If you’re asking, “How much does it cost to make a website?” — you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions small business owners, startups, and even freelancers ask when entering the digital space.
The answer isn’t straightforward. Depending on whether you use a DIY website builder, hire a freelancer, or go all out with a professional agency, website costs can range from a few hundred dollars to well over $100,000. And we’re not even talking about recurring expenses like maintenance, hosting, and SEO.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down website pricing in 2025, including:
- The average cost of website design for small business
- Website redesign cost
- Website design firm pricing
- Web design agency pricing
- And even how much website designers make
By the end, you’ll have all the clarity you need to budget smartly, whether you’re building your first site or upgrading your current one.
Why Understanding Website Costs Is Crucial
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, artist, blogger, or corporate CEO, your website is your digital storefront. An effective, fast, and mobile-friendly site can boost your credibility, drive conversions, and serve as your top sales rep.
Investing wisely in your site ensures:
- Long-term ROI
- Positive user experience (UX)
- SEO performance
- Reduced bounce rates
- Scalability
But what happens if you under-invest? You’ll likely end up with a clunky, slow, or outdated site that doesn’t rank well and turns visitors away.
Different Types of Websites and Their Price Ranges
Each type of website comes with its feature requirements—and its price tag.
1. Personal Website / Resume Website
A personal site is typically a one-pager or a simple 3–5 page website. Think of it as your digital business card.
- DIY Cost: $50–$300/year
- Freelancer/Basic Dev Cost: $500–$1,500
- With Professional Agency: $1,500–$5,000
2. Portfolio or Blog
This is great for photographers, writers, designers, or content creators. It typically includes a homepage, an about section, a blog feed, and a contact page.
- DIY: $100–$500/year
- With Developer: $1,000–$3,000
- Agency: $3,000–$7,000
3. Small Business Website
This is where things get more serious. A small business needs:
- Service pages
- Testimonials
- Forms
- Booking or scheduling tools
- Basic SEO
The average cost of website design for small business:
- DIY: $200–$1,000/year
- Freelancer: $1,500–$5,000
- Web design agency pricing: $5,000–$15,000
4. E-commerce Website
These sites require complex backend systems—shopping carts, product databases, secure payment gateways, and more.
- DIY (Shopify, WooCommerce): $500–$2,000 to start
- Freelancer: $3,000–$10,000
- Agency: $10,000–$50,000+
5. Custom Web Applications
Think real estate platforms, online learning portals, or CRMs. Requires advanced coding, scalability, and, often, a full development team.
- Minimum: $15,000
- High-end platforms: $100,000+
Initial vs. Recurring Website Costs
It’s important to think of your website as an ongoing investment.
Initial Costs Include:
- Domain purchase
- Design and development
- Initial content
- Setup of hosting and email
Ongoing Costs Include:
- Hosting
- Domain renewal
- Monthly maintenance
- Security and backups
- SEO, content marketing, PPC
Let’s break these down even further.
Website Build Cost Breakdown
1. Domain Name
Every website needs a domain name. Expect to pay:
- Regular domain: $10–$20/year
- Premium domain: $500–$10,000+
Choosing the right domain extension is also crucial. Understanding the difference between .com and .net can help guide your decision, especially in terms of branding and credibility.
2. Hosting
- Shared hosting: $3–$10/month (for basic sites)
- VPS hosting: $20–$80/month (for moderate traffic)
- Dedicated server: $100–$500/month (for large-scale sites)
- Cloud hosting (AWS, Google Cloud): Pay-as-you-go
3. Website Design
- Template-based designs: $100–$1,000
- Custom designs: $2,000–$20,000+
Design accounts for UX (user experience), brand consistency, and mobile responsiveness. This is where website design firm pricing gets a little steep, but the results are high quality.
4. Website Development
- Basic coded site: $1,000–$5,000
- CMS-based (WordPress): $2,000–$10,000
- Custom features/app integrations: $10,000+
Investing in professional web development services can ensure your site is scalable, fast, and secure.
5. Content Creation
Professional copywriters often charge $50–$300 per page. You can DIY, but quality content drives conversions, so it’s worth investing.
- Blog/article writing: $100–$500 each
- Product descriptions: $10–$50 each
- Visuals/videos: $500–$5,000+
If your goal is to rank higher in search results, consider hiring SEO copywriting services that combine engaging content with keyword-rich optimization.
6. SEO Setup
- Basic on-page SEO: $500–$1,000
- Technical SEO & audits: $1,000–$3,000
- Full SEO campaign: $1,500–$5,000/month
For businesses serious about growth, ongoing professional SEO services are critical. These services include link-building, content strategy, audits, and keyword research tailored to your niche.
What About Redesign Costs?
Is the website looking outdated? A website redesign cost depends on:
- Platform updates
- UX improvements
- Content overhaul
- Mobile Optimization
Depending on the scope, expect to pay between $1,000 and $15,000+. To keep up with tech and user trends, redesigns are often needed every 2–4 years.
How Much Do Website Designers Make?
Curious about what the pros behind the scenes earn?
Freelance Website Designers:
- Hourly: $25–$100/hour
- Per project: $500–$10,000
In-House Designers:
- Entry-level: $40,000/year
- Mid-level: $60,000/year
- Senior UX/UI designer: $80,000–$120,000/year
Agency Designers:
Salaries are higher, especially with bonuses and benefits. Designers in NYC, LA, or London earn 30–50% more.
Website Cost Calculator (Real-World Estimates)
Here’s a simplified calculator to help estimate costs:
| Feature | Low-End Cost | High-End Cost |
| Domain | $10/year | $50/year |
| Hosting | $36/year | $5,000/year |
| Design (template/custom) | $100 | $20,000 |
| Development | $500 | $50,000 |
| Content | $200 | $5,000+ |
| SEO | $500 | $30,000/year |
| Maintenance | $50/month | $1,000/month |
Web Design Agency Pricing (What You’re Really Paying For)
When you hire a full-service agency, you’re paying for more than just a site. You’re getting:
- Dedicated team (designers, devs, SEO, copywriters)
- Project management
- Strategy sessions
- UX testing
- Analytics integration
- Ongoing support
That’s why web design agency pricing typically ranges from $5,000 to $100,000, depending on complexity.
How to Save Money Without Cutting Corners
- Start with a template and scale as needed
- Write your content if you’re confident
- Use open-source CMS like WordPress
- Skip unnecessary features in phase one
- Outsource to vetted freelancers if your budget is tight
- Invest in SEO early to save on paid ads later
Conclusion
So, how much does a website cost? The truth is—it depends. From a DIY portfolio site to a fully custom eCommerce platform, your website budget should align with your goals, business type, and growth plans.
If you’re just getting started, you can build a lean site for under $1,000. But if you’re scaling a brand, investing in quality design, SEO, and professional development can set you back $10,000–$50,000—or more.
Don’t think of a website as a cost. Think of it as an investment—one that, when done right, can return massive value for years to come.
FAQs
1. How much does it cost to make a website in 2025?
Anywhere from $100 to $100,000+, depending on complexity, platform, and who builds it.
2. What’s the average cost of website design for small businesses?
Most small businesses spend between $2,000 and $10,000 for a quality, SEO-friendly website.
3. How do I use a website cost calculator?
List out the components—domain, hosting, design, content, plugins, SEO, and ongoing costs—and assign real prices to each based on your research or quotes.
4. Is a redesign cheaper than building from scratch?
Sometimes. But if your current site is outdated or hard to scale, starting fresh may be more cost-effective in the long run.
5. How much do website designers make?
Freelancers charge $25–$100/hour or $500–$10,000/project. In-house designers earn $40K–$120K/year, depending on experience and location.
