…Continuation From Understanding Of Website Design Prices

So now we have spoken about how much a website costs in South Africa now have got a good idea about prices and who to work with, whether it’s a freelancer or a web design agency, but now let’s talk about something that is important most people don’t think about: the hidden costs that can pop up after your website is live.
Sometimes a cheap website design could end up costing you more in the long run if you do not know what to ask from the beginning, you may feel robbed at the end. Let’s break down the common extra costs that you may face after your website is live:

1. Website Hosting and Domain Renewal:

Most websites need hosting (where your site lives online) and a domain (like www.yourcompany.co.za) but any designers or agencies might tell you, “hosting is free for the first year.” , that sounds great until it’s time to renew 1 year later.

Here is the thing: renewal costs are often not included in the design price and when that year is over, you might be shocked to find that renewal fees can cost almost half the price of your original website.

Always ask upfront:

• How much will hosting cost per year after the first year?
• What is the domain renewal cost?
•  Who owns the domain, you or the designer?

2. Monthly Website Maintenance

Some websites need regular updates, backups, plugin updates, or fixing broken links. This is called website maintenance.

Now, this part is tricky whether you will do the maintenance yourself OR will your designer charge you a monthly fee? The decision is up to you and the flexibility of your budget.

Some businesses offer maintenance plans, while others expect you to manage it. Either way, get clarity from the beginning. Don’t wait until something breaks to find out what it costs to fix.

3. Website Security and SSL Certificates

If you’re building a website especially an e-commerce site you will want it to be secure.
That is where SSL (Secure Socket Layer) comes in, I am sure you know that little lock icon next to a website URL? That shows that the website is secure and protects your information. Some hosts offer free SSL, but many times you will have to buy one, especially if your store is growing. Without SSL, customers might see a “Not Secure” warning when they visit your site, which intern makes visitors suspicious to make purchase on your website.

Benefits of SSL Certicates

:
• Protects visitor’s data
• Builds trust
• Helps with Google rankings
• Essential for online payments


Cost of SSL Certificates: It can range from R300 to over R1,000 a year, depending on the level of security.

4. Paid Plugins, Tools, and Licenses

Your website might look stunning but that is often thanks to premium plugins like Elementor Pro, WPForms, or SEO tools.

Let us say your developer used Elementor Pro to design your site they may cover the cost for the first year. But when that license expires you will need to renew it yourself to keep using all the premium features.
Elementor Pro costs around R1,500 a year. And that’s just one plugin.
Now imagine your site also uses:
• Backup plugins
• Security tools
• eCommerce features (like product filters or wishlist plugins)

Each of these might come with its own yearly renewal cost.

Cheap Isn’t Always Cheap in the Long Run

Too many South African entrepreneurs have fallen for the “cheap website” trap  that they see on Facebook Adverts: “Professional Website Only R499!” You think, What a deal! So, you sign up. But then:
• You find out the domain name isn’t included.
• You’re told hosting is only free for 3 months.
• Your site isn’t mobile-friendly.
• It breaks after a plugin update.
• You don’t rank on Google.
• And to fix all of that? That’s going to cost you more.


In the end, what was “cheap” becomes expensive, not just in rands but in time, frustration, and lost customers.
Still not sure? Start small, scale later.

By the way, Read the Fine Print
One of the biggest lessons from this guide is this: Ask questions. Don not just get excited by the price. Understand what you are paying for and what you’re not.
Before paying any deposit, ask your web designer:
• Who owns the domain?
• Is hosting included, and for how long?
• What happens after 12 months?
• Will you show me how to update content myself?
• What if I want to move my site later?
• Are there any paid plugins used on my site?
• Will I need to renew any licenses?

A good designer whether freelancer or agency will gladly and easily answer all these questions. If they avoid them, run!
Don’t Forget the Extras (They Matter More Than You Think)

Let’s quickly recap the real costs most clients overlook:
• Domain registration & renewal (R60–R220/year)
• Hosting (R30–R300/month)
• Maintenance plans (R200–R1,000/month)
• SSL certificates (R300–R1,500/year)
• Premium plugins (R500–R7,000+/year)
• SEO (R500–R3,000/month or one-time)


That R1500 website might not include these. In fact some South African designers purposely leave them out to keep their quote low but that doesn’t help you. You need a website that works, lasts, and grows with your business and does not cost you an arm and a leg to maintain.

At Lamus Design, we ensure that everything is a transparent as possible. No hidden fees, just high quality services.