Cost and the Life of a Website

When starting a new Web site project, we're often asked to provide cost estimates for the work based on two approaches – to program the site as standard HTML code, and to create the site within a content management system (CMS). Standard HTML coding will always be cheaper than CMS to initially launch a Web site, because CMS requires a greater amount of upfront work.  Depending on the functionality needed in CMS, the cost difference between the two approaches can be significant – even thousands of dollars more. 

For the more budget-minded clients, programming a Web site in standard HTML is starting to look pretty appealing right about now, but to choose the least expensive route solely for the bottom-line is not really taking in the "big picture." As mentioned, standard HTML will always be cheaper to launch, but what about the days, weeks and years after it's launched? How do the two approaches compare when you look at the life of your Web site?

Growth, Updates and Edits

Standard HTML: It is not difficult to update a standard HTML site, but it does require specialized skills in HTML, javascript, css, and image creation (as well as the programs that make all that possible). This work can be time-consuming since edits are made by manually altering the code within the physical files of the site every time updates are needed.

There are more significant maintenance costs with a standard HTML Web site because these small, time-consuming changes need to be made by a trained professional – at an agency, a freelancer, or by a paid employee with the right skill-sets at your company. Take into consideration how often your site will require updates before jumping to a standard HTML site.

CMS: With a CMS Web site, you have a direct and active role in the shape of your company's Web presence. Once the setup of your CMS is complete, anyone (with permission) can log in and effectively add or update content on the site within an environment that is as easy to use as Microsoft Word. For the most part, working within a CMS site is very intuitive; however, there are some aspects that may require minor training. 

With CMS, you have a Web site that grows with you and can be edited by people without specialized training. All your content is stored in a database, so your changes are live instantly (or can be delayed until approved if needed). If your site will require updates to news articles, events or will need to publish new content on a regular basis, a CMS site will prove a smarter route in the long run.

And when it's time has come...

It's a simple fact that at some point, this once new and shiny Web site will need to visit the big server in the sky (a sad and joyous moment for every Web developer).  Any number of reasons could have you planning to pull the plug – the "look and feel" may seem dated after years of service; your company's identity may change; or your product or message may no longer match the voice of the Web site. But what does that mean in the scenario: standard HTML vs. CMS?

Standard HTML: You must now start all over again and incur the cost of a total re-programming.

CMS: Simply change the "theme" of your site and keep on rolling. The cost to re-theme a site can be as low as half the cost to build the same Web site as a standard HTML site (depending on options, of course). No additional training is needed on your part, because it's a system you're already familiar with. All of your content is still there, so there are no duplicated efforts in building the new site.

Your Web site will be with you for many years. The decisions you make at the beginning of the project will affect your pocket book throughout your Web site’s existence (and rebirth). When you look at the entire life of a Web site you get more for the money using a Content Management System.