How Much Does Website Copywriting cost?
Are you thinking about hiring a copywriter for your website and wondering how much it costs? Well, look no further than this guide, where we’ll break down how much you should expect to pay for professional website copy, the common ways copywriters charge for their work, and some examples of website copywriters’ rates.
Keep reading!
Different ways website copywriters charge for their services
There are typically four different ways that a copywriter charges for their services. Let’s explore them.
Per project
Most professional website copywriters charge per project. And the cost of a project can vary based on several factors. The scope of work, the complexity of the content, and the writer's experience all play a role in determining the final price.
This can be beneficial for both clients and writers. For clients, it gives a clear understanding of the total cost upfront, without having to worry about fluctuating expenses as the project moves forward (wouldn’t we all love this for home construction projects?) For writers, it allows them to focus on delivering quality content without keeping an eye on the word count or hours worked.
We’ve scoured the Internet to find the different rates professional website copywriters are charging these days. Here are 8 examples:
Example 1: $2,500 for 3 pages
Example 2: $8,500 for 5 pages
Example 3: $4,500 for 3 pages
Example 4: $6,900 for 7 pages
Example 5: $4,999 for 5 pages
Example 6: $9,750 for 4 pages
Example 7: $6,500 for 5 pages
Example 8: $3,800 for 5 pages
Per word
Another common pricing model is charging per word. This is especially common on freelancing platforms like Fiverr.
Per-word rates can vary widely, depending on the copywriter’s experience, expertise, and the complexity of the project. A seasoned writer with a portfolio full of high-converting web pages will obviously charge more than a newbie. And rates typically range from a few cents to several dollars per word.
This works well if you have a clear idea of the amount of content you need. However, it can be less predictable.
By results
Some copywriters charge based on the results their copy generates. This pricing model is often used for direct response copywriting, such as sales pages, email campaigns, and ad copy. Instead of a flat fee, the writer earns a percentage of sales, leads, or conversions generated by their work.
This isn't a very common pricing model for website copywriting (but we thought we'd put this here since it is how some copywriters charge).
Per hour
Charging per hour is another popular pricing model for website copywriting. In this model, you pay for the actual time the copywriter spends working on your project. It’s similar to how you might pay for a lawyer or consultant—based on the hours they dedicate to your case or project.
This offers flexibility for both the writer and client, especially if your project’s scope is not fully defined or might change over time.
Hourly rates can vary widely among copywriters, depending on their level of experience, expertise, and the type of content required. A seasoned copywriter may charge a couple of hundred dollars an hour, while less experienced writers will have lower rates.
The main factors that influence a website copywriter’s rates
There are many different influences that affect a website copywriter’s rates. Here are the main ones.
Industry knowledge
Writers with expertise in your specific field understand the nuances, jargon, and audience expectations. This expertise allows them to create content that resonates deeply with your target market, saving you time on explanations and revisions.
While this can definitely be worth the investment, especially in certain niches, expect to pay more for a copywriter who specializes in specific niches.
Experience
When it comes to hiring a website copywriter, experience is one of the key things that influences their rates.
Experienced copywriters have honed their skills by working on a variety of projects, learning what works and what doesn’t, and developing the ability to create copy that resonates with audiences. This level of expertise allows them to produce high-quality copy more efficiently.
Because of this, they not only charge more, but their copy is likely WORTH more than that of a new copywriter.
The size/complexity of the project
Bigger and more complicated projects naturally require more time, effort, and skill, which is reflected in the cost.
For example, website copy like homepages, service pages, and about pages are typically more complex than blog posts. They require more research and strategy, and they also require that a copywriter dive deeper into the details of your business like your offers, your experience, and the desires and pain points of your target audience.
Because of this, a homepage will likely cost significantly more than a blog post, even though the word count may be similar.
Demand
If a copywriter is in high demand with a packed schedule, they’re likely to charge more. That's supply and demand for you, babe! Their limited availability means they can afford to be selective with projects, often choosing those that pay higher rates. On the other hand, if a copywriter has more open slots and is actively seeking work, their rates might be lower.
You might also like: What to include in your website’s homepage
What do you get from your investment?
For most website copywriters who charge by project, they offer at least the following:
The website copy
Zoom calls (a kick-off call and (sometimes) a project review call)
Keyword research
SEO optimization
1 to 2 rounds of revisions
Some copywriters will also include things like brand strategy and client interviews but expect to pay more for those extras.
Why should you even pay for website copy?
Listen, we get that it can be tough to imagine spending four figures for website copy.
But here’s the thing — great website copy can:
Drive more traffic to your website and increase brand awareness
Give your readers important info about your business
Increase your website’s conversions (therefore making you more money)
The reality is that copywriting is an investment, that is, the whole purpose is to make your business MORE money in the long run.
For example, let’s just say you’re a photographer who charges $5,000 for each project. If you hire a copywriter to write your website copy for $4,000 and they use their skill and experience to boost your website conversions and get you just ONE more client, you make back your investment.
Great copy makes you money. It’s as simple as that.
Not all website copy is the same
OK, so maybe you’re seeing the value in investing in a website copy to help you show off your offers and increase your website conversions.
But why not pay someone on Fiverr 100 bucks a page or use ChatGPT to write your website for you?
Well, the reality is that website copy is NOT EASY to write. There's a tremendous amount of research, planning, and ideation involved in understanding your target audience, finding SEO keywords, presenting your offers in the right way, and getting your audience to take action. In fact, most copywriters will say that 70-80% of their time goes into research.
So ChatGPT (which just regurgitates what else is out there with no true understanding of the psychology of copywriting) is definitely not the way to go.
As for freelancing sites like Fiverr, you MIGHT be able to find a talented copywriter who charges cheap rates to build up their profiles as fast as possible, but the reality is that if they really are talented copywriters, their rates will quickly go up to the ones independent copywriters charge.
And in all honesty, you get what you pay for.
Want to learn more?
We get that money is usually not an easy thing to talk about, but it’s important to understand what goes into the cost of website copywriting so you understand what you’re paying for and what you get out of it! Hopefully, this guide did just that for you. And if you want to learn more from us, check out some of our favorite posts on our blog!
