Do You Have To Pay Monthly For A Website? Everything You Need To Know

Yes. If you don’t want to read the whole blog post, just to give you the quick and simple answer, it is yes. Even if you build a website yourself, you will end up paying monthly for it through not only your time maintaining it but also hosting, your domain and more.

Today we are going to go over 3 situations for building a website and I will explain the costs associated with each of them. The first way we are going to cover is building the website yourself through a website builder like Wix, Squarespace or Shopify. Then we are going to cover the ongoing costs of working with a traditional web design agency and then lastly we are going to cover the pay monthly website package offered by Worldwide Web Designs. Please note: while we are bias to our services, that does not mean what is covered in this article is not true. All of the information provided is accurate and backed by actual statistics / sources that will be linked throughout the article.

The DIY Builder

Programs like Wix, Squarespace or Shopify can be great for beginners and they can help introduce people to web design, however, even if you build a great website using one of them you will forever be stuck paying their monthly fee. What is even worse is you are then locked into their platform. At that point if you did want to go elsewhere, you would have to rebuild your website from scratch. Wix for example just updated their pricing on June 8th.

Obviously Wix frames this update in pricing as a positive but at it’s core, they simply took away features and upped the prices. Wix Chat for example, is now behind a $25 paywall. That is not the only feature they stripped away either. Website contributor roles are now limited as well as a handful of other features. I am targeting Wix here because their price change was recent but they are not the only ones who have done it. Shopify also had a recent plan change. Their announcement about it stated “In order to not change the value of Shopify, we’ve had to change the price.” yet their net profit margin is up over 103% this year showing the change was clearly there to help the value for their shareholders, not the small businesses using their website building service.

Hiring a Traditional Web Design Agency / Freelancer

Now, let’s shift gears and talk about the second option – hiring a traditional web design agency or a freelancer. This might seem like a more professional approach, and in many ways, it is. You’re getting a custom-built website, tailored to your specific needs and preferences. However, this option comes with its own set of challenges and costs.

The upfront cost of hiring a professional agency or freelancer can be quite steep, often running into thousands of dollars. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Once your website is live, you’ll need to pay for ongoing maintenance, updates, and potential redesigns. And let’s not forget about the hosting and domain costs which are still on you. The worst part? If your web designer decides to move on to greener pastures, you could be left in a lurch, with a website you don’t know how to update or maintain. And if you think that’s bad, consider this: many agencies and freelancers will use their own proprietary platforms to build your website, which means you’re essentially locked into their services. Want to switch to a different provider? You guessed it – you’ll likely have to start from scratch, just like with the DIY builders. And while we’re on the subject, let’s talk about the hidden costs. Many agencies will charge extra for things like SEO optimization, mobile responsiveness, or basic updates – (all of which are included in our pay monthly website packages) So, while hiring a traditional web design agency or freelancer might seem like a good idea on the surface, it’s important to consider the long-term costs and potential pitfalls.

Pay Monthly Websites by Worldwide Web Designs

Finally, let’s delve into the third option – the pay monthly website packages offered by us here at Worldwide Web Designs. This option is designed to provide not only the best value but also the best service. With our pay monthly packages, you get the benefit of a professionally designed, custom website without the hefty upfront costs. Instead, you pay a manageable monthly fee that covers not only the design and build of your website, but also hosting, domain, and ongoing maintenance. This means you can budget effectively, knowing exactly what your website will cost each month with no hidden surprises.

One of the key advantages of our service is the flexibility it offers. Partnering with Worldwide Web Designs is like having your own personal web designer, developer and copywriter on staff. We’re here to support you and your website, not just during the design and build process, but on an ongoing basis. Need to update your site? No problem. Want to add a new feature? We’ve got you covered. And all of this is included in your monthly fee. It is literally in our best interest for your business to succeed.

Now, we understand that we might sound biased, but we truly believe in the value and convenience our pay monthly web design packages offer. We’re not just about making a quick buck. We’re about building relationships with our clients and helping them succeed online. We’re transparent about our pricing and what’s included in our packages, and we’re always here to answer any questions you might have.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the answer to the question, ‘Do you have to pay monthly for a website?‘ is unequivocally ‘yes‘. Regardless of the path you choose – whether it’s a DIY builder, a traditional web design agency, or a pay monthly package like the ones we offer at Worldwide Web Designs – there will be ongoing costs. But it’s not just about the cost, it’s about what you get for your money.

DIY builders might seem like a cost-effective solution at first, but they often come with limitations and hidden costs. Traditional web design agencies can provide a high level of customization, but the upfront costs can be prohibitive, and the ongoing costs unpredictable.

Our pay monthly packages at Worldwide Web Designs offer a different approach. We aim to provide a balance between cost and value, offering professional design, ongoing support, and predictable costs. But remember, it’s not just about us. It’s about finding the right solution for your needs.

So, yes, you will pay monthly for a website. But the key is to understand what you’re getting for your money, and to choose a solution that offers the best value for your specific needs and goals. If you have any further questions or if you’re interested in exploring different options, we’re here to help. Please don’t hesitate to send us a message through our Support page or post a comment below this article.