“How much will my website cost?” is the first question almost every client asks, and the honest answer is: it depends on what the website needs to do. A one-page portfolio and a 500-product online store are both “websites”, but they are completely different projects.
This guide breaks down typical price ranges in US dollars, what drives the cost up or down, and the ongoing costs people often forget.
Typical website price ranges
These are typical ranges for professional work from a freelancer or small studio. Large agencies usually charge two to five times more for the same scope.
| Type of website | Typical price | Usually includes |
|---|---|---|
| Simple landing page | $100 to $400 | One page, contact form, mobile design |
| Small business site (up to 5 pages) | $150 to $1,000 | Custom design, basic SEO, contact form |
| Business website (8 to 15 pages) | $300 to $3,000 | Design in Figma, blog, speed work, analytics |
| Online store | $500 to $5,000+ | Products, payments, shipping, order emails |
| Custom features and integrations | $500 to $10,000+ | Booking systems, CRMs, member areas, APIs |
If a quote is far below these ranges, ask what’s missing. If it’s far above, ask what you’re paying for.
What makes a website cost more
Number of unique page designs
Ten pages that share two layouts cost much less than ten pages that are each designed from scratch. Ask your developer how many templates your site really needs.
Custom design vs a template
A pre-made theme is cheaper but looks like thousands of other sites and often carries code you don’t use. A custom design costs more up front but fits your brand and usually loads faster.
Content
Writing, product photos and product data entry take real time. If you hand over finished text and images, your project will be cheaper and faster.
Features
Online booking, payment gateways, multi-language, membership areas, CRM integrations and custom calculators each add development time. List the features you actually need on launch day, and keep a “phase two” list for the rest.
E-commerce complexity
A store with 20 simple products is very different from one with 2,000 products, variations, wholesale pricing and multiple shipping zones.
Ongoing costs to budget for
A website isn’t a one-time purchase. Plan for these yearly costs:
- Domain name: around $10 to $20 per year for a .com.
- Hosting: $50 to $300 per year for most small business sites on good shared or managed hosting.
- Premium plugins or apps: $0 to $300 per year, depending on what you use.
- Maintenance: updates, backups and security, either your own time or a care plan, typically $30 to $150 per month.
- E-commerce fees: payment gateway fees on every sale, plus platform fees if you use Shopify.
Tip: Ask for a quote that separates the one-time build cost from yearly running costs. It makes comparing developers much easier.
How to get the best value
- Start with your goal. “Get 20 enquiries a month” leads to a better website than “make it look modern”.
- Prioritise. Launch with the features that make money and add the rest later.
- Choose a platform you can manage. WordPress or Shopify let you update content yourself instead of paying for every small change.
- Ask about speed and SEO. A beautiful site that loads slowly or can’t be found on Google is expensive in lost customers.
- Get everything in writing. Pages, features, revision rounds, timeline and what happens after launch.
Cheap vs expensive: what you’re really paying for
The difference between a $200 site and a $2,000 site is rarely the homepage. It’s planning, mobile testing, speed optimization, SEO setup, security, and support when something goes wrong. Those are the things that decide whether your website actually brings in business.
If you’d like a clear number for your project, see my pricing page for starting prices, or send me a few details and I’ll give you a fixed quote.
Frequently asked questions
Why do two developers quote such different prices for the same website?
They’re usually quoting different things. One may include custom design, copywriting, SEO setup and a month of support; another may install a theme and swap your logo in. Ask each for a written list of pages, features and what happens after launch, then compare like for like.
Is a website builder cheaper than hiring a developer?
At first, yes. Builders like Wix or Squarespace cost a monthly fee and your time. Over three to five years the subscription can add up to more than a one-time professional build on WordPress, and you may still need help with design, speed and SEO.
Should I pay everything up front?
Rarely. A common structure is a deposit to start and the rest split across milestones such as design approval and launch. Platforms like Upwork hold funds in escrow, which protects both sides.
How much should I budget for a website redesign?
Similar to a new build of the same size, sometimes slightly less if your content and structure are already in good shape. If the existing site works but looks dated, a design refresh of key pages can be a cheaper first step.
Key takeaways
- Price depends on pages, features, content and how custom the design is.
- Always budget for yearly running costs, not only the build.
- Compare quotes on scope, not just the final number.
Related reading
- Before you hire a web developer: an 8-point checklist
- Gutenberg, Elementor or Divi 5: choosing the right WordPress editor
Want this done for you? FSquare Digital offers WordPress development for businesses in India and worldwide. Tell me about your project or message me on WhatsApp for a free quote.
