What Costs are Involved with Building and Running a Website?

It can feel daunting to think about all the different aspects involved with a new website. Here you will find an in-depth guide to the various costs of building and running a website that in turn will help you earn more.

Making an investment in the future of your business can be a nervous time, especially for a new business. As you grow and make more investments, it becomes more exciting than nerve-wracking.

Below are the costs involved with a website at Glow Creative, whether your business is product-based or service-based (click to jump to the corresponding section).

Glow Creative Product-based business website cost considerations

Product-based business websites (ecommerce) – Shopify

1. Glow Creative website package

Glow’s website packages include design and development. You can find more details about packages here.

2. Domain (e.g. glowcreative.co.nz)

You pay to use and reserve your URL, it doesn’t grant you a place to build the website by itself (you need hosting as well). Domains cost about $25/year NZD. You can compare different providers to find which offers your desired domain for the best price and to see who comes most recommended. Shopify offers domains which is the most straightforward way to connect your domain to your Shopify website. However, they do tend to come at a higher price. Connecting your domain from another provider is simple enough to do (I’ll do it for you as a client of Glow Creative).

3. Shopify subscription & hosting

Your hosting is a place to house your site on the web. Where all your details and files are kept online. For Shopify, hosting costs are included in their monthly subscription fee that allows you to use their service. Shopify’s pricing and plans can be found here. Most small businesses can comfortably start with the Basic plan without missing out on any functionality.

4. Shopify theme

Your theme provides the basic structure and functionality that your website needs to run. Your theme can be customised in all ways, shapes, and forms, but it is best to choose one that includes key features you need (if you can) to ensure you don’t end up paying a monthly subscription to get the same functionality from an app down the line. There are a variety of themes to choose from on Shopify’s theme store. They range from free to around $350 USD.

5. Payment gateway

This is the provider which lets you accept payments on your website. Shopify has their own gateway which integrates very nicely into Shopify websites – Shopify Payments. There are other options, such as eWAY which can do the job as well. All of your options vary in price and availability depending on which country you’re based in. Most take a percentage out of each sale from your website.

6. Additional payment gateways (optional)

These are extra ways to accept payments outside of your standard credit/debit card payments so people can pay another way. Most commonly people like to pay using PayPal or on a payment plan over multiple weeks using AfterPay or a similar provider. These payment gateways each have their own varying fees.

7. Apps (optional)

Shopify apps are the equivalent of plugins or add ons on other platforms. If you choose to add extra functionality to your website using an app, these often incur a monthly fee from the app developer. There are plenty of free apps for Shopify, however it depends on what you’re after whether the right choice is free or not.

8. Web maintenance (optional)

Over time you may require updates, changes, and new features on your website. If you would like help maintaining your website, Glow Creative offers this at an hourly rate (listed here). If you have already signed on at Glow Creative to build your website, there is no additional paper work – you can simply make a request any time.

Glow Creative Service-based business website cost considerations

Service-based business websites – WordPress

1. Glow Creative website package

Glow’s website packages include design and development. You can find more details about packages here.

2. Domain (e.g. glowcreative.co.nz)

You pay to use and reserve your URL, it doesn’t grant you a place to build the website by itself (you need hosting as well). Domains cost about $25/year NZD. You can compare different providers to find which offers your desired domain for the best price and to see who comes most recommended.

3. Hosting

This is a place to house your site on the web. Where all your details and files are kept online. WordPress hosting costs $300/year NZD (+ GST if you’re in NZ) with Glow Creative.

4. WordPress theme

Your theme provides the basic structure and functionality that your website needs to run. Your theme can be customised in all ways, shapes, and forms. The prices range a lot for WordPress themes, however at Glow Creative your theme is included in your package and carefully selected specifically for your business.

5. Plugins (optional)

WordPress plugins are the equivalent of apps or add ons on other platforms. If you choose to add extra functionality to your website using a plugin, these can sometimes incur a monthly fee from the plugin developer. There are a vast amount of free plugins for WordPress, however it depends on what you’re after whether the right choice is free or not.

6. Web maintenance (optional)

Over time you may require updates, changes, and new features on your website. If you would like help maintaining your website, Glow Creative offers this at an hourly rate (listed here). If you have already signed on at Glow Creative to build your website, there is no additional paper work – you can simply make a request any time.

FAQs

  • How do I work with you?

    Please fill in this web questionnaire or you can send me a message. This solo business owner does a little happy dance every time someone connects 💖

  • Can I sell products on a WordPress website?

    Yes, you can. I recommend that my clients use Shopify for ecommerce because of the phenomenal service and user-friendly experience they offer. WordPress is a higher learning curve and more in-depth ’techie’ way to go when it comes to selling products. However, WordPress is one of the most versatile platforms on offer and can be used for any type of website.

  • What is ecommerce and do I need it?

    Ecommerce is the functionality you need to sell online – commerce of the electronic variety, one might say 😉  Whether you need it or not depends on what you sell. I understand some businesses are on the verge of a product and service, or maybe you have both. If you sell by solely taking appointments/bookings then you probably don’t need ecommerce and a WordPress site with a calendar booking system may suit. If you have both products and services then you’ll most likely need ecommerce to sell your products (if you sell both, you can do it under one website).

  • I have a question that I can’t find the answer to anywhere!

    Flick me a message, I don’t believe in obligatory sales talk (bleh) so let’s just have a chat 🥰  I check my email and social media regularly so you’ll get a quick response.

  • I think my question is too silly to ask you…

    Nope. I’m the most patient and understanding person I know (humble brag). No question is silly and I’d freakin’ love to help.

I hope this gives you a crystal clear picture of what costs are involved with building and running your own business website. I aim to be as comprehensive as I can to ensure that there are no surprises and you can plan accordingly.


I am a self-employed web developer & graphic designer. Helping small business owners to bask in their glow by following their passion is what I love to do. I enjoy spending time in nature, reading great books, and eating a lot of pasta.

Curious to see what's possible?
If this lit up any questions or comments for you, please drop me a message.