{"id":1352,"date":"2025-03-04T12:52:59","date_gmt":"2025-03-04T12:52:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/join.ourlocality.org\/?p=1352"},"modified":"2025-03-13T10:16:50","modified_gmt":"2025-03-13T10:16:50","slug":"set-a-website-budget-a-simple-guide-%e2%9c%a8%f0%9f%92%b0%f0%9f%93%8a","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ourlocality.org\/signup\/2025\/03\/set-a-website-budget-a-simple-guide-%e2%9c%a8%f0%9f%92%b0%f0%9f%93%8a\/","title":{"rendered":"Set a Website Budget: A Simple Guide \u2728\ud83d\udcb0\ud83d\udcca"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Many people ask, “How much should I spend on my website?” The answer isn\u2019t always clear, but by breaking it down step by step you can start to set a realistic budget. \ud83c\udfaf\ud83d\udcc8\ud83d\udca1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. What Does a Website Do?<\/strong> \ud83d\udda5\ufe0f\ud83d\udce2\ud83d\udd0d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A website is a marketing tool<\/strong> and a reputation builder<\/strong>. Just like other marketing efforts, it helps businesses connect with customers, gain customers and clients, sell services and intangibly – build trust. \ud83d\udce3\ud83d\udee0\ufe0f\ud83c\udf0e A website-first strategy is also better for keeping an up-to-date and searchable archive, compared to relying too much on social media, where content is often hard to find. \ud83d\udd0e\ud83d\udcc2\u2705<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look at Your Non-Digital Marketing Costs<\/strong> \ud83d\udcdd\ud83d\udcb8\ud83d\udce6<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before deciding on a website budget, add up what you already spend on traditional marketing, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Print materials<\/strong>: Designing, printing, and distributing flyers or brochures.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Advertising<\/strong>: Posters, ads in magazines, or local papers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Promotional efforts<\/strong>: Handing out leaflets, attending events, or networking.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Time spent<\/strong>: Working with designers, reviewing print materials, and managing these processes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Adding up these costs shows how much you already invest in reaching out. \ud83c\udff7\ufe0f\ud83d\udcca\ud83d\udd8a\ufe0f<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    3. How Effective Are Your Traditional Methods?<\/strong> \ud83d\udcc9\ud83d\udcec\ud83e\udd14<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Many businesses don\u2019t track their return on investment (ROI)<\/strong> for offline marketing. Ask yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Do customers respond to flyers and posters?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Have outdated materials caused confusion or wasted effort?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Does distributing print materials actually bring in new customers (my paper recycling is right by the front door for all the unsolicited junk)?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      If traditional methods aren\u2019t working well, shifting more of your budget online might actually make sense. \ud83d\uded1\u26a0\ufe0f\ud83d\udd04<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      4. Why a Website Can Be More Effective<\/strong> \ud83c\udf10\ud83d\udcf2\ud83d\udcbb<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      A well-designed website can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Save money<\/strong> by reducing printing and distribution costs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Provide up-to-date information<\/strong> without needing reprints.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Make communication easier<\/strong> with forms, FAQs, and automated responses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Improve your reputation<\/strong>, which helps when applying for grants or funding.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        5. Check Your Brand Assets<\/strong> \ud83c\udfa8\ud83d\udcf8\ud83d\udd8b\ufe0f<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        If your logo, images, or branding look outdated\u2014like an old photocopy or an over optimised image\u2014investing in professional design will make your website look more modern and credible. \ud83d\udd04\u2728\ud83d\udce2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        6. Understand Customer Acquisition Costs<\/strong> \ud83d\udcb5\ud83d\udecd\ufe0f\ud83d\udcca<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        By tracking how much it costs to gain a new customer, you can decide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        • How much to spend on digital vs. traditional marketing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Whether social media, email marketing should be part of your website strategy – yes they probably should be, but not exclusively – you are using socials to push your proposition (your site) – social platforms want you to stay on their platform.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          7. Invest in Growth<\/strong> \ud83d\ude80\ud83d\udcc8\ud83d\udca1<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          A website isn\u2019t just another expense\u2014it\u2019s an investment in your business. A well-designed site can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          • Build trust with customers<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Attract more leads<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Make it easier for people to learn about your business<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            Trying to save money by cutting corners can backfire\u2014just like closing a store early because sales are low. The more accessible and useful your website is, the better results it will bring. \ud83c\udfea\u23f3\ud83d\udce3<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            8. Set a Realistic Budget<\/strong> \ud83d\udcb0\ud83d\udcca\ud83d\udee0\ufe0f<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

            A few thousand pounds for a website is a reasonable investment when considering:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n
            • Professional design and development.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Search engine optimization (SEO) to get found online.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Regular maintenance and updates.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Integrations with tools like email marketing or booking systems.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

              By focusing on what customers need and cutting wasteful marketing efforts, you can maximize your website\u2019s value. \ud83c\udfaf\ud83d\udca1\ud83d\udd0e<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              9. Review and Improve Over Time<\/strong> \ud83d\udd04\ud83d\udcca\ud83d\udce2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
                \n
              • Track your website\u2019s performance and ROI.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Adjust based on analytics and customer feedback.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Keep it updated to match your business goals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                A website isn\u2019t a one-time purchase\u2014it\u2019s a tool that should grow and improve over time. \ud83c\udf31\ud83d\udcbb\ud83d\udcc8<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Here\u2019s a clear and easy-to-understand table comparing traditional marketing budget heads<\/strong> with new online marketing budget heads<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Traditional Marketing Budget Heads<\/strong> \ud83c\udfdb\ufe0f<\/th>New Online Marketing Budget Heads<\/strong> \ud83c\udf10<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
                Print Materials<\/strong> (flyers, brochures, posters, magazines)<\/td>Website Development<\/strong> (design, setup, hosting)<\/td><\/tr>
                Printing & Distribution Costs<\/strong><\/td>SEO & Content Strategy<\/strong> (to ensure visibility in search results)<\/td><\/tr>
                Advertising<\/strong> (local newspapers, magazine ads, billboards)<\/td>Digital Advertising<\/strong> (Google Ads, Facebook Ads, social media boosts)<\/td><\/tr>
                Promotional Events<\/strong> (trade shows, networking, leaflet distribution)<\/td>Email Marketing & CRM<\/strong> (newsletters, automated customer engagement)<\/td><\/tr>
                Time Spent Preparing Physical Materials<\/strong><\/td>Social Media Management<\/strong> (content creation, engagement, scheduling)<\/td><\/tr>
                Branding & Design Costs<\/strong> (print-based)<\/td>Branding & UX Design<\/strong> (digital-friendly logos, modern typography, layouts)<\/td><\/tr>
                Time Spent on Offline Customer Support<\/strong> (phone calls, walk-ins)<\/td>Automated Customer Support<\/strong> (chatbots, contact forms, FAQs)<\/td><\/tr>
                Physical Storage & Inventory for Marketing Materials<\/strong><\/td>Cloud-based Storage & Data Management<\/strong> (Google Drive, Dropbox, website databases)<\/td><\/tr>
                Printing Corrections & Reprints<\/strong><\/td>Website Updates & Maintenance<\/strong> (content refresh, security patches)<\/td><\/tr>
                Word of Mouth & Local Reputation<\/strong><\/td>Online Reviews & Reputation Management<\/strong> (Google Reviews, Trustpilot, social proof)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                This table helps visualise how budget priorities shift when moving from traditional to digital marketing. Here are 2 examples designed to help think it through for a community hall and a weeken event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Example 1: Community Hall <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                For a community hall running events year-round<\/strong>, the minimum marketing budget<\/strong> would likely fall into the following ranges:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                1. Traditional (Print-Only) Approach \u2013 From \u00a33,000\/year<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                \u2714 Flyers, posters, and banners (\u00a31,500+)
                \u2714 Newspaper\/magazine ads (\u00a3500+)
                \u2714 Printed event programs or schedules (\u00a3500+)
                \u2714 Distribution costs (local volunteers or paid services) (\u00a3500+)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                2. Digital-Only Approach<\/strong> \u2013 From \u00a32,000\/year<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                \u2714 Website or event listing page (\u00a3500-\u00a31,000)
                \u2714 SEO & online promotion (\u00a3300+)
                \u2714 Social media ads & content (\u00a3500+)
                \u2714 Email marketing & booking system (\u00a3300+)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                3. Blended Approach (Print + Digital)<\/strong> \u2013 From \u00a35,000\/year<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                \u2714 Mix of local print advertising<\/strong> (posters, flyers, event programs) and digital tools<\/strong> (website, social media, email marketing).
                \u2714 Enough budget to maintain consistent promotion<\/strong> across different event types and audiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Key Takeaways for Community Hall Marketing<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                \u2705 Digital<\/strong> marketing (website, email, social media) is ideal for promoting frequent events, keeping schedules updated, and engaging the community.
                \u2705 Print<\/strong> is useful for community noticeboards, local venues, and reaching non-digital audiences.
                \u2705 A balanced approach<\/strong> ensures affordability and flexibility<\/strong> while reaching a diverse audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                \n\n\n\n

                Example 2: Local event management<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                For a local event<\/strong> like a weekend festival<\/strong>, the minimum marketing budget<\/strong> would likely fall into the following ranges:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                1. Traditional (Print-Only) Approach<\/strong> \u2013 From \u00a33,000<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                \u2714 Flyers, posters, and banners (\u00a31,500+)
                \u2714 Newspaper\/magazine ads (\u00a3500+)
                \u2714 Printed programs or event guides (\u00a31,000+)
                \u2714 Distribution costs (volunteers or local services)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                2. Digital-Only Approach<\/strong> \u2013 From \u00a32,000<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                \u2714 Website or event landing page (\u00a3500-\u00a31,000)
                \u2714 SEO & online promotion (\u00a3300+)
                \u2714 Social media ads & content (\u00a3500+)
                \u2714 Email marketing & ticketing system (\u00a3300+)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                3. Blended Approach (Print + Digital)<\/strong> \u2013 From \u00a35,000<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                \u2714 A mix of targeted print materials<\/strong> (flyers, posters, banners) and digital outreach<\/strong> (website, social media, email marketing).
                \u2714 Enough budget to maximize reach<\/strong> while avoiding excessive spend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Key Takeaways for Festival\/Event Marketing<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                \u2705 Digital<\/strong> is cost-effective for ticket sales, promotion, and ongoing engagement.
                \u2705 Print<\/strong> helps reach local audiences who may not engage online (e.g., posters in caf\u00e9s, physical programs).
                \u2705 A balanced approach<\/strong> ensures visibility across different audience types.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                Many people ask, “How much should I spend on my website?” The answer isn\u2019t always clear, but by breaking it down step by step you can start to set a realistic budget. \ud83c\udfaf\ud83d\udcc8\ud83d\udca1 1. What Does a Website Do? \ud83d\udda5\ufe0f\ud83d\udce2\ud83d\udd0d A website is a marketing tool and a reputation builder. Just like other marketing efforts,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1353,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"templates\/template-cover.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1352","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tw-post-has-image-16-9","tw-meta-no-icon"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/ourlocality.org\/signup\/files\/2025\/03\/pexels-photo-326503.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paMuvj-lO","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ourlocality.org\/signup\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1352","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ourlocality.org\/signup\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ourlocality.org\/signup\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ourlocality.org\/signup\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ourlocality.org\/signup\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1352"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/ourlocality.org\/signup\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1352\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1372,"href":"https:\/\/ourlocality.org\/signup\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1352\/revisions\/1372"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ourlocality.org\/signup\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1353"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ourlocality.org\/signup\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1352"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ourlocality.org\/signup\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1352"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ourlocality.org\/signup\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1352"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}