If you're searching "how much does a website cost," you've probably encountered wildly different answers. Some say $500, others quote $50,000. The truth? It depends entirely on what you need.
After building websites for businesses of all sizes, I'm going to give you the real breakdown—no fluff, no sales pitch, just honest numbers you can actually use to budget.
Quick Answer: Website Cost Ranges in 2026
| Website Type | DIY/Template | Freelancer | Agency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Business Site (5-10 pages) | $0-$500 | $1,500-$5,000 | $5,000-$15,000 |
| Professional Business Site | $500-$2,000 | $5,000-$15,000 | $15,000-$50,000 |
| E-Commerce Store | $500-$3,000 | $5,000-$25,000 | $25,000-$100,000+ |
| Custom Web Application | N/A | $10,000-$50,000 | $50,000-$500,000+ |
What Actually Affects Website Cost?
1. Number of Pages
More pages = more work = higher cost. A simple 5-page site costs less than a 50-page site with complex navigation.
2. Custom Design vs. Templates
Templates are cheaper upfront but limit your brand. Custom design costs more but sets you apart from competitors using the same template.
3. Functionality Requirements
- Contact forms: Basic (included) to complex multi-step (+$200-$500)
- E-commerce: +$2,000-$10,000 depending on products
- User accounts/portals: +$3,000-$15,000
- Booking/scheduling: +$1,000-$5,000
- Custom integrations: +$500-$5,000 each
4. Content Creation
Many quotes don't include content. Professional copywriting adds $100-$500 per page. Photography can add $500-$2,000.
5. SEO Setup
Basic SEO should be included. Advanced SEO packages add $500-$2,000 to initial setup, plus $500-$2,000/month ongoing.
The Hidden Costs Nobody Tells You About
Ongoing Costs (Annual)
- Domain name: $12-$50/year
- Hosting: $100-$500/year (shared) to $1,000-$5,000/year (dedicated)
- SSL certificate: Free-$200/year
- Maintenance: $500-$2,000/year (or $50-$200/month)
- Plugin/software updates: $200-$1,000/year
Costs That Sneak Up On You
- Email marketing integration
- CRM setup
- Analytics configuration
- Speed optimization
- Security monitoring
DIY vs. Freelancer vs. Agency: Which is Right for You?
Choose DIY (Wix, Squarespace, WordPress.com) If:
- Budget under $1,000
- You have time to learn
- Simple needs (basic info site, blog)
- You're comfortable with technology
Pros: Cheapest option, full control
Cons: Time-consuming, limited customization, may look unprofessional
Choose a Freelancer If:
- Budget $2,000-$25,000
- You want professional quality
- Need custom functionality
- Want direct communication
Pros: Best value, personal attention, flexibility
Cons: One person handling everything, availability varies
Choose an Agency If:
- Budget $15,000+
- Complex requirements
- Need ongoing support team
- Enterprise-level needs
Pros: Full team, comprehensive services
Cons: Expensive, can feel impersonal, slower communication
Real-World Examples: What Businesses Actually Pay
Local Restaurant Website
Cost: $2,500-$5,000
Includes: 5-7 pages, menu display, online reservations integration, contact form, mobile-responsive design, Google Maps, basic SEO
Professional Services Firm (Law, Accounting)
Cost: $5,000-$15,000
Includes: 10-20 pages, team profiles, service descriptions, blog, lead capture forms, professional copywriting, SEO optimization
E-Commerce Store (50-200 products)
Cost: $8,000-$25,000
Includes: Product catalog, shopping cart, payment processing, inventory management, shipping integration, customer accounts
SaaS/Web Application
Cost: $25,000-$150,000+
Includes: Custom functionality, user authentication, database design, API integrations, admin dashboard, ongoing development
Red Flags: When a Quote is Too Good (or Bad) to Be True
Warning Signs of Cheap Quotes:
- No contract or unclear scope
- Won't show previous work
- Promises everything for $500
- No mention of ongoing costs
- Uses only templates without customization
Warning Signs of Overpriced Quotes:
- Vague line items
- Charging separately for basic features
- Significantly higher than multiple other quotes
- Pressure tactics to sign quickly
How to Get the Best Value for Your Website
- Know your goals before getting quotes. What do you want the website to actually DO for your business?
- Get 3-5 quotes. This gives you a realistic range for your specific needs.
- Ask about everything included. Hosting? SSL? Training? Revisions? Ongoing support?
- Check portfolios and references. Past work tells you more than promises.
- Understand ownership. Will you own the code? Can you take it elsewhere?
- Plan for the future. Cheaper now can mean expensive later if you need to rebuild.
Bottom Line: What Should You Budget?
For a professional small business website that actually helps you get customers, budget $3,000-$10,000 for initial development, plus $500-$1,500/year for ongoing costs.
This gets you a custom design, professional functionality, and a website that represents your business well—not a template that looks like everyone else's.
Remember: Your website is an investment, not an expense. A $5,000 website that brings in $50,000 in new business is infinitely better than a $500 website that makes visitors click away.
Need a custom quote for your project? Get in touch for a free consultation. I'll give you an honest assessment of what your website should cost—no pressure, no upselling.
