A website is often the initial impression a business gives to potential customers, making it a crucial factor in representing the brand. As an example of the significant costs associated with building a professional website, we can consider TechCrunch, a prominent tech news platform.
So, lately, I’ve came across this article by Jamie Marsland about how TechCrunch spent over 1 milion dollars rebuilding their website. Jamie has always been one of my favorite developers and a great source of inspiration, he even has a series on youtube entitled Rapid Website Recreations – where he rebuilds well-known website’s in record times. In the video about TechCrunch, Jamie rebuilded the website in about 30 minutes. The developers who build the TechCrunch website back in 2016 contacted Jamie and they had a really nice chat about budget of the project and the features that they implemented. You shoul definately read the original article and watch the video.
A top-notch website is essential for large businesses as it reinforces brand identity, attracts and retains users, and provides reliability and scalability in the digital realm, which is often the primary point of contact with customers.
TechCrunch is a renowned tech news website covering cutting-edge tech, startups, and emerging trends. Its commitment to delivering real-time tech updates and hosting tech events makes it a trusted source for tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and investors, solidifying its place in the industry.
Let’s examine the detailed breakdown of TechCrunch’s $1 million website project, as disclosed by Tom Willmott and Adrian McShane of Human Made.
When we talk about professional web development, design is where it all begins. A visually appealing and user-friendly website can be a game-changer for any business, especially one as high-traffic as TechCrunch. Here’s a closer look at the $300,000 spent on design:
TechCrunch’s budget allocated $300,000 for design work, which was the first significant line item. The purpose of this investment was to strike a perfect balance between visual appeal and performance. Designing for modern devices and diverse audiences is a complex task requiring artistic creativity and technical expertise.
Ensuring your website appears and functions seamlessly on various devices, from smartphones to desktops, is paramount in the digital landscape. Thanks to this design budget, TechCrunch created an experience optimized for modern devices, guaranteeing each visitor a consistent and enjoyable experience.
The next significant investment was $200,000 allocated for infrastructure, including robust backend servers and a Content Delivery Network (CDN) for high-traffic websites like TechCrunch.
Maintaining a stable and reliable network is imperative to manage the enormous influx of traffic from the millions of daily readers on TechCrunch. It requires a strong infrastructure that can handle the load and ensure smooth operations without any disruption.
To enhance user experience and prevent high bounce rates, it is imperative for websites to have fast load times. Slow load times can lead to user frustration and ultimately result in a decline in traffic. Therefore, TechCrunch has decided to invest a significant amount of $200,000 in infrastructure costs to optimize their website’s loading speed. This will ensure that even during traffic spikes, their website will continue to load quickly and efficiently, providing a seamless experience for their users.
TechCrunch invested a considerable amount of $500,000 in the website development and migration phase, ensuring that each step was executed with precision and attention to detail.
TechCrunch adopted a custom approach to editorial workflows instead of relying on off-the-shelf page builders. For approximately six months, the team of engineers at Human Made worked tirelessly to develop custom editorial workflows that accurately matched TechCrunch’s specific requirements. This strategy allowed for greater control and customization of the editorial process.
The development process included the use of Gutenberg and block editing. This approach allowed for more precise control over the layout and content presentation, ensuring a seamless reading experience for TechCrunch’s diverse audience.
The Agile and Iterative Development approach played a significant role in the project’s success. The team at TechCrunch received continuous input and feedback throughout the development process, enabling them to make necessary adjustments as the project progressed. As the goals evolved, the scope and budget increased accordingly.
The dynamic nature of large-scale web development is highlighted by TechCrunch’s flexible approach, which allowed for evolving project goals, emphasizing the importance of adapting to changing requirements for success.
Investing in professional web development is crucial to ensure a website that not only looks great but also performs exceptionally well. Big businesses understand that creating a flawless website requires significant investment, as demonstrated by TechCrunch’s $1 million website project.
When investing in a website, calculating the return on investment (ROI) is crucial. A website that performs well has the potential to attract a significant number of visitors, engage them effectively, and ultimately convert them into loyal customers or avid readers. By evaluating the costs and benefits of a high-performance site, you can make informed decisions that will benefit your business or brand in the long run.
Ensuring success through a website requires more than just creating one. Businesses must continuously innovate and maintain their online presence in order to stay ahead of competitors. This involves committing to the latest technology and user expectations, as well as regularly updating and improving the website. These ongoing efforts can ultimately lead to increased traffic, engagement, and revenue.
In conclusion, the case of TechCrunch’s $1 million website project highlights the significant costs involved in professional web development, especially for larger businesses. The investments in design, infrastructure, and development are essential for creating a website that not only looks good but also performs exceptionally.
Large businesses recognize that this investment is a strategic move to attract and retain customers, drive revenue, and maintain a strong online presence. The dynamic nature of web development, where project goals evolve, underlines the importance of adaptability and collaboration.
I personally believe that a business the size of TechCrunch, that generates big number online, always needs to get the best results for its website and its users. I think the developers did a great job, and that choosing a reliable and professional web agency is always the best thing a business could do to increase it’s visibility online.
The key takeaway here is that the price of a professional website is justified when considering the long-term benefits and competitive advantage it provides in the digital world.
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