How Much Should a Gym Website Cost?

Last week we discussed the options you have for building a website for your gym, fitness studio or martial arts school. Today we’ll cover how much it costs to build a website, as well as some common hidden costs that fitness business owners typically don’t think about when building out a website.

How Much Do Websites Cost?

Go to Google and type in, “how much does it cost to build a website”. You will find article after article with the response, “it depends”. While this is true, as it really does depend on which option you decide to go with (DIY, al la carte or all-in-one bundle), we believe it’s important to provide our customers with a transparent, straightforward price.

While we can’t speak for everyone else, we provide an all-in-one bundle including ongoing maintenance and updates for the low price $149 per month with a one-time $499 startup fee. The best part? If you sign a one-year contract, we’ll waive the startup fee is waived.

As for other providers, you can expect to pay anywhere between $1,000 to $20,000 to have someone build a website for you. Many agencies and developers price websites one of two ways: fixed bid or hourly. With fixed bid pricing, you’ll receive a quote for a certain amount, which also includes a list of what’s included in that price (hours of work, rounds of edits, numbers of pages, etc.). If you have several edits and revisions, there’s a good chance your final tab will end up being more than the original estimate.

The other option, hourly, can end up getting pricey fairly quickly, as you’re paying someone a fixed hourly rate for the time it takes them to build the website. Agencies and freelancers have expensive hourly rates, that range anywhere from $90-$180. So if a website project takes 30 hours to complete at $165 an hour, your site will be around $4,800.

Here are some other costs associate with building out a website if you’re not going with an all-in-one bundle.

Domain Name

If you don’t already own one, you will have to purchase your domain name. This could cost as little as $10-15 a year, but if someone already owns the name you want, you’ll have to buy it from them. This could cost hundreds or even thousands–if they’re even willing to sell to you. Take a look at the domain name newyorkcityfitness.com, for example. It’s currently available for the outrageous price of $5,400.

Web Hosting

There are many inexpensive, shared hosting companies. These companies, like GoDaddy and Bluehost, host your website on a server with other several other websites for less than $10 per month. If you’re looking for WordPress-focused hosting, your costs will rise anywhere from from $19-$50 per month.

SSL Certificate

With the increase in hackers, online security is of the utmost importance these days. SSL certificates not only ensure the information for your prospects and members is safe, they also help with your ranking on Google. SSL certificates can range from $69 to $199/year.

WordPress Site Build Out

At the very least, you’ll have to buy a theme, since most of the free themes don’t offer much functionality; they’re generally better for bloggers or hobby-type sites. This can range from $60 to a few hundred, depending on what you choose. Of course, from there, the customization can increase the cost considerably, as you’re paying for the builder’s time and expertise.

Imagery

Your site needs high-quality photos, which can cost 50 cents or $15 per image. You’ll also want high-res pictures of your own business, so you might need to hire a photographer to make sure you’re getting the best quality shots. This can vary a lot by your region and your photographer, but you can probably count on a couple hundred dollars for the session, and you’ll have to pay for the use of the images, as well.

Ongoing Updates

Remember how we mentioned the hourly rates that developers, designers and agencies charge? This holds true for ongoing site updates and maintenance. You’ll need to make sure your website stays current with WordPress and security updates, and you’ll likely need small changes made to your site on a monthly basis. Every time a developer makes these changes, you’ll be charged for the amount of time it takes for them to be made.

Interested in learning more about Zen Planner’s Integrated Websites? Schedule your demo with one of our Specialists today!