Understand what website programming requires and the budget to plan
Before launching a website, know what to plan: hosting, programming, CMS, visual content, SEO, and long-term maintenance. Download Chapter 1 of the W+M white paper for free.
Hello,
When buying a vehicle, we define basic requirements and personal preferences. But obviously, we don’t want to end up with something that simply doesn’t work. Behind every reliable car lies hours of work, compliance with technical standards, sales conditions, and legal requirements.
It’s the same thing when building a website: for it to function properly, it must meet technical norms, legal obligations, and performance expectations.
In this chapter, you’ll discover:
What to plan before launching a website
(hosting, domain, programming, content, SEO…)How to choose the right technology based on your skills and goals
(builder platforms, CMS, or custom development)Why a well-planned website costs less over time
(and prevents expensive surprises or rebuilds later)
This article is the Chapter 1 of the first White Paper Book from W+M: Preparing Your First Business Website | White Paper for Entrepreneurs in Quebec. Read the entire publication here. You can also download the PDF of the Chapter 1 here. Enjoy!
MusicScore: The writer was listening to old school House Music while producing this paper. Here is a great example: Inner City with Good Life!
Download this Chapter in PDF for free
Understanding website programming
Here are the main elements to consider when building a professional website, all of which directly affect your overall project budget:
Type of site, hosting, and domain name
Configuration of administrative settings and company information
Creation of visuals, videos, and media files, along with their costs
Writing of texts, tags, descriptions, and SEO content
Website development, layout, and testing
Website launch and first promotional actions
Search engine indexing and page optimization
Ongoing management: updates, security, customer service, legal compliance
Website programming may seem complicated, especially if you’re not a developer or tech expert. But understanding the basics of what a website requires is essential to the success of your web project. A website isn’t just about design — it’s built on technical decisions that impact performance, security, user experience, and even SEO.
A – Choosing the right technology
There are many platforms and technologies available for building a website. Your choice depends on your specific needs.
For example:
Website builders (like Squarespace, Wix, WordPress.com): These all-in-one platforms are ideal for entrepreneurs looking for a quick, simple, and effective solution. They offer templates and user-friendly content management systems.
Custom development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript): If you have specific needs or want a fully customized website, custom development using coding languages is more appropriate — though it requires technical expertise.
Content Management Systems (CMS): If you’ll be updating content frequently, platforms like WordPress.org or Joomla are excellent options. They allow easy content management without touching code.
The right choice depends on your goals, your budget, and your available human resources.
B – Estimating base annual costs
Creating a website involves not only an initial investment but also ongoing costs to maintain and update it. These costs vary based on several factors:
Hosting costs: If you use a CMS or custom hosting, expect to pay monthly fees ranging from a few dollars to several hundred, depending on performance and support.
Domain name: Essential for a professional web presence. Prices vary depending on popularity and extension (.com, .org, .ca, etc.).
Development costs: Hiring a developer or agency for a custom site is more expensive than using a prebuilt template. Costs may range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on complexity.
Don’t forget to factor in indirect costs like time spent on maintenance, adding content, and interacting with users or customers.
C – Additional features
If you plan to add features like an online store, blog, contact form, or booking system, these will also affect your website’s cost and complexity.
Some platforms include these features, while others require third-party plugins or add-ons — sometimes at an extra cost. Also note that some platforms restrict access to advanced features unless you upgrade to more expensive plans. Be sure to compare.
In summary
Understanding the basics of website programming helps you make better choices from the start. Whether you choose a turnkey solution or a custom build, the goal is to create a website that is functional, secure, scalable, and tailored to your needs.
Estimating ongoing site management
Designing your website is only step one. Keeping it online, visible, and high-performing requires continuous attention — SEO, updates, stats analysis, newsletters, and promotional campaigns all play a role.
Before investing in a full website, it might be smart to start with a professional page on social media. It helps you test your offer, validate interest, and better define your needs.
Keep in mind: a website generates recurring costs every year. It’s not a static photo gallery. If you don’t actively use it, it may become just an expensive placeholder.
Update frequency
Your brand identity deserves some consistency. Changing things too often can confuse visitors and hurt your credibility.
Instead, introduce changes gradually and use the opportunity to communicate with your audience — it might even become a promotional campaign.
A well-structured website only takes a few minutes a day to maintain. But those small actions go a long way in boosting your visibility in search engines.
Content review
Your website is often the first impression you give to the public. It needs to be functional, clear, up-to-date — and above all, credible. One wrong piece of information can cost you a sale — or worse, your reputation. And once something is online, it can be captured, shared, or archived. Better safe than sorry.
Testing before publishing
Before launching or making big updates, always test your site on multiple devices (computer, tablet, phone). What looks good on one screen might break on another.
Put yourself in your visitors’ shoes: Can they find what matters easily? Is the path to your services or products smooth? Make sure your terms, policies, FAQ, and other key info are already in place.
Search engine optimization (SEO)
SEO is all about clear structure, relevant titles, well-written descriptions, and smart internal links.
This strategy takes time — but it’s one of the most sustainable investments you can make to grow your online visibility.
Conclusion : Choosing a solution that fits your means
Many people ask: which platform or site type is best? The answer depends on your real business needs — your budget, your business model, and even some internal info you won’t share publicly.
Let your vision guide your decisions. A low-cost solution that doesn’t suit your needs may slow your progress.
Yes, anything is possible with web development — but every option has a price. The best choice is the one that supports your growth without getting in your way.
Thank you for reading.
Jeff Maheux
Cr images: Production Services W+M.
Preparing Your First Business Website | White Paper for Entrepreneurs in Quebec
The mission of putting online a business website in Quebec. The W+M white paper will help you to expand your project with the digital marketing tools.
Websites - creation, management and design
I edit the content of existing sites via CMS in addition to creating sites with WordPress and Squarespace. I have been producing website content as a webmaster since 1998.
I help companies get their first website up and I improve the performance of existing sites.
Yes, I’m Mr. Analytics and my reaction time to new digital marketing is daily, which allows my clients to have optional and trend-cutting tools.
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