Understanding the Real Costs of Website Design in Malaysia

There's a widespread belief in Malaysia that creating a website must necessarily be expensive, a misconception that pushes many local businesses towards more affordable, yet often lower-quality, web design services. This choice frequently leads to disappointment when these businesses find that their economical websites do not perform as well as those of their competitors who have invested more substantially in their digital presence.

What should you realistically expect to pay for a quality website in Malaysia? This article will examine the various factors that contribute to website design costs and highlight the differences between budget web solutions and high-end custom websites.

Key Cost Components of Website Design in Malaysia

Domain Names: The Foundation of Your Website

A domain name is not just the address of your website but also a crucial aspect of your brand's online identity. For instance, notable domain names like facebook.com or google.com instantly resonate with users as the face of major global brands. In Malaysia, securing a domain name is an essential cost of building a website, with prices ranging based on the domain's extension and availability.

The cost for domain registration in Malaysia generally falls between RM60 and RM120 annually. It's important to note that this range can vary if the desired domain name is already owned by someone else. As per Exabytes, a leading web services provider, the pricing for a .com domain typically starts around RM60, while a .com.my domain may cost about RM80, and a .my domain might reach up to RM120.

.com	RM60 per year
.com.my	RM80 per year
.my	RM120 per year

Website Hosting

Website hosting is an essential service that allows you to publish your website files on the internet, making your site accessible globally.

The quality of your hosting service is a critical factor affecting website speed and reliability. In Malaysia, businesses can choose from several hosting options depending on their needs:

• Shared Hosting: This is the most cost-effective option where your website shares a server with other websites. It's usually sufficient for small to medium-sized websites with moderate traffic.
• Dedicated Hosting: Dedicated hosting provides a server solely for your website, offering enhanced performance and security. This option is ideal for large websites with high traffic volumes, such as popular e-commerce platforms.
• Cloud Hosting: Offering scalability and reliability, cloud hosting allows your website to utilize resources from multiple servers in the cloud. This is suitable for businesses expecting variable traffic or those looking to grow significantly.

In terms of pricing, website hosting in Malaysia varies widely based on the hosting type and service level required. Prices can range from as low as RM200 per year for basic shared hosting to RM2,900 per year for advanced dedicated or cloud hosting solutions.

low spec	RM200 per year
advanced	RM2,900 per year

Exabytes, a prominent hosting provider in Malaysia, offers three different WordPress hosting packages. These packages start at RM200 per year for basic sites and extend beyond RM2,900 for high-demand websites, providing flexibility based on the specific requirements of your website:

• Basic Hosting: Starting at RM200 per year, suitable for new or small websites with low traffic.
• Advanced Hosting: Designed for medium-sized businesses or blogs with moderate traffic.
• Premium Hosting: For large e-commerce sites or those with heavy traffic, requiring robust hosting capabilities to handle numerous transactions and high visitor volumes efficiently.

Choosing the right hosting package involves considering several factors, such as the anticipated speed requirements, the overall size of your website and its files, and the expected volume of monthly traffic. For startups, a basic RM200 package often suffices, while large, transaction-heavy e-commerce sites might need the enhanced capabilities of a dedicated server.

Web Pages

The number of pages your website contains is a crucial factor influencing the overall cost of web design in Malaysia. A larger website with more pages can better target multiple keywords, which is essential for achieving good SEO performance and attracting more traffic.

In Malaysia, the cost to design a single web page can range from RM200 to over RM800. However, the quality and complexity of the design significantly affect the final price. On average, businesses might expect to spend about RM300 to RM1,000 per page. Consequently, for a standard 12-page website, the total cost is likely to be between RM3,600 and RM12,000.

lowest	RM200 per page
highest	RM800+ per page

For those aiming to create a distinctive and creatively rich website, the investment will likely be at the higher end of this range. Conversely, a more straightforward and clean design will cost around RM400 per page, catering to businesses seeking cost-effective solutions without compromising on aesthetics and functionality.

An average website may include a variety of pages, each serving a distinct purpose in terms of business offerings and customer engagement:

• Home / Landing Page
• About / Company Profile
• Services / Products
• Service Pages
• Product Pages
• Blog / News
• Article Page
• Pricing / Plans
• Store
• Cart
• Checkout
• Contact Us
• 404 Error Page

ECommerce Website Price Malaysia

Launching an e-commerce platform in Malaysia involves more than just website design; it also requires the integration of a payment gateway to handle transactions. This section provides an overview of the costs associated with setting up an e-commerce website in Malaysia.

While some e-commerce platforms like WooCommerce are available for free, the costs for professional setup by web designers need to be considered. WooCommerce is highly favored for its flexibility and scalability, making it an excellent choice for businesses looking to sell products online in Malaysia.

The starting price for designing an e-commerce website in Malaysia is typically around RM4,000. This base cost can increase depending on the complexity of the website, the number of products, and additional features such as custom integrations and advanced security measures.

Moreover, to handle online transactions, an e-commerce website must be integrated with a payment gateway. Payment gateways facilitate the processing of payments and are essential for the secure transfer of customer payment information. Popular payment gateways in Malaysia include iPay88, which offers services starting from RM300+ per year. The choice of payment gateway can affect both the functionality and the operational costs of an e-commerce website.

Copywriting Services

While web designers focus primarily on the aesthetic and functional aspects of your website, the textual content that fills the pages is equally critical for engaging visitors and enhancing SEO. Therefore, you might find yourself in need of professional copywriting services to articulate your brand's message effectively.

Web design package	RM400 to rm700+
Professional	RM0.30 to rm1 per word

But how much should you budget for copywriting when building a website in Malaysia? Typically, the cost of integrating professional copywriting into your website design package ranges from RM400 to RM700. This fee can vary based on the complexity and specificity of the content required.

If you choose to employ an external copywriter, the cost in Malaysia averages between RM0.30 to RM0.50 per word. Given that a standard web page might contain around 400 words, the total cost for copywriting services across a typical 12-page website can range from RM1,440 to RM2,400.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

SEO is a blend of technical, creative, and analytical efforts, aiming to improve your website's visibility and ranking. It involves not only on-page optimizations such as content enhancement and keyword integration but also off-page strategies like building backlinks and improving social signals. Given the fierce competition on search engine results pages, maintaining a strong SEO strategy requires continuous effort and expertise. You may have heard the saying, "The best place to hide a body is on the second page of Google." This jest highlights a critical truth in the digital marketing world: visibility on the first page of Google is crucial. Statistically, 76% of all clicks on Google go to the top 5 search results, underscoring the importance of effective SEO.

To drive traffic to your website and achieve higher rankings on Google, implementing robust Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategies is essential. SEO involves optimizing your website to make it more attractive to search engines for certain keywords related to your services or products.

For instance, if someone is looking for a nearby restaurant, they might search "Chinese restaurants near me." Similarly, a small business in need of a budget-friendly website solution might search for "affordable web design for small businesses." To ensure your services appear in these searches, targeted SEO tactics must be employed.

Monthly Package

rm700 to rm900+ per month

In Malaysia, the cost of integrating SEO into your website design varies widely, generally ranging from RM1,000 to RM10,000 per month. This pricing depends on several factors, including the competitiveness of your target keywords, the current SEO health of your website, and the breadth of SEO services provided.

Content Creation

When creating content for your website, visuals play a crucial role in engaging your audience and conveying your brand message effectively. If you don't have images readily available, there are several options you can explore:

• Stock Images: Stock images are a convenient resource for finding high-quality visuals for your website. They can be obtained for free through a Creative Commons License or purchased for a fee, typically ranging from RM0 to RM30+ per image in Malaysia. Many web design agencies include a certain number of stock images in their website design packages.
• Photographer: For product-centric businesses or services requiring personalized imagery, hiring a professional photographer is essential. A skilled photographer can capture the essence of your offerings and create captivating visuals that resonate with your target audience. Additionally, they can edit the images to ensure they align with your brand identity and website design.
• Graphic Designer: In some cases, you may opt for custom illustrations or graphics to enhance your website's visual appeal. Graphic designers specialize in creating unique icons, images, and illustrations tailored to your brand's style and messaging. These custom visuals can elevate the overall aesthetic of your website and make it stand out from the competition.

Whether you choose stock images, professional photography, or custom graphics, investing in high-quality visuals is crucial for creating a visually appealing and engaging website. By selecting the right imagery that aligns with your brand identity and resonates with your target audience, you can effectively communicate your message and enhance the user experience on your website.

Custom Functionality

When planning your website's functionality, it's essential to consider the specific features and capabilities you require to meet your business objectives and enhance user engagement. While basic web design packages typically include standard functions such as contact forms and embedded Google Maps, you may need more advanced features to differentiate your website and provide a seamless user experience.

The complexity and sophistication of the functionality you require will influence the overall cost of website design in Malaysia. Here are some examples of custom functionality that you may consider integrating into your website:

shipment tracking, livechat, etc...

rm8,000 to rm100,000

• Live Chat: Enhance customer support and engagement by incorporating a live chat feature that allows visitors to communicate with your team in real-time.
• Social Media Capability: Integrate social media sharing buttons and feeds to encourage social interaction and amplify your content's reach across various platforms.
• Forums: Create an online community by adding discussion forums where users can exchange ideas, ask questions, and interact with like-minded individuals.
• Shipment Tracking: Provide customers with real-time tracking information for their orders to enhance transparency and improve the overall shopping experience.
• Web Apps: Develop custom web applications tailored to your business needs, such as calculators, appointment booking systems, or project management tools.
• Comparison Platforms: Enable users to compare products or services side-by-side to facilitate informed purchasing decisions and drive conversions.

While incorporating custom functionality into your website can add value and functionality, it's essential to weigh the benefits against the associated costs. Depending on the complexity and scope of the features you require, the total cost for a website with custom functionality in Malaysia can vary significantly, ranging from RM8,000 to RM100,000 or more.

Cost to Maintain the Website

Ensuring the ongoing functionality, security, and performance of your website is crucial for maintaining a positive user experience and maximizing your online presence. To achieve this, regular website maintenance is essential to address issues, implement updates, and optimize performance.

Website maintenance encompasses various tasks, including:

• Security Updates: Regularly updating your website's security measures, such as installing security patches and SSL certificates, to protect against cyber threats and vulnerabilities.
• Plugin and Theme Updates: Keeping plugins and themes up to date to ensure compatibility with the latest web standards, enhance functionality, and address any security vulnerabilities.
• Performance Optimization: Monitoring website performance metrics, such as page load speed and responsiveness, and implementing optimizations to improve user experience and search engine rankings.
• Content Management: Adding new content, updating existing content, and optimizing website content for SEO to attract and engage visitors and maintain relevance.
• Backup and Recovery: Implementing regular backups of website data and files to mitigate the risk of data loss due to technical issues or security breaches and facilitating quick recovery in case of emergencies.

The cost of maintaining a website in Malaysia can vary depending on the level of maintenance required and the complexity of your website. For basic maintenance tasks such as security updates and plugin management, you may opt to handle them yourself or hire a freelance webmaster.

However, for more comprehensive website management services, including regular monitoring, performance optimization, and content management, you may need to engage the services of a professional web development agency or hire a dedicated webmaster.

The average website design Malaysia price with maintenance typically ranges from RM100 to RM5000 (a programmer's salary) or more per month, depending on the scope of services provided and the expertise of the service provider. Investing in regular website maintenance is essential for ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of your online presence.

MADX RADICLE's offer price always transparent to end customer, so welcome to contact us now for requirement discussion.