As a digital marketing agency with years of experience, it’s safe to say we understand the immense value a well-designed website brings to any organization.
We’ve seen firsthand how adequate care and attention can set a website up as a business’s foundation for long-term online success.
However, everything comes at a cost. So, how does one evaluate the cost of websites in the Philippines? The price tags associated with developing and maintaining a website can be vastly different, especially in a diverse market like the Philippines.
Whether you’re a startup looking to build your first site or an established business aiming to revamp your website, the pricing information is critical for planning and execution. This article covers just that to help you create the website of your dreams.
5 Factors that Affect Website Development Costs in the Philippines
A lot goes into a fully functional website, from its design and functionality to ongoing maintenance and updates. Several factors influence the overall cost of developing and maintaining your online platform.
Understanding these factors and what they do will help you plan an accurate and realistic budget to ensure you get the most value for your investment.
| Website Development Costs in the Philippines | |
| Expense | Cost |
| Domain name registration | ₱1,175 to ₱3,525 annually |
| Web hosting | ₱ 1,200 to ₱6,000 annually |
| Design and user experience (UX) | ₱600 to ₱4,400 per hour OR ₱50,000 to ₱500,000 per project |
| Development and functionality | ₱20,000 to ₱195,000 per month depending on developer experience |
| Website maintenance | ₱1,000 to ₱2,000 per month |
1. Domain name registration
What’s in a name? Your domain name is your website’s address online, and your choice can impact your brand identity. It’s one of the first expenses you’ll encounter in website development.
The cost of registering a domain name can vary depending on the extension you choose, with some being more affordable than others. Here are some common domain extensions:
- .com
- .net
- .org
- .ph
- .com.ph
- .net.ph
- .org.ph
The registration fee for a domain name typically ranges from $20 (₱1175) to $60 (₱3525) per year. There’s also a renewal fee paid annually to retain ownership and, sometimes, a transfer fee if you move your domain to another service provider.
2. Web hosting
Your website has to exist on an accessible server for people to be able to interact with it.
Web hosting provides that service, making it a crucial factor in your website development costs. The cost of web hosting varies based on the type you choose and the level of service you require.
Basic plans, suitable for simpler websites with moderate traffic, typically start at around ₱100 to ₱200 per month, billed yearly.
Websites with more functionality and/or expecting higher traffic, like eCommerce sites, can range anywhere from ₱300 to ₱500 a month, billed yearly.
Optional features, such as managed hosting services, can push that figure much higher.
Note that web hosting and domain name registration prices of website packages in the Philippines may appear low or even free, but they tend to rely on the purchase of the opposite.
For example, a deal may offer a free domain name for the first year if you purchase a web hosting plan and vice versa.
3. Design and user experience (UX)
Your choice of domain name and web hosting service are only important if people actually want to use your site.
Design and user experience are necessary for capturing and retaining visitors’ interest. There’s no fixed for web design because the cost depends on a website’s goals and functionalities.
Some potential requirements for more complex and dynamic websites include:
- UX research
- User stories
- Personas
- Prototyping
- Wireframing
However, there are ballpark estimates for this category. According to industry references, web designers in the Philippines can charge an hourly rate of ₱600 to ₱1500 per hour for basic skill levels and ₱1500 to ₱4400 per hour for experts.
Alternatively, some charge on a per-project basis, with costs ranging anywhere from ₱50,000 to ₱500,000 or more.
4. Development and functionality
Development and functionality represent one of the most significant cost factors in making a website.
This phase encompasses the coding and programming required to build the site, implement features such as eCommerce capabilities and interactive elements, and ensure its smooth operation.
Costs naturally escalate with the complexity and number of features, custom development requirements, and the level of expertise needed to execute the project.
In the Philippines, the salary range for web developers varies depending on their experience, skills, and the complexity of the project. Roughly speaking, they are:
| Web Developer Skill Level | Monthly Salary Range |
| Junior | ₱20,000 to ₱31,000 |
| Intermediate | ₱24,000 to ₱67,000 |
| Senior | ₱47,000 to ₱195,000 |
Source: Glassdoor
Besides the website itself, creating content like articles, infographics, and videos also incurs expenses. Quality content enhances user experiences and boosts search engine visibility.
If you need assistance with content creation, consider checking out our Content Marketing Services page for tailored solutions.
5. Website maintenance
Website maintenance is essential for keeping things smooth, secure, and up to date. It involves several key aspects, including regular updates to the website’s software, plugins, and security protocols to protect against vulnerabilities and ensure optimal performance
This process can also include updating content, fixing broken links, and addressing technical issues that may arise.
Another critical aspect of website maintenance is monitoring site speed and performance. Slow-loading pages can frustrate visitors and negatively impact search engine rankings.
Website maintenance costs in the Philippines vary significantly based on site and task complexity and if you choose to do maintenance in-house or outsourced.
The most basic services, including updates, security monitoring, and backups, can charge around a few thousand Pesos per month.
7 Tips to Drive Down the Website Price in the Philippines
Driving down web development costs doesn’t always mean cutting corners. Implementing practical strategies and learning the process in-depth can reveal places to save without sacrificing quality.
1. Clearly define goals
“Wouldn’t it be cool if our website could…” Yes, but it would also add months of unplanned development time and several major restructurings.
Feature creep can quickly balloon your costs out of proportion. That’s why it’s essential to clearly define your goals and objectives from the outset to keep costs manageable and ensure efficient development.
Setting realistic expectations and aligning all your features around your core objectives lets you streamline development and optimize your budget efficiently.
2. Do your research
Comparing and evaluating market prices can help you make informed decisions and avoid overpaying for services. It may be tempting to just go with your gut after seeing a few options, but doing that can make you pay more for fewer features.
Research different service providers and inspect their pricing structure and offerings with a fine-tooth comb.
This process will help you find the best value for your budget and clue you in on what a “basic level” service might look like for every aspect of building your website.
Luckily, in the Philippines, many local developers offer competitive rates without compromising on quality.
3. Create a limited number of web pages
For initial development, consider focusing your resources and efforts on a limited number of web pages to keep costs down.
Focus on essential pages that communicate your brand, products, and services effectively. Your starting pages should provide crucial information without overwhelming visitors with unnecessary content.
As the business grows, additional pages like testimonials and FAQs can enhance the user experience by supplementing your core pages.
Considering the Filipino penchant for storytelling and compelling narratives, adding a dedicated page for company history or founder’s story can also resonate well with local audiences.
4. Focus on essential features
Similarly, each page may have some bells and whistles inflating development costs, namely complex and unnecessary animations there only for visual appeal and not for their functionality.
The important features are those that allow your business to operate. For example, contact forms, product listings, and checkout processes.
A startup website should prioritize features like a streamlined product catalog and a secure payment gateway. As the business grows, you can add additional features incrementally based on user feedback and evolving needs.
5. Break up the project into stages
Overwhelming tasks can be easier to digest once you break them down into their separate parts. Divide the website development project into manageable stages to avoid high upfront costs.
Each stage needs to be properly executed before proceeding to the next, ensuring that resources are used efficiently and costly reworks are minimized.
Most web development processes have mandatory steps to execute properly, though some may be interchangeable. These are:
- Information gathering
- Planning & design
- Functionality & content
- Testing & launch
- Monitoring and updates
6. Adopt straightforward content
While following trends can provide a boost, clear and concise content never goes out of style. Focus on communicating your message effectively using simple and intuitive formats and navigation to engage visitors and drive conversions.
Simplify your content (and, therefore, the site design supporting that content!) with clear language and concise descriptions. Visual elements can also convey information rapidly and without extra development time.
7. Outsource web development
As the salary figures of Filipino developers above show, in-house website development and maintenance are costly endeavors.
Consider outsourcing parts or all of your project to reputable agencies or freelancers. The Philippines is known for its talented pool of IT professionals who offer quality services at a fraction of the cost compared to other countries.
Outsourcing is a fantastic way to access specialized expertise and resources without the overhead costs of hiring and training your own team.
For example, if you’re expanding your website to include a new service, your web design may need a makeover. Freelance web designers who have experience with your new requirements will likely produce better results.
From Idea to Outline: Mastering Website Development
Having a functional, quality website is becoming a necessary cost of doing business today. Businesses are striving to establish their presence on this frontier, which means the impact of your website is becoming increasingly apparent.
However, that also means people’s expectations are rising with the heightened competition.
Your website is the face of your brand online, and it requires continuous improvement to remain competitive. At Spiralytics, we understand the importance of a strong online presence and offer our expertise in web design services.
If you want a reliable partner to elevate your website to the next level, Contact Us or Get a Quote today!
