Knowledge Center · WebForging Library
Budget
Setting a budget for your web presence isn't the easiest thing in the world, but it isn't rocket science either. Before suggesting some ways to approach budgeting, here are a few approaches to avoid.
Three Budget Approaches to Avoid
⚠️The Poor Catalog Approach
The single biggest mistake is budgeting dollars for building a site, then nothing else. That's like budgeting for production of a catalog and planning no further expenditure for using it in a direct mail program, as a response to inquiries, or at trade shows. A good rule of thumb: devote half or less of your budget to initial site development, with the other half reserved for updates, hosting, and promotion for the first year — and continue that allocation in subsequent years.
⚠️The Bargain Basement Bandit
Avoid the moonlighter, the first-timer, or the student doing their first real site. They're attractive because they quote a low-ball number. Even if they meet your initial criteria, they'll soon find the time required is much more than they bargained for — and you'll find they're hard to reach and response time gets poorer and poorer. If you consider this path: have a frank discussion upfront about time commitments, plan regular progress reviews, and don't let them sell themselves short financially — you'll both suffer.
⚠️The Package Plan
Many small webshops put together pre-packaged plans to get you in the door or make for an easy sell. Rarely does even a simple web presence fit the pre-packaged approach. Your business is not a template.A Smarter Way to Budget
Think of your web presence the way you'd think about any other ongoing marketing channel — not a one-time purchase but a sustained investment. The build is just the beginning.
The 50/50 RuleDevote half or less of your total first-year budget to the initial build. Reserve the other half for hosting, content updates, SEO, and promotion. Then budget for those ongoing costs every year after — because a site that nobody updates and nobody promotes is a site nobody finds.
Not sure what a realistic budget looks like for your business? Our Free Website Analysis includes a frank conversation about what it would actually take — and cost — to build and promote the kind of site your goals require. Request yours →
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