Cost guide
How much does a website cost?
Last reviewed , published by Gjethe
The short answer
A website's cost depends mostly on how many unique page layouts it needs, who produces the content, the custom features and integrations involved, and how many languages it supports. Pricing is based on your project and agreed in your quote.
Asking what a website costs is a bit like asking what a house costs: the answer depends on size, materials and what's inside. This guide explains the factors that actually move the price, the costs that continue after launch, and how to brief a project so the quotes you receive are comparable.
What are the main types of website?
The type of site sets the baseline. Pricing is based on your project and agreed in your quote.
| Type | What it is | What usually moves the quote |
|---|---|---|
| Landing page | One page for a campaign, launch or lead magnet | Copywriting, custom sections, form and tracking integrations |
| Small business website | 3–5 pages explaining who you are and what you offer | Number of unique layouts, who writes the content, languages |
| Corporate website | 5–15 pages, usually with a CMS and several templates | Templates, CMS structure, content migration, integrations |
| E-commerce store | Catalogue, cart, checkout, payments and shipping | Platform, catalogue size, payment and shipping rules, ERP links |
| Web application | Logged-in users, data and custom workflows | User roles, workflows, data model, security needs |
Which factors change the price the most?
Unique page layouts
Price follows the number of distinct templates more than the number of pages. Twenty blog posts share one template; a services page, a pricing page and a booking page each need their own design.
Content production
If copy, photos and translations are ready, the project is mostly design and build. If they need to be written, sourced or translated, that is real additional work.
Custom functionality
Calculators, booking flows, member areas, filtering and search are development work on top of standard pages.
Integrations
Connecting a CRM, booking system, payment provider or inventory system adds set-up, testing and error handling.
Languages
Each language needs translated content, its own URLs, metadata and hreflang set-up, and the layouts must hold longer German or shorter English text.
Design ambition
Custom illustration, rich animation and unusual layouts take longer than a clean, conventional design, both can look premium.
What should a website quote include?
A good quote describes the scope, not just a total. Look for the list of pages or templates, what content is included, which integrations are covered, how many revision rounds you get, and what happens after launch.
Also check who owns what at the end. You should own the domain, the hosting account, the analytics and the source code or CMS. A cheap site that you cannot move or edit without the original developer becomes expensive later.
Finally, check what is excluded. Common exclusions are copywriting, stock photography, translations, third-party licences and ongoing maintenance, none of these are wrong to exclude, but you should know before you compare quotes.
What does a website cost after launch?
Running costs are often forgotten in the first budget. These are the usual categories; amounts depend on your provider and plan.
| Cost | What it covers | Who it's paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Domain name | Your address on the web, renewed every year | Domain registrar |
| Hosting | The servers that deliver the site | Hosting provider (e.g. Vercel, AWS) |
| Licences | Premium plugins, themes, fonts or SaaS tools | Each vendor |
| Email & tools | Business email, forms, booking or newsletter tools | Each vendor |
| Maintenance | Updates, backups, security monitoring, small fixes | Your developer or agency |
| Content & marketing | New pages, SEO, ads | In-house or agency |
How do you get an accurate quote?
- 01
Define the goal
Write one sentence about what the site must achieve, enquiries, bookings, sales, credibility with investors.
- 02
List the pages
A rough sitemap is enough. Mark which pages share a layout.
- 03
Describe the features
Forms, booking, payments, member areas, search, languages.
- 04
Say what content exists
Copy, photos, logo and translations: ready, partly ready or needed.
- 05
Share references
Two or three sites you like and what you like about them.
- 06
Give a budget range
A range lets a good agency recommend the best scope for your money instead of guessing.
How can you reduce the cost without cutting quality?
- Launch with fewer, stronger pages and add more later
- Reuse templates instead of designing every page uniquely
- Prepare content before the design starts
- Use an existing booking or payment tool instead of building one
- Start in one language and add others once the site proves itself
- Choose a platform your team can edit, so small changes don't need a developer
Freelancer, agency or website builder?
Who builds the site changes the cost structure as much as what you build.
| Option | Where the money goes | Best when |
|---|---|---|
| DIY website builder | Monthly platform subscription and your own time | You need something simple quickly and enjoy doing it yourself |
| Freelancer | One person's time across design and development | The scope is small and clear, and you can manage the project |
| Agency or studio | A team covering design, development, SEO and support | The site matters to revenue, needs several skills, or must be maintained |
| In-house team | Salaries, tools and management | You change the site constantly and it is central to the business |
Cheap now, expensive later
Frequently asked questions
Why do website quotes vary so much?
Quotes describe different things. One may include copywriting, SEO and a CMS; another may be a template with your logo. Compare the scope line by line, not just the totals.
Is a template cheaper than a custom design?
Usually at the start. Templates become expensive when you need changes they weren't designed for, or when their plugins slow the site down. Custom design costs more upfront and fits your content exactly.
Do I have to pay monthly for a website?
You will always pay for a domain and hosting. Maintenance plans are optional but recommended for sites with plugins or frequent updates.
Does SEO cost extra?
Technical SEO should be part of the build. Ongoing SEO (new content, link building and monthly optimisation) is a separate service.
What is usually not included in a website price?
Common exclusions are copywriting, professional photography, translations, premium plugin or font licences, domain and hosting fees, and ongoing maintenance. A clear quote lists them, so nothing surprises you later.
Should I set my budget before talking to an agency?
Yes, even a rough range helps. It lets the agency recommend what to prioritise for your money, rather than quoting a scope you can't afford or under-scoping a site you need to grow.
How do I pay for a website project?
Larger projects are usually split into milestones, for example 50% upfront and 50% on delivery.
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Keep reading
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What a maintenance plan should cover, and why.
How to write a project brief
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Speed and flexibility versus familiar editing.
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- 2We aim to reply within 24 hours with questions
- 3You get a written quote for your project