Web Design Pricing Guide for Agencies

Web design pricing is a balancing act for any agency. Clients prioritize finding an experienced agency at a price that they can afford. On the other hand, agencies need to account for the cost of web design and development, which can vary depending on the complexity and the level of customization that a project requires. This balance between client affordability and the effort involved in development creates a competitive market for web design services. 

At White Label Agency,  our partnership with hundreds of agencies over the years has taught us how to balance cost-effectiveness with high-quality design. With our experience, we will provide our proven outlook on how to set prices for design services and the possible influencing factors during that process.

A Breakdown of Web Design Pricing Options

Depending on the agency’s design needs and the client’s priorities, the WordPress marketplace offers a variety of pricing structures.

1. Hourly/Monthly Rate: When you charge an hourly/monthly rate, you invoice your client for the total number of hours or months that you have worked on the design. This pricing strategy is particularly effective for long-term projects that undergo changes or when you are starting out. Moreover, it gives you a better understanding of the amount of time required for each type of project.
2. Project-based pricing: A project-based charge means you ask for a fixed fee to complete a specific project or service. Fixed rates enable both parties to focus on the ultimate value of the deliverable. End clients with small budgets prefer paying per-project prices since it provides the flexibility and predictability to account for costs. However, for projects requiring a truly unique brand experience, custom design is often the way to go.

The Price of Expertise: Levels of Dedicated Designers and Project Costs

The right design fit can make or break a project’s success. So the qualifications of a dedicated designer are essential. The exact web design pricing for  hourly/monthly rate designers depends on the level of expertise of a designer:

• Junior designers – Junior designers have the lowest price range considering their l inexperience and narrow capabilities. The price range per hour in the U.S. is around $25 to $50. With their knowledge of WordPress fundamentals and familiarity with popular WordPress themes and plugins, they can customize existing themes using the theme customizer and basic CSS.

• Mid-Level Designers – Mid-level designers bring more advanced skills to the table. With expertise in user experience (UX) design principles and user interface (UI) design patterns, they can create SEO design elements to target the audience. Technical skills such as creating sitemaps or custom post types increase their value on the market. The price range per hour in the U.S. for mid-level designers can range from $50 to $100 per hour. 

• Senior Designers: Senior designers are highly sought after because they possess extensive technical and personal skills, coupled with a  deep expertise in design.. These professionals are adept problem-solvers who can tackle all of the complex design challenges within WordPress. They are proficient in developing customized WordPress themes from scratch and have a profound understanding of custom plugins for specific design elements. Moreover, they keep themselves updated with the latest design trends and marketing strategies to ensure that the finished website is competitive. The hourly rate for senior-level designers in the U.S. can range from $100 to $150.

Since the demand for custom design services is high, let’s take a look at the price range. The cost of a custom design in the U.S. ranges anywhere from $1,000-$10,000 depending on the scope and requirements of the project.

Additional Costs 

Web design pricing typically comes with additional costs. There are technical aspects that come into play throughout the process. These little details can have a big impact on overall costs. For instance:

• Implementing sticky menu navigation – makes using menu items easier for visitors by preventing them from needing to repeatedly scroll back up to the top of the page.
• Mega Menu – an expandable menu that packs a website’s entire navigation into a single interface. 
• A menu with more features and functions than the Bootstrap or Foundation default menus. 
• CSS animations
• Implementing slideshows and/or parallax elements. 

Also, geographical location is an important factor that affects the cost of design services. Even within the same country, agencies may encounter varying prices. Regions with a higher cost of living usually have higher design rates. However, thanks to the rise of remote work, agencies now have the opportunity to tap into talent pools in more affordable locations.

White Label Agency: Design Services

Clear project requirements and requests for quotes from multiple designers are essential for determining the most accurate cost estimate for web design pricing.

At White Label Agency, we offer customized pricing solutions that fit your specific needs. If you prefer to both design and build with our team, we can set a price for the entire job. Our team is proficient in popular frameworks such as Bootstrap and Foundation and also has experience with Genesis, ensuring the delivery of the desired solution.

Contact our sales team to discuss your agency’s needs and discover how White Label Agency can help you achieve the perfect design solution for your end clients.