Your website is like your favorite car, you wouldn’t just buy it and park inside the garage forever, right?
Just like a car, your business website requires regular maintenance to run smoothly, look impressive, and avoid costly repairs leading to a breakdown.
However, unlike a car, navigating the precise website maintenance cost can confuse even an experienced webmaster.
Maintaining a website is way more than just keeping it functional. From performance optimization and security updates to creating content and keeping up SEO in fluctuating SERP (search engine ranking pages) cycles, the list of tasks is intimidating.
We have stepped into 2024 and the vitality of the site’s upkeep is more than ever.
This blog will navigate you through website maintenance costs, and methods to reduce it and explore the pros and cons of both DIY (do-it-yourself) vs. professional.
You can weigh them, choose a path that aligns with your budget, and expertise, and keep your online presence thriving.
Let’s get started!
Website Maintenance Cost: At A Glance
So, how much does it cost to keep your business site in top shape?
The precise website maintenance cost depends on numerous factors such as complexity, size, approach, etc. The following table highlights the average monthly cost of maintenance services for different types of websites.
| Website Type | Domain Name | SSL Certificate | Web Hosting | Email Hosting | Tech Support | SEO | Content | General Updates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Blog/Portfolio | $1–$2 | $0–$10 | $2.75 | $1–$5 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Large Blog/Portfolio | $1–$2 | $0–$10 | $2.75 | $1–$5 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Local Business | $1–$2 | $0–$10 | $2.75 | $1–$5 | $50 | $0 | $0 | $100 |
| Large Business | $1–$2 | $0–$10 | $2.75 | $1–$5 | $100 | $300 | $200 | $200 |
| Small e-commerce store | $1–$2 | $0–$14.99 | $6.95 | $1–$5 | $100 | $300 | $0 | $200 |
| Large e-commerce store | $1–$2 | $0–$49.99 | $18.99 | $1–$5 | $100–$500+ | $600 | $200 | $200 |
This table shows that based on your type of business site, the average website maintenance cost falls between $10 to $1000 or above.
As a personal website requires comparatively fewer updates than larger ones, the monthly average cost of maintenance varies between $5 to $25.
Whereas, the upkeep cost for professional blogs and business websites can be $75 to $500 or more.
For example, the cost of maintenance can go beyond this figure for maintaining exceptionally big websites such as Netflix, eBay, and Amazon.
The size of the website and its functionality play a key role in its upkeep cost. Moreover, other factors come into play while calculating the exact website maintenance cost. Let’s discuss them in detail.
Website Maintenance Cost Breakdown Based on Different Components
Here is the list of major factors that impact website maintenance costs.
Domain Name
Average cost: $10 to $20 per year for new registration and $10 to $60 for renewal.
Your website requires a domain name which can cost you from $0 to $20 annually. Depending on your needs and budget, you can pick a free domain name or opt-in for a paid one. The price you pay is a one-time fee. The first year of domain cost is always cheaper, once the duration is over, you are required to renew your domain. The renewal domain cost can vary between $10 to $60 per year.
The following table shows the average cost of the .com domain with top domain name registrars.
| Domain Name Registrar | Cost of Domain Renewal |
|---|---|
| Bluehost | $19.99 |
| GoDaddy | $19.99 |
| DreamHost | $17.99 |
| HostGator | $17.99 |
| NameCheap | $13.99 |
Web Hosting
Average cost: $3 to $50 per month.
Web hosting is another necessary service for your website which also affects your SEO.
What is web hosting? To make your site live on the internet, you require a hosting plan. Although some website builders and CMS (content management systems) include hosting in their plan, technically they are still charging for it.
For high-traffic websites, web applications, and corporate sites, the cost of web hosting can fall between $50 to $100 per month. Whereas for an average small site, e-commerce store, and blog, the price could be $30 or even less. The hosting plan can also cost $500 per month. However, the exact cost depends on the type and web hosting provider you choose.
The following table will give you a rough idea of the average monthly cost of web hosting based on its type along with associated pros and cons.
| Type of Hosting | Pros | Cons | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | Best for beginners and is cost-effective. | Limited resources and less control. | $2.95 to $13.95 |
| Cloud Hosting | Best for fluctuating traffic sites. Reliable and scalable solution. | Complicated to manage. | $2.99 – $360 |
| Dedicated Hosting | Best for high-traffic sites and offers more control and resources. | Requires technical expertise. The most expensive hosting. | $89.99 – $739.99 |
| VPS Hosting | Best for growing websites. More control and resources. | Requires some level of technical experience. | $20 – $110 |
SSL Certificates
Average cost: $60 per year.
Having SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates is another aspect of the site that impacts website maintenance costs. SSL certificates are important and impact your website in two ways. First, search engines including Google consider websites without SSL certificates ‘unsecured’ which can affect your position in SERPs.
Secondly, these certificates encrypt all data sent by your website visitors to your server. Having SSL certificates protects the information that your visitors share with you, improving the credibility of your site. Talking about the cost, SSL certificate prices can range from $8 to $1000 annually.
Its precise cost depends on factors such as the type of SSL certificate, certification authority, and validation level. The following table shows the average annual cost of SSL certificates based on their type and features.
| Type of SSL Certificate | Average Yearly Cost | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Domain Validation (DV) SSL certificate | $5–$30 | Most affordable. Validates domain only. Best for small websites with basic security requirements. |
| Organization Validation (OV) SSL certificate | $50–$200 | Best for businesses handling sensitive data. Offers high-level security but is comparatively more expensive than DV certificates. |
| Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificate | $200– $1,000 or above | Offers a top level of validation and displays a green address bar that indicates the highest level of trust. Best for organizations such as e-commerce and financial institutions handling highly sensitive information. |
Plugins and Extensions
Average cost: $0 to $200 per year.
While installing plugins and extensions in a site is optional, to expand its functionality you require one. If you are using WordPress, you can access more than 59000 plugins and top free WordPress themes in its official library. Depending on your needs and budget, you can utilize free plugins. However, choosing premium options can improve your site functionality and of course the overall website maintenance cost.
You can start with freemium options and move to paid once your website starts growing. As free WordPress plugins will not require any major upkeep, premium plugins will cost you between $4 to $49 per month.
Here is the list of necessary plugins that can impact the website maintenance cost.
Website Security: Plugins offer automated malware detection, anti-spam bots, automated backup, and many more depending on your choice. These premium website security plugins can cost you between $50 to $500 per year.
Page Builders: Website page builders are designed to make web development easy and straightforward for beginners and non-technical individuals. Using these page builders, anyone can achieve professional-looking webpages which can cost you between $20 to $250 annually.
Contact Forms: Several websites depend on forms such as feedback forms, inquiry forms, message forms, etc. for generating leads for their business. Depending on your requirements, these plugins can cost you around $40 to $300 per year.
E-commerce Features: Websites selling products or services require plugins that offer basic e-commerce features. Depending on the requirement and size of your store, the cost of e-commerce development can cost you between $20 to $1000 or more per year.
Tech Support
Average cost: $0 to $500 per month.
Many people don’t think of investing in technical support until the real need arises. Fortunately, most web hosts and website builders make tech support part of their pricing plans. For casual bloggers and websites, this type of support would be enough. However, for high-traffic websites or once the business scales, reliable tech support becomes a necessity and adds up to the website maintenance cost.
Issues like broken contact forms, crashes, or security breaches require immediate action as they adversely impact customer experience and site traffic. Here, only a reliable source can offer that. The exact cost of tech support depends on factors such as the complexity of the issue, the type of service, and the provider you pick.
The following table shows the breakdown of monthly tech support costs.
| Type of Tech Support Service | Services Offered | Average Cost Per Hour/Per Month |
|---|---|---|
| Basic help desk | Offers basic troubleshooting. Readily available and low cost. | $25 to $75 |
| Tiered Support Plans | Different types of support based on opted plan. Services can range from basic troubleshooting and security monitoring to ongoing maintenance. | $50 to $500 or more |
| Retainer-Based Support | A dedicated team provides comprehensive support and manages all technical requirements of a site for a fixed monthly charge. | $500 to $5,000 or more per month |
| Hourly Rates | Provides a high degree of expertise and services based on a fixed hourly rate. | $50 to $200 per hour |
Email Services
Average cost: $0 to $10 per month.
After taking care of all the above essential aspects of your website, you might feel that everything is sorted. However, there are more worthy investments you need to make to acquire more traffic and improve the credibility of your brand. Having a dedicated email address such as [email protected] is one of those expenses.
The average cost of email services ranges from $1 to $20 per user per month. The below table shows the pricing models of popular email service providers.
| Email Service Provider | Monthly Cost | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 | Starts at $6 per user | Limited storage and basic features. |
| Zoho Mail | Starts at $1 per user | Decent storage and basic features. |
| MailChimp | Free as well as a paid plan (starts at 10 per month) | The free plan has limited features. Paid plans have additional functionalities. |
| Google Workspace | $6 per month per mailbox. | Give access to useful tools such as video conferencing, shared calendars, storage, etc. |
| G Suite | Starts at $6 per user | Limited storage and basic features. |
| SendGrid | Starting at $0.001 per email. | Price can go higher depending on the email volume. |
Web Designing
Average cost: $0 to $20 per month for DIY premium tools and $1000 to $6000 annually for hiring professionals.
Although web designing is optional, an attractive website is essential for numerous reasons. A stunning website not only appeals to your target audience and solidifies your branding but also affects your overall SEO. Your website design is the first point of contact that your visitors will have with your brand, so it has to be nothing less than spectacular.
When it comes to web designing, you get two options. Either you handle it yourself or hire website maintenance professionals within your budget. Website design can boost your SEO, so here is the breakdown of web design costs after factoring in this element. Read it and get a rough idea of your website upkeep costs.
| Type of Website | Cost of DIY | Cost of Hiring Professionals |
|---|---|---|
| Small Business Website | $500 – $1,500 | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| E-commerce Website | $1,500 – $3,000 | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| Blogging or Portfolio Websites | $0 – $500 | $1,000 – $5,000 |
These prices can be lower or higher depending on the features, complexity, and location. Although the cost of hiring a website maintenance professional might seem expensive, the level of expertise and experience often translates into their work which a DIY project lacks. There are several benefits of hiring a website maintenance professional but the choice is ultimately yours.
Web Analytics
Average cost: $0 to $99 per month.
Web analytics is all about tracking your site performance. Getting insights about your site’s performance enables you to improve areas that need some polishing and refinement. Both Google Analytics and Google Console are excellent options to attain this goal. However, if you need more analysis and want to invest in advanced insights, you need to factor it in when calculating the maintenance cost of websites.
Although the exact price of a web analytical tool depends on features, number of users, etc. you can expect to pay between $10 to $200 per month. The below contains the detailed pricing of popular web analytics tools.
| Tool Name | Monthly/Yearly Cost | Pricing Model |
|---|---|---|
| Google Analytics | The free plan has limited features. Paid plans start at $150,000 annually for big enterprises. | Freemium |
| MonsterInsights | The free plan has limited features. Paid plans start at $99 per year. | Freemium |
| Matomo | Free and self-hosted. Paid plans start at $19 per month. | Freemium |
| Mixpanel | Free for 1000 tracked users and paid plans start at $25 per month. | Freemium |
| Hotjar | The free plan has limited features and the paid plan starts at $31 per month. | Freemium |
| Adobe Analytics | You need to contact the company for a personalized quote. | Enterprise |
Content and SEO
Average cost: $0 to $1000 per month.
Content and SEO play a pivotal role in driving traffic to your business site. No matter how big or small your website is, it needs good content in the form of landing page copy, product descriptions, blog posts, etc. If you have expertise in content writing, you can write it yourself, otherwise, you have the option to outsource it, which can add up to your website maintenance cost.
The same goes with SEO, you can either do it yourself, invest in SEO tools, or hire a proficient SEO service provider who can push your site’s ranking to the top. Complex and large websites require more content and investment in SEO. Depending on your requirements, you can outsource content and SEO on an hourly or monthly basis.
Although factors such as the complexity of the site, level of competition, SEO coverage (link building, content creation, on-page optimization, etc.), and location play key roles in the maintenance cost of websites, you can expect to pay $100 to $500 per month.
The following table highlights the cost of content and SEO for websites seeking good positions in SERPs.
| Service | Average Cost Per Hour/Per Month |
|---|---|
| SEO Content Writing | $0.50 to $2 per word. |
| Content Writing | $0.10 to $0.50 per word. |
| On-Page SEO | $25 to $49 per hour. |
| SEO Consulting | $100 to $250 per hour. |
| Technical SEO | $25 to $49 per hour. |
| Monthly Charges for SEO and Content | $500 to $5,000 or above. |
The following table highlights the cost of content and SEO for websites seeking good positions in SERPs.Hiring Professionals or DIY: What Is Best For Website Maintenance?
Hiring a professional, freelancing, or opting for DIY are the top three approaches for building and maintaining a website. All paths have significant effects on website maintenance services costs and also the final output.
So, what should you choose for website maintenance; pro, freelancing, or DIY? The answer lies in the size, complexity, and amount of traffic you get on your site. If your site is getting around 10,000 visitors each day, taking professional website maintenance services is recommended.
Whereas, if you are running a small website like a hobby blog, you should consider handling maintenance yourself. However, some aspects of website maintenance require a lot of time which you could spend on core activities. In this case, you can opt for budgeted website maintenance plans that take care of repairs, updates, 404 error detection, etc.
Whether you opt for freelancing, professional, or DIY website maintenance, you should know the involved expenses in all options as it will increase the maintenance cost of websites. The table below shows the cost of DIY, freelancing, and pro web maintenance along with the features of each option.
| Maintenance Approach | Average Monthly Cost | Features |
|---|---|---|
| DIY | Less than $1000 | An excellent option to save website maintenance costs. A deep understanding of web functionality and core technical aspects is required. Mistakes can lead to security vulnerabilities, broken functionality, and increased site downtime. |
| Professional | $200 to $4500 | They handle the site’s most complicated and technical aspects. Software updates, performance optimization, and security audits are done regularly. |
| Freelance Expert/Outsource IT Department | $18 to $20 per hour | Website monitoring for security vulnerabilities, backup data, optimization of performance, fixing broken links, and plugin updates. |
So, this was the average cost of all three approaches in website maintenance. Let’s take a look into the pros and cons of all these options to make an informed decision for your website upkeep.
Pros and Cons of DIY Website Maintenance
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cost-effective: Significant money can be saved that is supposed to be paid to freelancers or agencies in other options. | Technicality: Extensive technical expertise is required to manage plugins, CMS, themes, etc. |
| Control: Complete control over the entire website maintenance process, customization of tasks, and flexibility in making decisions. | Errors: The smallest errors can lead to the breakdown of functionality, security threats, downtime, and more issues. |
| Understanding: You gain a deeper understanding of the functionality and technical aspects of your site. | Time: DIY website maintenance requires consistent effort and consumes a lot of time. |
| Flexibility: Maintenance tasks can be scheduled according to availability and convenience. |
Pros and Cons of Professional Website Maintenance
| Pros | Cons |
| Expertise: Professionals have expertise and experience in handling intricate web-related tasks. | Cost: Professional web maintenance services come with a cost that might be expensive for small businesses or budget-conscious sites. |
| Ensured Results: They ensure the website’s safety, optimization, and functionality at all times. | Control: Professionals have complete control over the maintenance process. |
| Time: As professionals handle your website maintenance, it saves your time which can directed to core business activities. | Right Fit: Finding a reliable professional web maintenance agency can be time-consuming as it needs proper research. |
| Proactive: They follow a proactive approach to detect and address likely issues that impact website security and performance. | |
| Tools: They have access to specialized resources and tools that are not available to anyone else. |
Pros and Cons of Freelancing Website Maintenance
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Low Cost: Hiring a freelancer for website maintenance services is more affordable. | Right Fit: Identifying skilled and reliable freelancers is time-consuming and requires detailed research. |
| Flexible Price: Freelancers can offer flexible pricing options, you can choose one aligning with the project scope. | Time: You need to invest your time to convey your expectations to get the project completed within specific deadlines. |
| Specific Skills: You can find freelancers with particular skills matching with your website needs. | Conflicting Schedule: As freelancers take on multiple projects at a time, their availability might be affected. This can lead to delays. |
| Availability: Freelancers are readily available and complete the maintenance task quicker. |
So, these were some advantages and drawbacks related to DIY, pro, and freelancing website maintenance. You can weigh them and see what suits your budget and requirements.
Now, let’s take a look at cost-saving methods to minimize website maintenance costs.
Top Methods To Reduce Website Maintenance Cost: Budgeting and Cost-Saving Strategies
By now, you have understood that website maintenance costs come with a huge price tag. However, you can work on some areas and keep the cost to a minimum.
Here is a list of effective methods to upkeep your website without breaking the bank.
Simplicity
The upkeep cost of a website can go up if you choose a complex design as it requires more expertise and maintenance efforts. To keep the cost minimum, opt for a simple and clean design with fewer functionalities and features. Plus, keep reviewing and decluttering your site’s content. Remove unnecessary pages, outdated content, and unused resources.
Updates
Choose automated updation for themes and plugins to avoid potential errors and minimize manual work. Prioritize crucial updates that are related to the security of your website. This helps you avoid heavy maintenance costs that arise when critical issues are overlooked and translate into bigger ones.
Free Tools
If you are running on a tight budget, take advantage of free tools for website analytics, image optimization, and SEO. Such tools can handle basic tasks and minimize the website maintenance cost.
Hosting Plans
When you choose a hosting plan, make sure you select a reliable provider. You can considerably minimize your website maintenance efforts if your hosting plan offers automatic backups and top-notch security features.
Strategic Outsourcing
Accept it, not everyone can accomplish complex tasks that require deep technical expertise. So, whenever you feel the requirement, opt for outsourcing those intricate tasks such as advanced SEO optimization and security audits. Whenever you choose a company to outsource your needs, compare and pick one that offers expertise within your budget.
User-friendly CMS
Use open-source and user-friendly CMS such as WordPress. This ensures that you achieve intuitive design without needing any technical expertise. Managing an easy-to-use CMS makes management effortless and minimizes the requirement for possessing extensive technical know-how.
How Regularly Does A Website Need Maintenance?
So, this was all about website maintenance costs and methods to bring it to the minimum level. Now, the question is ‘how often is website maintenance required? There is no single ‘one-size-fits-all’ answer to this question. The definite answer depends on numerous factors such as:
Complexity and Size of the Website
A website with a simple design and minimum functionalities requires less maintenance which is done every few months or as per the requirement. Whereas complex and large websites with e-commerce features and dynamic content need frequent updates and have high-security needs.
Such sites require effective CMS management and frequent plugin and theme updates, regular security scans to detect and resolve vulnerabilities, and content updates and optimization.
Required SEO and Content Updates
Most websites create content and carry out SEO optimization on a monthly or quarterly basis. However, websites that extremely rely on fresh content to attract new visitors. They need to update content and SEO once or twice a week.
Security Implications
No matter how big, small, or complex your website is, vulnerability scans and security updates need to be conducted regularly. Depending on your industry and the nature of your business, security updates and scans can be done once a week to bi-monthly.
Website Maintenance Approach
If you handle your site maintenance yourself, you can manage it based on your time availability and requirements. Whereas, if have opted for hourly outsourcing, the expert will perform the maintenance as needed. On the other hand, a monthly retainer takes care of website upkeep regularly and runs maintenance services that are included in your plan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Website Maintenance Cost in 2024
Do I need to pay for website maintenance every month?
Not necessarily. Website maintenance depends on the complexity of your site, your technical know-how, your maintenance approach (freelancing, DIY, or Pro), etc.
How can I find affordable website maintenance options?
You can utilize free and paid website builders such as WordPress, Wix, GoDaddy, etc., or hire professionals with a budget plan. To get affordable pro website maintenance solutions, research and compare different options, and understand pricing structures.
What Is included in website maintenance?
Depending on the plan, regular updates, security monitoring, site performance optimization, data backups, error detection & fixation, and more are included in the website maintenance.
What factors affect website maintenance costs?
Frequency of updates, hosting, security needs, location, complexity and size of the website, etc. impact the total website maintenance cost.
Can I handle website maintenance myself?
Yes, you can manage website maintenance yourself if you are budget-conscious. However, you need to possess technical skills in basic coding, CMS (content management system), and plugins to manage maintenance efficiently.
How much does website maintenance cost per month?
Although the website maintenance cost depends on your site’s complexity, maintenance needs, size, and maintenance options (DIY, freelancing, or pro), you can expect to pay between $5 to $5000 each month.
What are the drawbacks of handling website maintenance myself?
Handling website maintenance yourself requires deep technical proficiency and time commitment. Even a small error can lead to costly downtime, make your site vulnerable to security threats, or break down a functionality.
Final Note: Website Maintenance Cost in 2024
If you launch and forget about your website, it will become redundant, and outdated, and your business will miss out on huge opportunities.
Regular maintenance ensures a seamless user experience and keeps your website less vulnerable to cyber attacks. Accessing your website each month not only ensures smooth function but also enables you to understand areas that need improvement.
While website maintenance cost depends on numerous aspects, understanding each factor can help you make informed decisions. Based on your site needs and type, the cost usually falls between $5 to $5000 per month or $6 to $60,000 per year.
The elements that we discussed in our blog are essential aspects of website maintenance.
Remember, don’t consider website maintenance an expenditure, it is a crucial investment that thrives your online presence. Whether you choose to manage its upkeep yourself or outsource it to an experienced professional, prioritizing website maintenance is vital!
