In Defense of the $50k Website

In the realm of website development, the price tag of $50,000 often raises eyebrows and prompts questions about its justification. Yet, what many fail to realize is the extensive collaborative effort and multifaceted expertise that goes into crafting a website of such caliber. 

In my 25 years as a marketer, I estimate that I've helped launch 30 websites, as an agency owner, a contractor, and as a full time employee. Sometimes you need to hire the big guns to blow up big stuff. Too violent? Sometimes you have to bring the chef to cater the fancy dinner. There we go. That's better. 

Look, I'm not saying there aren't scammers out there. There are. But I also know what it takes to do it well. Let's dive in: 

What happens before you start building a $50k website

​At the forefront of projects like a new website, are strategists, individuals who meticulously analyze the client's brand identity, market position, and objectives (if they are doing it right). They spearhead the strategic direction of the website, ensuring that every aspect aligns with the overarching goals of the business. Through thorough research and data analysis, they lay the foundation for a website that not only looks impressive but also drives tangible results. Sometimes companies think they are doing this in-house, but if that effort isn't driven by a marketing professional with experience doing website launches, there could be gaping holes in the strategies. 

​Content creators play a pivotal role in shaping the narrative of the website. Armed with a deep understanding of the brand's voice and tone, they craft compelling copy that resonates with the target audience. Whether it's captivating headlines, informative product descriptions, or engaging blog posts, their words breathe life into the website, captivating visitors and driving them towards action. This often includes several interviews with internal stakeholders and hours of research. This part can go especially slow for organizations that don't have a strong marketing plan. In the wildly altered, but still useful quote from the movie Field of Dreams, "if you build it, it will save you lots of money." 

​Graphic designers infuse creativity and aesthetics into every pixel of the website. From eye-catching visuals to intuitive user interfaces, their designs captivate the audience's attention and create memorable experiences. Whether it's creating custom illustrations, designing striking logos, or selecting the perfect color palette, their artistic flair elevates the website's visual appeal and reinforces the brand's identity.

What we don't talk about at all here is what it takes to vet and hire this team of experts. That's a capital investment all on its own. If you work in an organization that has the resources to this in-house, you get it. It's not easy or cheap to ensure you have the right people doing the right things at the right times. 

An approximate timeline

Let's look at this from a very optimistic timeline perspective: 

• ​Initial Consultation and Strategy Development (Weeks 1-2): The journey begins with an initial consultation between the client and the website development team. Strategists dive deep into understanding the client's brand identity, market position, and objectives. Through extensive research and analysis, they lay the groundwork for the website's strategic direction.
• Content Planning and Creation (Weeks 3-4): Content creators step in to shape the narrative of the website. Armed with insights from the strategy phase, they craft compelling copy that resonates with the target audience. Whether it's captivating headlines, informative product descriptions, or engaging blog posts, their words breathe life into the website.
• Design Conceptualization (Weeks 5-6): Graphic designers infuse creativity and aesthetics into the website's design. From custom illustrations to striking logos, they create visual elements that captivate the audience's attention and reinforce the brand's identity. Through iterative feedback and revisions, they refine the design concept to perfection.

Building your $50k website

Of course, behind the scenes, coders are hard at work bringing these designs to life. They possess a mastery of programming languages and frameworks, translating design concepts into functional code. Their expertise ensures seamless navigation, responsive layouts, and optimal performance across various devices and platforms. Through meticulous coding and rigorous testing, they transform vision into reality, turning static mockups into dynamic, interactive websites. And if you're using WordPress, there's also the need to vet plug-ins, ensure overall compatibility, and plan for the future of the site. 

​Conversion rate optimization (CRO) experts are laser-focused on maximizing the website's effectiveness in turning visitors into customers. Through A/B testing, user behavior analysis, and iterative improvements, they fine-tune every element of the website to enhance conversion rates. Whether it's optimizing call-to-action buttons, streamlining checkout processes, or refining landing page designs, their efforts directly impact the bottom line, driving revenue and ROI.

​Meanwhile, search engine optimization (SEO) experts ensure that the website remains visible and accessible to potential customers. By optimizing on-page elements, conducting keyword research, and building authoritative backlinks, they improve the website's ranking in search engine results pages. Their efforts increase organic traffic, expand the reach of the brand, and establish a strong online presence in a competitive digital landscape.

More timelines to launch the $50k website

Getting the site stood up means that a variety of moving parts need to be executed and coordinated. If everything goes perfectly, you might see the following schedule: 

• ​Development and Coding (Weeks 7-10): With the design finalized, coders step in to bring it to life. Armed with mastery over programming languages and frameworks, they translate design concepts into functional code. Their expertise ensures seamless navigation, responsive layouts, and optimal performance across devices.
• Conversion Rate Optimization (Weeks 11-12): Conversion rate optimization (CRO) experts fine-tune the website to enhance conversion rates. Through A/B testing and user behavior analysis, they optimize elements such as call-to-action buttons and landing page designs to drive revenue and ROI.
• Search Engine Optimization (Weeks 13-14): SEO experts ensure the website remains visible and accessible to potential customers. By optimizing on-page elements and building authoritative backlinks, they improve the website's ranking and increase organic traffic.

​In essence, a $50,000 website isn't just a product of coding prowess; it's a collaborative masterpiece that harmonizes the expertise of strategists, content creators, graphic designers, coders, conversion rate optimization experts, and search engine optimization experts. It represents an investment in comprehensive strategic planning, creative excellence, and technical proficiency—all aimed at creating a digital platform that drives business growth and fosters brand success.

Post-launch timeline

​And it doesn't stop after the site launches, there's still more to do! ​

• Testing and Quality Assurance (Weeks 15-16): Before the website goes live, thorough testing and quality assurance are essential. Developers conduct rigorous testing to ensure functionality, compatibility, and performance across various devices and browsers.
• Content Migration and Integration (Weeks 17-18): Content creators oversee the migration of content from the old website (if applicable) and ensure seamless integration into the new website. They optimize content for SEO and user engagement, ensuring a smooth transition for visitors.
• Final Review and Approval (Weeks 19-20): With all elements in place, the website undergoes a final review and approval process. Stakeholders provide feedback and sign off on the website's readiness for launch.
• Launch and Post-launch Support (Week 21 onwards): The website is officially launched to the public, marking the culmination of months of effort and expertise. Post-launch support is provided to address any issues, monitor performance, and implement ongoing updates and optimizations.

Does it make sense to hire someone (or an agency) to build you a $50k website?

​So, the next time someone questions the cost of a $50,000 website, remember the collective expertise and collaborative effort that goes into its creation. It's not just about the code—it's about the strategic vision, compelling content, captivating design, seamless functionality, optimized conversion paths, and enhanced visibility that collectively justify its value. And in a world where digital presence is paramount, that's an investment worth making.

But, it's not for everyone. Ask smart questions, and consider your needs carefully. 

Do you need a $50k website? 

Need an expert eye in helping to understand if a $50k website is right for you? Curious if a quote is reasonable? Let's chat. 

Let's chat