and social media content writing, content marketing and public relations, you can pay $8,000 per month.  You get 3 blogs posts a week and monitoring of social media accounts and more.

In our Cincinnati market, I am familiar with a quality firm that offers solid social media marketing services to small and medium-sized businesses on a 6 month contract for $350 a month.

What will Content Creation Cost?

As indicated prior, creating quality and high-converting website and social media content is a driving force behind building your brand and generating traffic to your website and social media followers.

Just how important is “content marketing” to a business website?

According to the Content Marketing Institute, 2015:

Over 70% of Business to Consumer Companies use a content marketing strategy

Almost 60% of businesses plan to increase their content marketing budget

Business marketing with a Website Blog as a priority activity are 13 times more likely to get a positive ROI (Hubspot, 2014)

What might it cost for a small business/entrepreneur to outsource content creation and management?

• Monthly content creation, curation and management can run from $500 – $3,000 per month (6)
• Content management for your website Blog promotion for $200 to  $750 a month (8)

In the local Cincinnati market, where M D Moore Marketing is located, the cost for quality content creation and copy writing services ranges from $30 or more per hour.  The average time for a well-researched blog article is usually 2 – 3 hours. In our market $90 – 100 or more per website article is not at all uncommon.

Can I Do Website Internet Marketing Myself?

By now your head is probably reeling as you contemplate the service pricing structures from m research. I don’t blame you.  When I got started looking into the costs for the various elements required for successful internet marketing seemed over-whelming.

I found over time, I could locate reasonably priced Web-design/SEO services but that depends totally on how much you can afford and what reasonable return on investment you might expect…but there are no guarantees.

When you start to realize how important and beneficial internet-marketing could be for your business, and the real costs for services, it does bring the DIY approach into consideration.

Can a reasonable business owner, professional or entrepreneur contemplate doing all this themselves? The answer is Yes, Maybe and No!

Frankly, in my experience, most attempts at DIY Web-design/SEO fail.  They fail not because a business owner or staff  member aren’t smart enough or are unable to master the technical aspects.  Rather, the lack of success is based on these factors.

1. They find the learning curve required to do it correctly long and expensive.
2. The time to actually do it, even if you learn how,  can easily exceed 10 hours a week. You got 10+ hours a week hanging around?
3. Finding the right training and direction is either expensive or hit and miss.

There is another important factor. What is your time worth?  Most really successful business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals will make far more money doing what they do best.

There are internet marketing rules and regulations.  You have an ever changing search engine ranking system for websites indexing and ranking.  You may have heard of Google’s “Penguin” and “Panda” named changes to their algorithms that determine how a site gets indexed and ranked & how they get downgraded.

Google which has the majority of the search market is constantly changing the rules effecting how your website gets ranked.

The idea of a truly free or low-cost websites with little or no work to set-up and operate is not something I have come across.  That said, there are some popular sites that make a website with per-determined set-up in a template format available, such as Shopify, Wix, Weebly and others. See our Blog post on “low cost DIY 

You may find the flexibility and functionality you really need may not be available.  It takes time and there is a real learning curve in most cases.

The Entrepreneurial and Small Business “Can Do Mentality”

Many, if not most, self-made business people are imprinted with the ‘I can do it myself’, and why not.  Most have had to do almost everything to start and grow their business. For the first 20 years of my professional career, I owned my own financial services firm and definitely did “too” much myself, but I understand the tendency.

I believe a motivated and reasonably smart person, with some ability to learn technical stuff, can gain the knowledge to undertake much of what internet marketing requires.

To be fair to yourself, remember the elements that go into most of the Web-design/SEO internet marketing processes and procedures:

• Market research
• Graphics design
• Website software implementation
• Website functionality development
• Internal & external SEO
• Content writing for Pages & Posts
• Social Media account management and promotions
• Tracking and analytics
• Changes & modifications based on industry trends and search engine rules changes

Again, it can be done, but is the price in terms of time, effort and energy worth it?

I found a good article on the DIY approach at Joey’s Blog –  See below (1)

The Benefits of Webdesign and SEO services

Balance the DIY approach with these benefits of Web-design/SEO services:

1. Knowledge and experience with the elements of Web-design/SEO
2. Paying for exactly what you need, when you need it at a price you chose to afford
3. Design experience and quick website activation
4. Ability to customize your website and social media properties to fit your needs and functionality
5. A resource to bounce ideas off of to save time and avoid mistakes
6. Free your time to do “what you do best”
7. Let the provider hire or contract people and deal with employees (you have your own problems)
   Someone to blame when it doesn’t work!

What to Avoid in Contracting for Website and SEO Services

First, in the internet marketing arena it simply is not possible to guarantee any result.  That’s why a well thought-out plan with analytics and tracking mechanisms is paramount.

Guaranteeing or holding out the promise of top search engine ranking for your website content is a foolish pipe dream.

Over-promising on the turn-around time for completion or for results of your marketing efforts is a problem.  This stuff takes time, even in the best of circumstances.

In many cases, poor performing web-design/SEO service providers get exposed rather quickly.  Check everyone out. Get references. Review samples of their work.  Use your gut and best judgement when making a service decision. Here is a great article that covers things to watch for at Search Engine Watch.

Summary of Estimate Web-design and SEO Costs

The research uncovered for this study has allowed me to develop a chart for my reference and for those interested in a solid over-view.

[ultimatetables 1 /]

* Source: MOZ Study (5)

Alternative Web-design/SEO and Social Media Marketing Services

At the outset, I mentioned the three means for a business to develop a website and marketing system to promote their business; DIY, Hire a Service, and use an “Alternative.”  The “alternative approach” is a Hybrid where the business learns to execute key elements of the plan themselves and collaborates with a service on other key pieces better done professionally.

This, I am proud to say, is the idea and vision of our business.  I struggled to learn how to do all this for myself and then concluded that there were many busineeses who need the significant benefits of a Web-design/SEO program but the cost just was a stopper.  That lead to getting “outside the box” and creating a plan called M4 that combined providing businesses with the website design and set up tailored to their needs and providing them with a training program to learn how to execute specific steps in the marketing plan.

The result, a first class internet marketing program for their business at an affordable price.

This research presented here is intended to share the information I uncovered and …not a “sales page.” So, if you might have some interest in our M4 alternative Web-design/SEO program, please click the button below and take a look.

Resources

Market Research

(1) Joey’s Blog

(2) In Touch Marketing

(3) Search Engine

(4) Reliable Soft

(5) Moz Study

(6) Mack Collier.com

(7) The Content Factory

(8) Web Design.About

(9) Social Media Channel

Marketing Research Association

American Marketing Association (ref. Directoy)

(*) Data Points

Iron Paper – http://www.ironpaper.com/webintel/articles/10-web-design-statistics/#.VrYIlFgrK9I

Outsource

https://www.elance.com/social-media-marketing-consultants-jobs/570

Fiverr.com

Elance.com  (an Upwork company)

Upwork.com