Establishing a strong online presence requires commitment and a comprehensive marketing strategy. It's an investment in your fitness business, and like any investment it requires time and money.
Commonly, fitness business owners view creating their website as a hurdle, especially when it comes to cost. With a wide array of web design options available it can be difficult to identify just how much your website will cost.
Before you choose which fitness website design service is right for you, you need to understand all the associated expenses (and potential hidden fees).
Let’s examine the costs associated with building a fitness business website and explore how web builders like UpLaunch ASAP can provide a more cost-effective solution.
The Price Tag of a Website
Search "website development costs” online, and you’ll quickly realize the consensus is that “it varies.” It’s true; the cost of designing your website will ultimately depend on which fitness website design service you choose. Whether you’re DIYing your website, hiring a professional designer, or leveraging streamlined tools like the ASAP website builder, one thing is certain: you want a straightforward answer on how much your fitness business website will cost.
When hiring a professional website designer, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $20,000, depending on if you’re paying hourly fees or submitting a bid for the entire project. Keep in mind that professional designers often charge extra for edits and revisions, so additional fees may exceed the original quote for building your website.
Hourly rates vary widely depending on the freelancer or agency that you’re working with. Freelancers may charge between $30-$80 per hour, which can add up quickly. If your project takes 30 hours to complete at $75/hour, you’ll be looking at a bill of $2,250 (and that’s before you do any revisions!).
The cost of using a website builder can vary across platforms depending on the tools and templates available. While we can’t speak for everyone else, you can get full access to the ASAP web builder for one flat monthly rate (with no build fees!).
Additional Expenses to Consider
Alongside the cost of your main website, don’t forget to consider the other expenses that come with building a website. Without an all-in-one bundle, you may face additional expenses like:
Domain Name
You’ll need to purchase a domain name—and again, costs vary. It’s possible to purchase a domain name for a little under $20, but the cost increases if another individual or organization already has the rights to the name you want. In that case, purchasing the desired domain name could cost thousands of dollars (assuming that the parties involved wish to sell). This is one of the first and most important steps in creating a successful website. Choosing a good name is key!
Content Creation
Offering compelling content is critical to the success of your fitness business website. Costs associated with content creation vary depending on the complexity of the copy, requirements for professional writing, the frequency of updates, and which agency or freelancer you choose to work with. Platforms like UpWork boast freelancers who charge as little as $25 per hour, but you’ll also find hourly rates as high as $100 per hour.
Regardless of price, your content should always align with your brand messaging, interest your clients, and position you as an expert in the fitness space.
Imagery
To connect with your audience, your website will need high-quality photos. High-resolution stock photos can cost between 50 cents-$15 per image. If you want high-quality photos of your individual business, you may also need to hire a professional photographer. Prices can vary depending on your location and photographer, but you can expect to pay a few hundred dollars per session. Keep in mind that you may have to pay for the use of those images as well.
E-Commerce Functionality
If you plan on selling services, fitness products, or brand merchandise, integrating e-commerce is necessary. The cost to integrate e-commerce functionality again varies depending on complexity, level of customization required, payment gateway integration, and the platform you choose. Expect to pay regular processing fees when taking online orders plus monthly hosting fees depending on the platform you choose.
SEO & Marketing
To maximize your website’s visibility and draw in more clients, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and digital marketing are key. Building an SEO strategy and ongoing marketing campaigns incurs ongoing costs, depending on frequency and scale and whether you need specialists, performance marketing tools, or analytics.
Keyword research tools like Semrush may charge monthly fees, whereas hiring marketing or SEO experts would incur hourly rates. Average monthly subscriptions start around $100 per month, and freelancers range from $20-$150 per hour.
Web Hosting Services
Prices depend on whether you want to pay for dedicated services (usually up to $50 per month) or shared hosting services, which offer even lower prices.
Ongoing Updates
Remember how we mentioned hourly web design rates? Those hold true for ongoing web updates and maintenance as well. If you partner with a freelancer or a professional developer to create your website, you’ll need to hire them again in the future to ensure your website stays current with security updates and implement your regular site updates. Every time they make changes to your website, you’ll need to pay their hourly rate.
SSL Certificate
A Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a digital certificate that provides authentication for a website and enables an encrypted connection. An SSL certificate is key to providing secure communication and building customer confidence. The average cost of an SSL certificate is between $70-$80 per year, but the costs can vary wildly depending on your website’s security needs and the plan you sign up for.
Your website is an investment in your fitness business, but it shouldn’t break your budget. When choosing your website building tools, always make sure to explore different options and make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals and budget.