If you're getting a new website, you're probably wondering what it will actually cost. The short answer: a DIY website builder runs $15 to $50 per month, a freelancer typically charges $2,000 to $10,000, and an agency $5,000 to $25,000 as a one-time price.
In this article, we go through what determines the price, what different types of websites cost, and which costs many people forget to include in their budget. You'll also get a checklist you can use before requesting a quote.
In short
A simple website typically costs $1,000 to $5,000, a business website $5,000 to $25,000, and an online store from around $10,000. Prefer a monthly model?
Web design as a service costs $499 per month with no setup cost, or you can pay a one-time price from $7,999. The total is determined by scope, design, content, features, and who builds the site.
What Determines the Price of Web Design?
The price of a website is determined by five factors: scope, design, content, features, and who builds it. These five influence each other, and it's the sum that gives the final price, not a single factor.
Scope and number of pages: A landing page with one message costs far less than a website with ten subpages, product pages, and multiple languages. More pages mean more structure, more text, and more testing.
Template or custom design: A template-based design is cheaper because the groundwork is already done. A custom design built around your business takes more time, but often gives better results for both brand and conversion.
Content and text: This is often the most expensive part people forget to budget for. Some think the text will fall into place on its own, but good website copy requires research, writing, and editing.
Features and integrations: Booking, payment, member login, and CRM connections require more development time than a pure information page. Each integration adds both build time and testing time.
Who builds it: A freelancer, a small agency, and a larger agency have different hourly rates, different capacity, and different experience. This affects both price and how safely the project is delivered.
What Do Different Types of Websites Cost?
The price varies greatly with the type of website. A simple homepage costs from around $1,000, while an online store often starts around $10,000.
| Type | Typical price range | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Simple website | $1,000-$5,000 | Sole proprietorships, portfolios, a single landing page |
| Business website | $5,000-$25,000 | Businesses with multiple services and a need for SEO |
| Online store | From $10,000 | Selling goods or services online |
| Portal or custom solution | $30,000 and up | Customer portals, booking systems, advanced integrations |
The ranges in the table are typical figures for the US market, not a guarantee of what you will end up paying.
Three Paths to a New Website
You can build the website yourself, hire a freelancer, or use an agency. The choice determines both price, quality, and how much of your own time you'll need to spend.
Building the Website Yourself
With builder tools like Wix or Squarespace, you pay $15 to $50 per month in tool costs. The rest you pay with your own time for design, text, and setup.
This is a sensible choice if you have plenty of time, enjoy learning new tools, and your business doesn't depend on the website converting optimally from day one.
Using a Freelancer
A freelancer typically falls somewhere between $2,000 and $10,000 for a business website, depending on scope and experience. The advantage is lower price and often shorter delivery time.
The risk is that you depend on a single person. If that person becomes ill, gets busy with other projects, or stops taking assignments, you could be left without support when you need changes.
What Does a New Website from an Agency Cost?
An agency typically delivers a business website for $5,000 to $25,000 as a one-time price. This should include design, development, technical SEO, and training.
The most important point here is total ownership cost. A cheap website with expensive hourly rates for changes can end up costing more over three years than a good solution with a low hourly rate from the start.
Also watch out for the estimate-versus-fixed-price trap. Always ask for a binding price, not an estimate that can be adjusted upward during the project.
Monthly Price or One-Time Price?
Both models exist in the market, and the choice essentially comes down to liquidity and ownership. A one-time price gives you full ownership immediately, while a monthly price spreads the cost over time.
A one-time price means you pay everything upon delivery and own the site fully from day one. You avoid recurring invoices, but need capital available when the project starts.
A monthly price means you pay a fixed amount each month, and operation and updates are often included in the amount. This gives a lower starting cost, but you commit to a contract period.
With us, web design as a service is priced at $499 per month, with no setup cost. Hosting, security, and ongoing optimization are included, and you get full ownership of the website after 18 months. Alternatively, you can choose a one-time price from $7,999.
Note that ongoing SEO work often comes as a separate cost at other agencies, even when the website itself is a one-time delivery. See web design as a service and the full pricing overview for details.
How Much Does a Website Redesign Cost?
A website redesign typically costs $3,000 to $15,000, less than an entirely new website, because structure and content can be reused. With a complete overhaul of design and features, the redesign cost can reach the price of a new site.
Signs that it's time for a redesign include a low conversion rate, poor mobile display, outdated design, or a website that loads slowly. Google also measures user experience directly, and an old site can be penalized in search results.
Read more about how to proceed in the article on planning a new web design.
The Costs Many People Forget
The price you see in a quote is rarely the whole story. Operation, hosting, content, and certain "free" solutions often add real costs over time.
Operation and maintenance: Security updates, backup, and monitoring require ongoing work. Our Service Level Agreement (SLA) starts at $112.50 per month and covers this recurring need.
Hosting and domain: Even a simple website needs somewhere to live and a domain name. This comes as a fixed, smaller cost every month or year, regardless of who builds the site.
Content production and photography: Good images and text may require a photographer, a copywriter, or both. This is often forgotten in the budget, but it's what makes the site appear credible.
"Free website" traps: Many free solutions lock you into a specific platform, and some charge surprisingly high hidden costs later. Always read the fine print before choosing a free solution.
Checklist Before You Request a Quote
A good quote should answer questions about price, scope, and what happens after launch. Check the following before you sign anything.
- What's included: design, text, images, technical SEO, and training should be specified.
- What's the hourly rate for changes? This determines what the site will actually cost you over time.
- Is the price binding? Ask for a fixed price, not an estimate that can change along the way.
- Who owns the site afterward? Check whether you own the code and content fully, or whether you're locked to the provider.
- What happens at launch? Clarify responsibility for hosting, domain, and operation going forward.
See also our guide to choosing a web design agency for more questions to ask.
Frequently Asked Questions About Website Prices
What does a simple website cost?
A simple website with a few pages typically costs between $1,000 and $5,000 from a freelancer or small agency. The price depends on how much text and design needs to be produced from scratch.
What does a website cost per month?
Monthly-based solutions range from $15 to $50 for builder tools to fixed agreements with an agency. With us, web design as a service costs $499 per month with no setup cost, with hosting and optimization included.
What does website maintenance cost?
A maintenance agreement covers security, backup, and updates, and typically costs $100 to $150 per month. Our Service Level Agreement (SLA) starts at $112.50 per month, see the pricing overview for details.
How much does a website redesign cost?
A redesign often costs less than an entirely new website when structure and content can be reused, typically $3,000 to $15,000. With a complete overhaul of features and design, the price approaches what a brand new website costs.
Why are the price differences so large?
The price depends on the number of pages, whether the design is custom or template-based, how much content needs to be produced, and who builds the site. Two websites can look alike on the outside but have completely different complexity behind the scenes.
Can I build a website for free myself?
Yes, it's possible with free builder tools, but in practice you pay with time instead of money. Most free solutions also have limitations that mean you'll quickly need to upgrade to a paid plan.
What does an online store cost?
An online store typically starts around $10,000, depending on the number of products and which payment solutions are needed. See our service for starting an online store for a full overview of what's included.
Conclusion
A website can cost anywhere from $15 per month to over $30,000, depending on scope, features, and who builds it. The most important thing is understanding what you're actually paying for, not just the price tag itself.
Based on over 200 websites delivered since 2015, we know that quality costs, but it pays off over time. Our own website measures 100/100 in Google PageSpeed, showing that good technical quality doesn't have to mean a sky-high price tag.
Once the website is live, the visibility work begins. A good place to start is our 15 SEO tips.
Considering a new website for your business? We'll help you with an honest price estimate before you decide.
