So, now that we have that covered, let’s talk about how the type of website you want to build factors in to the cost.

To dig a little deeper in to the previous point about complexity, I’m going to walk you through a few different types of websites and what to be on the lookout for when it comes to figuring out the cost for your web project.

Just like the way you approach building your website has an affect on the cost, the kind of website you’re trying to create will also factor in, so let’s look at a few different kinds of websites and things to look out for.

Blog

Blogs are sites that creators, artists, businesses and more, use to promote their ideas and expertise. They’re used to establish the author’s subject matter expertise, advocate for a cause, deliver opinions on a topic that’s meaningful to the author and so much more.

The good thing about blogs is that the features required to create a really good one are not too complex and getting started with a blog can be done pretty quickly.

Using a platform like WordPress and a quality theme are usually about all you need to get started. For established influencers and bigger, more popular blogs, the needs become more complex.

Hiring a service or going the DIY route is a great way to get started with a blog.

Feature and design requirements for a blog usually start fairly simple, but as your blog grows your needs are likely to get more complex too, so the cost of building out those needs will grow over time.

Personal portfolio and resume sites

One of the things that job seekers need to do is put their best on display so they can market their knowledge, skills, and abilities to land their dream job.

These kinds of sites don’t require a lot of functionality, or complex features, but they do require excellent design.

The most important part of these kinds of sites is the presentation. You’re marketing yourself, so put your knowledge, skills, abilities and ability to deliver results in the best possible light with this kind of site.

These kinds of sites are a great fit for using a service to get them done quickly and professionally, or you could always do it yourself with these due to how simple the design and feature requirements are here.

Business sites

These are sites that you use as a resource for your business and provide your target audience with engaging information about who you are, what you do, and why they should do business with you.

Basic business sites don’t always have a lot of high-level functionlity (e-commerce shop, membership, etc.), but there is usually a lot of information.

Business sites will often include blogs and other news-type content that help establish themselves as thought-leaders and and leaders in their industry.

These sites may sometimes start simple but most I’ve worked on and seen are best done by the professionals, so working with a freelancer or an agency is usually the best path to follow here.

Non-profit websites

Non-profit sites are really closely related to business websites in terms of how they’re designed and the features and functions they use.

The big difference comes in terms of what’s needed to facilitate donations, and any kind of member-related features that are needed.

Like business sites, these sites are best built by using a freelancer or an agency to get it done right.

E-Commerce sites

E-Commerce websites are web shops and have products and services for sale on the site and are the primary purpose of the site.

I got my start in web development working in e-commerce and building e-commerce sites and I love everything about them.

These are sites that offer physical products, or digital products, or a mixture of both.

The challenges that make e-commerce sites come from the more robust functionality, security and

The features associated with e-commerce shops can be rather complicated too. A couple examples are sites like customstix.com, and rag-muffins.com.

Finding someone who specializes in e-commerce is vital for these kinds of sites.

Membership Sites

One of my favorite sites that I’ve been a part of for more than a decade is a sports membership site for my alma mater, FSU.

Membership sites are those sites where a website owner provides premium, and privileged content. That means that normal non-member website visitors aren’t able to access the site unless they register and become a member.

Some membership sites are free, others require a subscription fee. It can be a one-time fee, or it can be an ongoing fee that’s charged automatically.

Membership sites are particularly complex with a lot of complex functionality. Payment gateways, subscription frameworks, member roles and access level permissions, and more all go in to the calculations when estimating the cost of this kind of site.

Like e-commerce sites, working with an agency or a freelancer who specializes in membership sites is the way to go.