How Much do Australians Bid for Web Design?

We've collected over 5932 web design leads within the last 28 months and performed a detailed study about the market demand in Australia and how the local businesses respond.

This study is different from all the other blogs titled "how much for a website in Australia?" We're breaking down the market demand instead of the offer by agencies. In other words, we can see a spread between what the leading service providers’ offer and what the average business is prepared to pay for a web design build.

In between, there is a number of factors such as quality, support and commissions which make up the difference between how much Aussies are prepared to spend and how much the companies are asking for.

Budget

It appears that most businesses are looking to spend between $500 to $1,999, which makes up 51.9% of the total market demand within the last 28 months. We do note though that market conditions change and average, the offers can be different today.

Cheap offers under $500 for a basic web presence constitute 2395 out of 5932 from all of the offers (40.4%). I mean, it doesn’t hurt to bargain, right? Keep in mind there is a reliable old saying, “you get what you pay for.”

The second major and more appropriate segment offered between $500 to $1,999 which reflects a solid 36.9%. As a web developer, I can assure you that this is a lot more appropriate for a baseline. Even most young companies will not build a website for less than 500 Aussie bucks to get their name out there in Australia, and to the least, mess up your brand. In case you are shopping around, consider offering at least a grand for a site for your business. Make sure you check credentials.

Hands are getting hot and we’re moving over to more serious business which offer $4,000 to $5,999 range. Hey, that’s a new Gucci bag! This crowd contributes to 4.0% of the total demand.

With 237 people requesting a premium site ($4,000 - $5,999), we can assure you that these businesses make sense. We spoke to 19 out of the 237 and I can tell you that they appear to be legitimate. Such organisations tend to seek a decent e-commerce build, custom CMS or a hybrid catalogue type site.

40.4%

Under $500

36.9%

$500 - $1999

9.3%

$2000 - $3999

4.0%

$4000 - $5999

1.7%

$6000 - $9999

2.1%

$10000+

3.3%

Not sure

2.1%

Other

0.3%

Free

$10,000 or more:       124   2.1%

$6,000 - $9,999:        98   1.7%

$4,000 - $5,999:       237   4.0%

$2,000 - $3,999:       554   9.3%

$500 - $1,999:        2188  36.9%

$500 or less:         2395  40.4%

Free:                   18   0.3%

Not sure:              191   3.3%

Other:                 127   2.1%

Time frame

Most entrepreneurs, at 36.5%, requested their sites to be completed within a few weeks. Followed by the next immediate batch at 32%, to get their site up as soon as possible.

The next reasonable set of business sharks requested to go online within a month, making up 14.6% from the total. Equally, 14.6%, requested to discuss the matter with a professional.

Only 2.1% said they were flexible when it comes to project timeline.

I’m convinced that the businesses that request websites to be delivered within a few weeks tend to survive longer in their prospective market.

We’re comfortable to state that most businesses look to launch a website within about a month.

32.0%

ASAP

14.6%

Need to discuss

36.5%

Within a few weeks

4.0%

Within a month

2.1%

Flexible

Please see breakdown below:

ASAP:                 1901  32.0%

Need to discuss:       868  14.6%

Within a few weeks:   2168  36.5%

Within a month:        869  14.6%       

Flexible:              126   2.1% 

Industries

We would love to know where businesses come from but to our conclusion, only 10.96% from the 5932 leads specified which industries they specialise in.

Check out the significant business types below:

650/5932 = 10.96% Specified their industry

Business services:      90  13.8%

Construction:            7   1.1%

Creative industries:    71  10.9%

Disabilities:            4   0.6%

Education:              12   1.9%

Entertainment:          23   3.5%

Financial services:     15   2.3%

Health and fitness:     70  10.8%

Home services:          35   5.4%

Restaurant/food:        31   4.8%

Retail/consumer goods: 126  19.4%

Technology/software:    11   1.7%

Other:                 155  23.8%

Business type

With websites for business becoming increasingly important, we understand that there will be more small and entry level type businesses looking for web designers. Sole traders lead the way with 47.1% demand. Small businesses (1-9 employees) express 33.4% of the total.

Charity/non-profit:    192   3.2%

XL 100+ Employess:      34   0.6%

L  30 - 99 employees:   61   1.0%

M  10 - 29 employees:  226   3.8%

S   1 -  9 employess: 1979  33.4%

Sole trader/self:     2791  47.1%

Personal project:      574   9.7%

Other:                  75   1.3%

Website platform

We did not expect this many people to specify the platform they prefer or already built on. Usually, when we speak to new clients over the phone, the majority claim that they have a clue. This means that most web design leads are prepared to test their potential web developer.

1305/5932 = 22% Specified platform

Big Cartel:              4   0.3%

Big commerce:            6   0.5%

Custom built:           63   4.8%

Godaddy:                31   2.4%

Google:                  7   0.5%

Unsure:                231  17.7%

Open cart:               3   0.2%

Joomla:                  2   0.2%

Pixieset:                2   0.2%

Shopify:               153  11.7%

Squarespace:            83   6.4%

Webflow:                 4   0.3%

Weebly:                 22   1.7%

Wix:                   186  14.3%

Wordpress:             434  33.3%

Other:                  74   5.7%

Website purpose

In contrast to the businesses specifying their industry, size and platform, most managed to specify the purpose of their potential website! Over 78% of all requests provided their intention to either advertise their business, to sell online or had another reason to get a website. I think people will provide many simple answers.

4626/5932 = 78% Specified purpose of their site

To advertise bus.:    2742  59.3%

To sell online:       1669  36.1%

Other:                 215   4.6%

State preference

Majority of the market demand does not care where they get a quote from within Australia. Over 87% of requests ask for a quote from a national provider. We have found that proximity does matter that much when it comes to choosing a web services provider. Don’t get me wrong, locality does create a dent on sales.

ACT:                    20   0.3%

NSW:                   191   3.2%

NT:                      3   0.1%

QLD:                   163   2.8%

SA:                     32   0.5%

VIC:                   249   4.2%

WA:                     77   1.3%

TAS:                            

Nationwide:           5197  87.6%

We can conclude that most businesses and individuals do not really care about the location of the service provider. We can only speculate that they choose the service provider based on their price, reputation and sales pitch and tone. Systematic sales advantages go to service providers who can meet their clients in person. A firm handshake goes a long way.

Summary

Inbound marketing is expanding as one of the most preferred vehicles to drive sales. We hope that this study can be useful to web designers as well as clients looking to build a web presence or a web application.

Note: Percentages rounded to the second decimal for ease of demonstration.