In the ever-evolving landscape of web development, content management systems (CMS) play a crucial role in simplifying the process of creating and managing digital content. Joomla and WordPress are two of the most popular CMS and approximately 45% of the world’s websites are built with these two platforms. However, while there are definitely cases where Joomla’s more advanced built-in features make it the best solution for some, the majority of users seem to prefer WordPress’s more modern styling and ease of use. But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s learn the highlights of each CMS to weigh the pros and cons of each.

Table of Contents:

1. What is Joomla
2. Notable Users of Joomla
3. The Benefits of Joomla
4. The Drawbacks of Joomla
5. What is WordPress?
6. The Popularity of WordPress
7. Notable Companies and Government Entities
8. The Benefits of WordPress
9. The Drawbacks of WordPress
10. Migrating From Joomla to WordPress
11. Moving Joomla Content to a WordPress Site
12. Templates and Themes
13. Platform Differences

What is Joomla?

Joomla is an open-source content management system that enables the creation and management of dynamic websites and online applications. Launched in 2005, Joomla has evolved into a powerful platform, recognized for its flexibility, scalability, and powerful features. Powered by PHP and MySQL, Joomla allows users to build websites, ranging from simple personal blogs to complex enterprise solutions. With over 2 million active websites, Joomla has a dedicated community of developers, designers, and users contributing to its growth and improvement.

Notable Users of Joomla

Joomla has found favor with a diverse range of users, including some of the world’s biggest companies and government entities. Notable adopters of Joomla include:

Harvard University:

The prestigious Ivy League institution relies on Joomla to manage various aspects of its web presence, demonstrating the CMS’s ability to handle the needs of complex educational institutions.

IKEA:

The global furniture retailer IKEA utilizes Joomla for its online presence, showcasing the platform’s adaptability for managing e-commerce websites with a vast array of products.

United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe (UNRIC)

As part of the United Nations network, UNRIC employs Joomla to disseminate information effectively and engage with the public on critical global issues.

Benefits of Joomla

Joomla’s widespread adoption can be attributed to its numerous advantages:

Advanced Built-In Features:

Joomla ships with many features that other CMS don’t have. Access levels with granular permissions, selectable modular placement of content, access controls for member-only content, built in languages and on-page SEO controls make it one of the most flexible platforms available without the need for third-party extensions.

Extensive Customization:

With a vast collection of templates and extensions, Joomla allows users to customize their websites to meet specific requirements. This flexibility makes it suitable for a wide range of industries and purposes.

Scalability:

Whether you’re starting with a small blog or managing a large-scale enterprise website, Joomla scales effectively. Its modular architecture enables the addition of features and functionalities as a website grows.

Affordability:

Joomla itself is free as are many of the extensions available for it. Commercial extensions are usually incredibly inexpensive.

Community Support:

Joomla boasts a vibrant and active community of developers, designers, and users who contribute to forums, documentation, and extensions. This communal support ensures that help is readily available for troubleshooting and customization.

However, like any platform, Joomla is not without its challenges. While there are many excellent reasons to use Joomla, there are at least as many reasons to not use Joomla.

The Drawbacks of Joomla

Learning Curve:

One of the primary drawbacks of Joomla lies in its steeper learning curve compared to WordPress. While the user interface is supposed to be designed to be user-friendly, the complexity of Joomla’s architecture and terminology can pose a challenge for beginners. Maintaining a Joomla site with regular content updates usually requires more of a time effort, even for those who are proficient using it.

Limited Extensions Quality:

Joomla boasts an extensive library of extensions and plugins that can enhance the functionality of a website. However, the quality and reliability of these extensions can vary. Some extensions may not be regularly updated or may not adhere to best practices, potentially leading to compatibility issues and security vulnerabilities. Users need to exercise caution and thoroughly vet extensions before incorporating them into their Joomla websites.

Smaller Community Compared to WordPress:

While Joomla has an active and supportive community, it is smaller compared to the community surrounding platforms like WordPress. A smaller community can mean fewer resources, tutorials, and third-party integrations available for users. Additionally, finding specific solutions or troubleshooting assistance may take longer due to the reduced pool of community members.

Limited Themes and Designs:

While Joomla does offer a variety of templates and themes, the selection is not as vast as some other content management systems, particularly when compared to the extensive library available for WordPress. This can limit design options and may require additional customization efforts to achieve a unique and visually appealing website.

Outdated Styling and Clunky UI

While Joomla extensions do tend to have very advanced features and robust settings, the styling of most of the extensions seems to be given very little thought. Styling on a great number of extensions hasn’t changed much at all over the last 15 years and are reminiscent of the old “Tron” era of UI.

An Update System from Hell

Although there are those in the Joomla community who would argue that there is not a thing wrong with Joomla’s method of updating, most users move away from Joomla exactly because of the issues surrounding the update process. There are no automatic updates in Joomla that will update Joomla and its extensions automatically, updating from one major version to another (like updating from Joomla 3 to Joomla 4) often requires a complete template rewrite if the site’s styling is to remain the same. Many Joomla extensions are not compatible in all versions of Joomla and must be researched each time an update is available. Many things can go wrong in a Joomla update, and costs to update from one major version to another can be pricey.

Joomla, with its strengths and weaknesses, continues to be a viable choice for many web developers and businesses. Understanding the disadvantages highlighted in this guide allows users to make informed decisions based on their specific needs and preferences. Like any content management system, Joomla requires careful consideration of its pros and cons to ensure a successful and secure web development journey.

What is WordPress?

WordPress is an open-source content management system (CMS) that simplifies the process of creating, managing, and publishing digital content on the web. Initially launched in 2003 as a blogging platform, it has since grown into a versatile CMS that powers websites of all types and sizes. Built on PHP and MySQL, WordPress’s strength lies in its user-friendly interface, extensive customization options, and a vibrant ecosystem of themes and plugins.

The Popularity of WordPress

WordPress dominates the CMS landscape, commanding a staggering market share. As of the latest statistics, WordPress powers over 40% of all websites on the internet. This astronomical figure speaks to the platform’s widespread adoption and its ability to cater to the diverse needs of users across the globe.

Notable Companies and Government Entities

WordPress has become the go-to choice for various high-profile entities, including:

The White House:

The official website of the United States’ government, whitehouse.gov, is powered by WordPress. This demonstrates the platform’s robustness and scalability, handling the digital presence of one of the world’s most influential governments.

The Walt Disney Company:

A global entertainment giant, Disney relies on WordPress for several of its websites, showcasing the platform’s versatility in managing content for diverse audiences and purposes.

The New York Times:

A renowned media outlet, The New York Times uses WordPress to power parts of its digital presence. This highlights the platform’s capability to handle the content demands of large-scale news organizations.

The Benefits of WordPress

User-Friendly Interface:

WordPress’s intuitive dashboard allows users, regardless of technical expertise, to create and manage content effortlessly. This user-friendly approach has contributed significantly to its popularity.

Extensive Customization Options:

With a vast library of themes and plugins, WordPress offers unparalleled customization possibilities. Users can tailor their websites to suit specific aesthetics and functionalities, making it a flexible solution for various industries.

Scalability:

Whether you’re running a personal blog or managing a complex e-commerce site, WordPress scales seamlessly. Its modular architecture accommodates growth, allowing users to expand their websites as their needs evolve.

Active Community Support:

The WordPress community is a thriving ecosystem of developers, designers, and users. This network ensures that help, support, and resources are readily available, fostering collaboration and innovation.

SEO-Friendly:

WordPress is inherently SEO-friendly, incorporating features that contribute to better search engine visibility. Plugins such as Yoast SEO further enhance the platform’s capabilities in optimizing content for search engines.

Automatic Update System:

Website updates ensure that the site is receiving regular security patches to cover any found vulnerabilities. They also introduce modern technological advances and trends so that sites can continue to keep up with the technological advances of the day. WordPress recently introduced an automated update system that allows site administrators the ability to switch on and off automated updates for the WordPress core, each installed theme, and each plugin. This allows the site to continue to run smoothly with little to no intervention at all.

Ease of Use

WordPress is the GOAT when it comes to an easy to use interface. It ships with a visual block editor that allows the user to add content and media and arrange the content with a simple drag-and-drop interface. In addition, visual page-building plugins can allow point and click ease for adding or editing content just as it is seen on the site.

The Drawbacks of WordPress

Now we will explore some of the disadvantages associated with using WordPress, shedding light on aspects that users and developers should consider when choosing this content management system.

Security Concerns:

WordPress’s immense popularity makes it an attractive target for hackers and malicious actors. While the WordPress core itself is secure and regularly updated, vulnerabilities can emerge due to poorly coded themes and plugins. Users need to exercise caution and keep their themes, plugins, and the WordPress core up to date to mitigate security risks.

Performance Issues:

As websites grow in complexity, the sheer number of plugins and customizations available for WordPress can sometimes result in performance issues. A poorly optimized website, laden with unnecessary plugins, may experience slower loading times, affecting the user experience. Careful selection and optimization of plugins are crucial to maintaining optimal performance.

Dependency on Plugins:

While plugins extend the functionality of WordPress, an overreliance on them can lead to compatibility issues and potential security vulnerabilities. Additionally, if a plugin is abandoned by its developers, users may face challenges finding alternatives or adapting to changes in the WordPress ecosystem.

While WordPress undeniably stands as a powerhouse in the world of content management systems, acknowledging its limitations is essential for users and developers. Each disadvantage should be weighed against the platform’s myriad strengths to determine whether WordPress is the right fit for a particular project. With proper maintenance, security practices, and strategic decision-making, many of these disadvantages can be mitigated, allowing users to harness the power of WordPress effectively.

Migrating From Joomla to WordPress

Unfortunately, there is no point and click method of automatically recreating your Joomla website as a WordPress website. There are many steps that need to be taken in order to achieve a WordPress replica of your Joomla site.

Moving Joomla Content to a WordPress Site

Because of the platform differences, much of the “content” on each Joomla page is really a combination of articles and modules. With Joomla, there is no built-in method to export the content so a third-party extension will need to be uploaded to the site. Most of these extensions will only export the “Articles” content and not the module’s content, so expect that you will be manually recreating the pages one at a time regardless of your approach. Because WordPress does have a built-in import tool, the content can easily be uploaded to the new WordPress site once it has been combined. However, your styling will have to be applied manually and it is likely that it won’t just appear in the same blocks and layouts as it did in your Joomla website.

Templates and Themes

Although Joomla uses “templates” and WordPress uses “themes”, there is relatively no difference between the two. However, a Joomla template is written just for Joomla and can’t be used on a WordPress site. One of the biggest challenges of recreating a Joomla site with WordPress is to find a WordPress theme that has a layout that closely resembles the Joomla site that you are trying to duplicate.

At Moore Tech Solutions we develop themes internally so recreating an almost exact replica is not challenging for us. However, if you lack the HTML, CSS and PHP knowledge to create a custom theme then you will likely either need to find someone else to create the site for you or you will need to find a theme that has similar styling and be willing to accept the differences.

Platform Differences

Regardless of whether you are rebuilding a Joomla site in WordPress or rebuilding a WordPress site in Joomla, there are going to be slight differences. The styling in WordPress is usually a bit more modern, so things may look a bit sleeker. UI items like buttons, tabs, and FAQ sliders may not look or behave exactly the same, and on-page animations may be slightly different. While a Joomla website can be rebuilt in WordPress very successfully, you should still expect very slight differences in the two.

Wrapping it all up

In summary, all CMSs have their benefits and drawbacks, and every business will need to assess which platform is the wisest choice for them. If you determine that your Joomla site is not the best platform for your needs then recreating the site in WordPress may be your best bet.

If you’re not sure which CMS would fit your needs the best, we offer consulting services to help you select a platform that will be the greatest benefit for your usage case. If it is determined that WordPress is your best platform, then we would be happy to talk with you about rebuilding the whole site using the WordPress CMS. Our pricing and time to produce the site is extremely competitive.

Contact Us today to get started!

The post Turn Your Joomla Site Into a WordPress Site appeared first on Moore Tech Solutions.

Website design trends in 2024 are constantly evolving and reflecting the impact of different events in pop culture These trends aren’t isolated islands. They’re constantly evolving, merging, and morphing into something entirely new, such as the nostalgia caused by the return of Y2K style or sci-fi related websites. The aesthetics adapting to each year, evolving from previous design trends are establishing successful website designs. Website design is a chameleon, constantly shifting its colors and textures to reflect the new trends.

What will the websites of tomorrow look like? Will AI become the ultimate design partner, or will human creativity continue to rule the roost? As the 2024 design odyssey just started to unfold its mysteries, we’ll share our thoughts on the trends that will define our digital future.

Table of contents

1. Microinteractions and Motion Effects
2. Bright colors and Gradients
3. Dynamic Typography
4. Y2K
5. AI Generated Content
6. 3D Elements
7. Parallax Scrolling
8. HUGE Text!
9. Maximalism
10. Gen Z influence

1. Microinteractions and Motion Effects

We expect more interactive websites in 2024 website design trends. Even though we already witnessed the evolution of microinteractions during 2023, it’s not commonly used by everyone. Luckily, new sites will have the need to adapt and evolve to new trends surrounded by more immersive experiences full of color, motion, and enhancements to make a product’s workflow and experience more enjoyable. On the other hand, we are quite familiar with motion in websites. From graphics floating around to small texts vanishing through scrolling down; these types of interactions within a website prepare the way of the evolution of more modern designs with futuristic details.

For example, microinteractions are tiny, interactive moments within a website that enhance the user experience by guiding them through their journey giving them small hints around. These microinteractions are often subtle, but their impact on usability can be significant and offer a more immersive experience. Both microinteractions and motion effects are carefully crafted movements to engage our senses, guide us through interfaces, and even tell stories, all without a single word.

Here are some key characteristics of microinteractions and motion effects:

• Don’t require any complex actions or decisions, usually involving simple gestures like hovering, clicking, or scrolling.
• Triggered by specific user actions and provide immediate feedback, either visually, audibly, or through haptics.
• Serve a functional purpose, like indicating that an action has been registered or providing progress updates, but they also aim to be playful and engaging, adding a touch of magic to the user experience.

While motion-rich websites undeniably enhance the user experience for many, it’s crucial to remember that not everyone enjoys the same roller coaster ride. For some, excessive animation and interactivity can become a dizzying obstacle course, hindering navigation and accessibility. Imagine someone with visual impairments trying to decipher content that’s constantly swirling and morphing, or someone using a screen reader struggling to discern text hidden beneath layers of animated elements.

Remember, the website’s primary function is to communicate effectively and efficiently. While motion and interactivity can be powerful tools for trends in website design, they should enhance the user journey, not derail it. By prioritizing clarity, control, and inclusivity, we can create websites that are not only mesmerizing but also accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

2. Bright Colors and Gradients

Bright colors and gradients on websites are more than just aesthetic choices; they’re paintbrushes dipped in digital vibrancy, ready to splash bold statements, evoke emotions, and guide your eyes across the online canvas.

Used thoughtfully, they can transform your website into a vibrant and engaging experience that delights your users and reinforces your brand identity. So, let your creativity flow, experiment, and find the perfect color palette that makes your website truly shine! It’s a playground for the bold and the adventurous, where vibrant hues and smooth transitions dance across the screen, captivating our attention and immersing us in the experience.

Here are some key characteristics of bright colors and gradients:

• Websites can use color strategically to guide your emotional journey, creating the desired atmosphere and subtly influencing your perception of the content.
• Bright colors draw attention to important elements, guiding your navigation and ensuring you don’t miss the key messages.
• A unique color palette can become a brand’s visual signature, making it instantly recognizable and setting it apart from the competition.

Ready to inject some life into your website? Hold on, because vibrant color bursts and dynamic interactions aren’t the only ingredients for a lively online experience. Walking the tightrope between playful and chaotic is where the real magic happens. Don’t get me wrong, a splash of color can be exhilarating, like a tropical sunrise flooding your screen. But just like too much sugar in your coffee, the wrong palette or overzealous animation can leave users feeling jittery and overwhelmed.

Remember, the cornerstone of any lively website is a clean design. Think of it as your blank canvas, the foundation upon which your creative energy can dance. Clutter, whether visual or functional, drowns out your message and creates a frustrating user journey. So, embrace the mantra “less is more” and prioritize clarity above all else.

3. Dynamic Typography

Dynamic typography’s main goal is to catch its viewers’ attention through prominent and astonishing movement and shape-shifting characteristics. Dynamic typography defies the static norms of traditional text, embracing movement, interaction, and transformation. It’s where words shed their stationary shells and come alive with fluidity and expression, captivating our attention, and reinventing the way we communicate online.

How does it work?

• Animations That Shimmer and Swirl
• Interactive Text That Responds to Your Every Click
• AI-Powered Typography That Adapts and Evolves
• Morphing into different words
• Shape and color shifting
• Typing animations

Dynamic typography reigns supreme in the world of web design trends for good reason. It’s not just a dazzling visual spectacle that hypnotizes users; it’s a potent tool for communication, storytelling, and engagement. Imagine headlines swirling and morphing to guide you through a narrative, or buttons dancing to beckon you closer. It’s an immersive experience that can elevate any website.

However, like any powerful tool, dynamic typography requires careful handling. While the playful chaos might be perfect for a youthful audience, it could overwhelm and disorient older users or those with certain accessibility needs. Consider the impact of excessive motion on your target demographic. Would it enhance their experience or leave them feeling lost in a dizzying vortex of letters?

4. Y2K

The Y2K aesthetic is making a glorious comeback, exploding onto websites with a vibrant splash of nostalgia and playful digital rebellion. Think butterfly clips, platform shoes, holographic stickers, and a healthy dose of optimism – all translated into the pixelated playground of the internet. Glitches and Gifs are back along with animated text blocks around. Y2k is all about embracing the new technologies and making them your own. This would be your best option if you are looking for a modern website design while bringing simpler times and comfort. Y2K will most likely incorporate sci-fi futuristic elements from movies such as Star-Trek, Tron, and Star Wars. The classics are always timeless.

Y2K might not be everyone’s cup of tea. Some of the trends might feel a little too unconventional and outlandish for the viewers that witnessed this era with their own eyes. Maximalism surrounded by glitter and funky typographies might be perceived as a little excessive.

5. AI Generated Content

Since the launch of ChatGPT last year, AI has established a new future for different tools that will expand our creativity. AI tools are extensions of our limitless mind that help us create content for our websites like Midjourney or Dall-E, you can now generate text-to-image, and Bard and ChatGPT which are excellent tools for content creation. AI tools usage seems perfect for a bigger platform with educational purposes, which would work great with Joomla website designs in 2024. Joomla helps you achieve a more complex structure for your design needs.

What can AI do for me?

• Suggest color palettes and fonts
• Create images and visual content
• Write website copy content
• Optimize User Experience
• Identify and solve design problems

The future of web design isn’t a battle between humans and AI, but a powerful partnership. AI is emerging as a creative co-pilot, augmenting human ingenuity with automation and insights. Imagine designers empowered by AI tools that generate inspiring layouts, suggest captivating color palettes, and even personalize content – the possibilities for crafting effective and engaging websites are limitless.

6. 3D Elements

3D elements in web design are visual components that create an illusion of depth and dimension on a two-dimensional screen. They bring a sense of realism and tangibility to websites, making them more engaging and interactive for users.

Here are some key characteristics of 3D Elements:

• Add visual interest and depth to websites, making them more engaging and memorable for users.
• Create an interactive experience and tell stories in a more immersive way.
• Provide a more realistic and interactive way for users to view and explore products, leading to better decision-making and increased sales.
• Stand out from the competition and showcase your creativity in a unique way.

In situations where 3D elements might not be the best fit, consider alternative techniques like flat illustrations, layering design elements, or subtle animations, remember that is always useful to boost your website conversion with images as well. If not used properly, 3D around your website can make your design look quirky and dated. The key is to choose the approach that best resonates with your users and supports your website’s goals.

7. Parallax Scrolling

Parallax scrolling is a visual technique in web design that creates a captivating 3D illusion of depth and movement. It’s like peering through a magic window where layers of content unfold at different speeds as you scroll, immersing you in a captivating digital story. WordPress website designs in 2024 are implementing parallax easily because of their user-friendly tools that offer built-in parallax features, often with customization options to control speed and intensity.

Benefits of parallax scrolling:

• Increased user engagement: The eye-catching 3D effect grabs attention and keeps users scrolling, making websites more dynamic and memorable.
• Enhanced storytelling: Parallax can guide users through a narrative journey, revealing information gradually and creating a sense of anticipation.
• Brand personality boost: The immersive nature of parallax can make websites feel more interactive and engaging, enhancing brand perception and memorability.
• Creative flexibility: Designers can use parallax to create unique and memorable experiences that set their websites apart from the competition.

Remember, always use parallax effects discreetly to avoid overwhelming your users, ensure a smooth user experience and easy access to information, and always verify seamless performance on different browsers and screens.

8. HUGE Text!

The question of large or oversized text in website design is a fascinating one, as it teeters on the edge of a design tightrope. Used skillfully, it can be a powerful tool for engagement, accessibility, and storytelling. But misstep, and you risk alienating users or creating a visual cacophony.

The Allure of the Big Bold:

• Attention Grabbers: Large titles instantly capture the eye, breaking through the visual clutter and drawing users in. They act as visual anchors, guiding users to the most important information and setting the stage for exploration.
• Storytelling Powerhouses: Headlines can set the tone and theme of your website, acting as mini introductions that hint at the story behind your content. Think bold, playful fonts for a lighthearted experience, or elegant serif fonts for a more sophisticated tone.
• Accessibility Champions: For users with visual impairments, large, high-contrast titles can make a website significantly easier to navigate, promoting inclusivity and accessibility.

Consider your content! While large titles can be impactful, they shouldn’t overpower the actual information. Ensure the font size and style complement the content, enhancing, not overshadowing, it. Choose fonts that are clear, easy to read on different screen sizes, and compatible with your overall aesthetic. Fancy calligraphy might look pretty, but if it’s a struggle to decipher, it defeats the purpose. Always establish a hierarchy with different font sizes and weights to differentiate headings, subheadings, and body text. This creates a visual flow and guides users through your content effectively.

9. Maximalism

Bursting onto the web design scene with a riot of colors, textures, and audacious elements. It’s a visual feast for the senses, a rejection of the clean lines and stark spaces that have dominated for so long. But is it a trend, a movement, or just a flash in the digital pan?

Maximalism, unchecked, can be overwhelming. Cluttering the screen with too many elements, colors, and animations can leave users feeling dizzy and disoriented. Remember, the goal is to engage, not to induce a digital migraine. If everything is shouting for attention, nothing gets heard. In the chaos of maximalism, important information can easily get lost. Ensure clear hierarchy, strategic use of white space, and focused user journeys to prevent content from becoming a victim of its own vibrancy.

10. Gen Z influence

When it comes to website design, Gen Z brings a unique perspective – a generation raised on smartphones, fluent in memes, and fiercely independent. For Gen Z is always important to have a great responsive and mobile friendly web design since their phones are their preferred device to access any type of media. Their preferences have a significant impact on the digital landscape. Gen Z values genuineness over polished perfection. They crave brands that show their true colors, with raw content, relatable voices, and a willingness to take a stand on social issues. Think handwritten testimonials instead of stock photos, unscripted vlogs instead of professional commercials. Forget desktop-driven designs! Gen Z lives on their phones, so websites need to be flawlessly optimized for the mobile experience. Fast loading times, intuitive navigation, and bite-sized content are non-negotiables. Imagine an Instagram-like interface but for every website, built for quick scrolling and instant engagement.

By understanding and incorporating these preferences, web designers can create websites that resonate with Gen Z, capturing their attention, encouraging engagement, and building lasting connections. Remember, it’s about going beyond the aesthetics and tapping into their values, their digital habits, and their desire for authentic, interactive, and meaningful experiences. So, ditch the dusty design rulebooks and get ready to embrace the bold, playful, and inclusive future of web design, shaped by the digital natives of Gen Z!

Wrapping up

While these are some of the most striking trends simmering on the web design horizon for 2024, they’re just the tip of the iceberg. It is important to remember that new trends will continue to emerge during 2024 or some of them might disappear completely to become outdated. For everyone interested in website design it’s always important to consider while designing that your main goal is to build a great and remarkable experience for your user. Keep this in mind always while you prepare and conceptualize your next design!

If you are looking to improve or create your website based on these new trends or make your own while expanding your creativity with our help contact us here. We will gladly help you out!

The post Emerging Website Design Trends in 2024 appeared first on Moore Tech Solutions.

One of the first things clients want to know when they call us here at Moore Tech Solutions is how much a new website will cost. We answer it so much, in fact, that we thought we’d create this handy guide that suggests what you should pay for every different type of website.

One of the reasons this guide is so useful is that the price of a website can depend on a whole host of factors. Unlike building a custom home, which might vary 10%-50% between different builders, the price of a website can vary by as much as 200% or even more! That’s because the type of service and level of experience of website designers can differ massively. To understand the true value of your website, you also have to understand the service you’re going to receive.

Now we’ve got that clear, let’s look at all of the costs associated with building a new website.

Pricing Considerations

Domain Names

What is a website domain name?
It is the name of your website’s link (URL) that is typed into a browser to find your website. For example, our domain name is mooretechsolutions.com.

Before you can have a website, you must first buy a website domain. If you are using a web design agency to create your new website, they can take care of this for you. But for maximum control, you are better off doing this yourself through a domain name registrar such as GoDaddy or Moniker. If you ever change agencies this removes any question of who owns the domain

How much does a domain name cost?
The price of a website domain will typically be between $8-10 per year depending on the type of TLD you choose (.com, .org, .store, etc.) and how long you purchase the domain name for. Domain names can be renewed every year and you will always be able to renew it before it expires. Domain names with a longer expiration date can play a small factor in search engine results, so you may want to renew for multiple years. An added advantage is that you won’t forget to renew!

Website Hosting

What is website hosting?
The website hosting account is where the website physically resides. Your website is made up of files and data that must be stored in a location called a server that connects to the web.

Typically, your web developer will have a preferred provider and will host your website through them. Some design companies will waive the hosting fee, others will include it in the price and others still will charge you separately for it. High-quality hosting isn’t cheap and typically small cheap hosting accounts tend to perform very poorly.

How much does website hosting cost?
Website hosting will typically set you back between $50 and $500 per year depending on the type of hosting you use. The better quality hosting environments usually cost more.

If your site is handling secure data such protected health information (PHI) you may need a HIPAA compliant server which is much more expensive.

Website Development Options

Designer, Platform or DIY?

Who you choose to create your website will have a HUGE impact on the price of the website. Thanks to the number of DIY website builders and open source content management systems you don’t even have to pay anyone (although you probably should).

Below we’ve listed ways in which you can build your website, have your website built, or hire in-house talent. We try to cover about how much those options will cost and our thoughts on each.

What Are Hosted Website Platforms?

There are plenty of options available including Wix, Weebly, Squarespace and Shopify. These platforms are self-hosted, meaning that you pay a monthly fee to use the platform but don’t really own the site.

Pros

• Hosting is included so you can save some money there
• You build it yourself so you don’t have to wait for someone else to get it done
• You can select pre-made templates (themes) that are already designed and ready to go.

Cons

• You don’t own the site
• If you sell things you may have to pay a fee per item sold
• You can’t make changes to the layout or styling, it just is what it is
• Others will have websites that look the same as yours
• You can’t control the SEO so there isn’t too much you can do to improve the search engine results
• You can only extend them so far, additional functionalities are limited

Pricing

• The typical monthly fee for a hosted platform is anywhere between $30 and $300 per month depending on how much volume you need.

What Are Content Management Systems?

A Content Management System (CMS) is a pre-built website that has been zipped up into an folder that must be installed on a hosting account server that has a database setup on it (usually MySql). It normally includes a few pre-built pages, some menu tabs to the pages and maybe a few special items like a login. It incorporates all of the functions and capabilities of a fully functional website plus extensions (plugins) can be installed to extend those functions. Edits to the site can be made using a WYSIWYG (what you see id what you get) text editor or a drag and drop builder (if one has been installed).

Pros

• Most CMSs have a wide selection of themes and templates that come with demo pages already built
• You build it yourself so you don’t have to wait for someone else to get it done
• You can select pre-made templates (themes) that are already designed and ready to go.
• You own the website and control the hosting account
• Very simple themes and templates are free so it costs you nothing except hosting and time

Cons

• You must set up the hosting account, configure the server, and create the database
• You will need to pay for hosting but service it and manage it yourself
• Although you can change some styling true design changes require CSS, HTML and sometimes PHP knowledge
• You will have to learn and get familiar with using File Transfer Protocol (FTP) in order to manage site files
• If you break it you will have to fix it yourself

Pricing

• Aside from the cost of hosting, open source CMSs (WordPress, Joomla, Drupal) are free. However, themes, templates, and third party plugins and extensions are not always free and can run into hundreds a year for updates and renewals.

Should I Hire In-House Web Design Staff?

If you have a large company and plan on frequent changes to your website you may feel like having an in-house staff developer is necessary for being responsible for planning and creation of the website. However, be advised that staff developers don’t come cheaply. A basic front-end web developer’s salary starts at about $50,000 a year and if a full-stack backend web developer is needed the mean salary for that member is about $106,000.

Pros

• You will incrementally control every aspect of your website from server to site
• You can develop a test platform to test changes prior to implementation
• You can create custom themes and functions
• You will own the website

Cons

• Money, this is a very expensive solution
• If you don’t hire the right talent you may still find that you have to pay for help
• If one staff member leaves another must be capable of stepping into the middle of his work, which isn’t easy to do
• Your staff members will have to train to keep abreast the constant changes in technology
• Did we mention the expense?

Pricing

• If you are comfortable paying $50,000 – $100,000 per year, this is a good option for you.

Should I Use a Freelancer To Build My Website?

If you know exactly what is needed, can communicate it clearly to a developer and an also understand what that developer is saying to you then a freelance web designer may be a good choice for you.

Pros

• You won’t have to have the expense and management time of a full-time staff member
• You can set budgets and expectations for delivery times
• You may not (maybe) have to pay if expectations aren’t fulfilled
• You will own the website

Cons

• You must be able to communicate clearly and concisely what is needed, what the budget is, and what the delivery time is to be
• Many freelancers don’t speak English as a first language so communications can be difficult
• Many freelancers live in another time zone so expect to have very late night conversations or several days of lag time in between conversations
• If you don’t use a third party freelance platform you may pay for something that will never be delivered
• If your freelancer goes away you may have to start from scratch later on down the road

Pricing

• Freelancers tend to charge between $35 and $75 an hour.

Should I Use Web Design Agency To Build My Website?

If you are not technical, are too busy working in your business to work on your business, don’t have a large staffing budget, and you’re not interested in trying to manage a project with a developer that is half way around the world, then hiring a web design agency is the best choice for you.

Pros

• You can have a non-technical conversation with your developer about things like site goals and specific functions
• You can usually expect to receive a full price breakdown of what you are getting for your money
• With the right developer you will own the website
• You can order work as it is needed
• A few web design companies (like ours) will provide you with training to make basic content edits to your website

Cons

• Some web design companies, not all, may not deliver as quickly as you would like
• Most will not be open on the weekends or evenings if you need changes done at those times
• Most will charge for time to explore and consult
• If future edits are needed they must be requested and scheduled

Pricing

• Website Designers tend to charge between $50 and $200 an hour for ad hoc services but tend to charge less for project pricing. Most will submit to you a full proposal that covers what is included, what additional options are available, and what the project price will be before they begin any work.

Website Types and Typical Prices

Is Your Website Basic or Complex?
Apart from who builds your website, the other major factor that will dictate price is the kind of website that you need. It goes without saying, the simpler, the better. The more complex your website is, the more time developers will need to create it and, therefore, the more expensive it will be. Below you can find the standard range of websites that clients usually ask for and their associated agency costs.

How much does a typical one-page website cost?

A one-page website displays information about your company. Customers will use this website to find out more about your service and then make contact either by calling a listed phone number or by filling out an online form.

Typical Price: $1,000 – $2,000

How much does a typical business brochure website cost?

This is typically a 5 to 20-page website used by small and medium-sized businesses. It will have all of the standard pages that you expect a website to have: a homepage, an about page, a services page, a gallery, FAQs, news and a contact page. For additional fees, it can also be connected to a CRM or have restricted download areas.

Typical Price: $3,000 – $10,000

How much does a typical ecommerce website cost?

An E-commerce website is much more technical than a brochure website and the cost will reflect this. It will include categorized product pages, a checkout shopping cart, inventory controls, product variations, shipping rules, taxing rules, a payment gateway and E-commerce SEO.

Typical Price: $5,000 – $20,000

How much does a typical real estate website cost?

A real estate website usually includes a brochure website that also displays real estate listings in addition. These can be entered by hand, iframed from an MLS source or by importing an IDX data feed from an MLS board natively into the website to garner better SEO results.

Typical Price: $3,500 – $10,000

How much does a custom website cost?

Occasionally, clients will want a custom website that doesn’t conform to the categories above and that utilizes advanced functions or ties together third-party platforms. You should always speak with your web design agency to discover the cost of a custom website and to check that they can complete the work.

Typical Price: $3,500 – $10,000

How much does a custom website cost in the UK?

Costs not only vary according to what is needed, but they can also very according to where your website developer is located. Here is a good resource for finding what a website should cost if your development company resides within the UK: Average UK Web Pricing.

Typical Price: 200 – 100,000 Pounds

When we create a site for you – you own it. You own the website and all of the code, if you ever want a copy of it we will provide it to you upon request. We go out of our way to use open source, well-supported tools that are non-proprietary so you never feel obligated to have to use our services once the site has been built.

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