Whether you’re running a side hustle, launching a new startup, or refreshing your brand, having a professional website is one of the smartest marketing moves you can make. It’s often the first place potential customers land.
Like it or not, your site sets the tone for how they see your business. Quality speaks volumes. A polished, user-friendly website builds trust, helps convert browsers into buyers, and brings returns that go way beyond just “looking good.”
But here’s the catch: the cost of building a website can swing widely. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer because it depends on what you need. A simple brochure site? That’s one ballpark. A custom eCommerce build with integrations and fancy functionality? Totally different numbers.
In this post, I’ll break down the real factors driving website development cost, so budgeting doesn’t feel like throwing darts in the dark. Let’s clear the fog and get some straight answers.
What costs should I expect when creating a website?
The more features, integrations, and scale you need, the higher the cost. That’s because each add-on requires extra setup, testing, and possibly ongoing updates. Here are the key elements that tend to stack up:
- Domain name
- Website hosting
- Design and development
- SSL certificate
- Content creation
- Plugins or extensions
- CMS (Content Management System)
Custom design vs. pre-made templates: which one’s better?
It depends on your needs, your budget, and how much control you want. Here’s what you’re looking at:
- Pre-made templates: These are fast and affordable. Platforms like WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace offer templates that can be customised with your logo, colours, and content. Expect to pay $0 to $250 for a template, plus any setup help if you’re outsourcing.
- Custom design: A designer builds from scratch based on your brand. It’s perfect if you have a specific vision or need advanced features. Depending on the detail of the job, you’ll pay anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000.
Many small businesses start with templates and upgrade later if their needs grow. Some designers will even “customise” a template to give it a unique touch that lands you somewhere in the middle budget-wise.
Why does good UI/UX and branding make such a big difference?
People decide in seconds whether to stay on a site or click away. That snap judgment is based mostly on design. Your colours, fonts, layout, and even how buttons feel when clicked all contribute to a good (or terrible) first impression.
Here’s what good design delivers:
- Trust: A well-designed site makes you look professional and credible. That makes people more likely to buy, call, or book.
- Clear navigation: Users can find what they need quickly. No one wants to click through five pages to find your pricing.
- Brand recognition: Your logo, voice, and style should show up consistently across pages. You don’t want your ‘Contact Us’ page to feel like it belongs to a different business.
Most web designers will include some UI/UX strategy in their quote, or you might hire someone separately just for that. A solid UI/UX setup typically adds $500 to $2,000 to your project based on complexity.
What is the price range of a website layout?
If you’re after a clean, professional website with good design and layout but without a tonne of extras, here’s a typical range:
- Template with minor customisation: $500 to $2,000
- Fully custom design: $2,000 to $10,000
- High-end UX/UI and branding custom design: $10,000
If you have a tight budget, stick with a solid premium template and work with a freelancer to tweak it. That’s often enough to get you looking sharp without blowing your cash flow.
How much does a domain name cost?
Your domain is your online street address, like yourbusinessname.com. You’ll pay to register it (usually every 1-2 years), and that fee depends on the registrar and the domain extension you choose.
- .com domain: Great for global reach. Pricing is similar at about $10 to $20 a year.
- Other extensions: Domains ending in .co, .shop, or .net can vary from $10 to $50 annually.
Prices are usually cheaper in the first year, with hosting companies or domain registrars offering promos for new registrations. Just double-check the renewal fee.
What are the different types of website hosting, and which one do I need?
Hosting stores your website files and makes them accessible online. Think of it as renting space on the internet. Your choice depends on how big your website is, how many visitors you expect, and your budget.
- Shared hosting: Best for most small businesses. You share server space with other sites, which keeps prices low. Think $3 to $10 a month.
- VPS hosting: A step up from shared hosting, giving you more control and better speed. Ideal if you’re running online bookings or expect higher traffic. Typical plans range from $20 to $80 per month.
- Dedicated hosting: Overkill for tiny websites. You get an entire server to yourself. Expect to pay $100 per month. This is usually only needed for large e-commerce brands or high-traffic blogs.
What additional costs come with running a CMS?
Don’t stop your budget at launch. Every CMS, no matter how plug-and-play it claims to be, comes with ongoing expenses. Here’s what to watch for:
- Plugins and extensions: Many must-have features like SEO tools, forms, or image compressors come as paid add-ons.
- Security: Open-source platforms need regular protection like firewalls, malware scans, and site backups. These often come at an additional cost.
- Maintenance: Someone needs to handle theme/plugin updates and trouble fixes. That might be you, a freelancer, or a maintenance service charging monthly fees.
- Performance upgrades: As traffic grows, you may need better hosting or caching tools to keep your site fast and accessible.
Most proprietary platforms include hosting and security, but charge extra for advanced e-commerce features, marketing integrations, or even adding more than a handful of products. These “little” upgrades add up over time.
How do you make a website for free?
You can build a website without any cost with Bookipi’s AI Website Builder. It’s free, easy, and gets you live fast.
When you’re bootstrapping your business, every dollar counts. Our AI-powered website maker gives you a solid online presence without the big upfront costs. We can handle the layout and structure so you’re up and running in minutes, not hours, with no coding experience required.
Let’s say you’re starting a home bakery. You need a legit-looking website before the local farmer’s market next weekend. You open Bookipi, answer a few prompts like your business name, what you sell, and where you’re based. Your site’s live, with your branding, business hours, contact form, and a clean homepage.
Can I upgrade to a custom domain later?
Absolutely. When you’re ready to scale or make the branding tighter, you can switch to your own domain and unlock multiple pages. Add testimonials. Showcase new services. Expand your reach without switching platforms or starting over. You’re just growing on top of a foundation that already works.
Should you go custom or use a website builder?
When you’re staring down your website development cost, one big question tends to pop up: “Do I really need to hire a developer, or can I just use a website builder and get it done myself?” I hear this all the time from business owners who want a great-looking site without handing over their entire budget.
The truth is, both routes can work. It just depends on what your business needs today and in the future.
How much do website builders cost against custom sites?
Let’s talk numbers because budget drives a lot of decisions for small businesses:
- AI-powered website builder: $9-$13/month with multiple pages and a custom domain
- DIY WordPress with template: $300-$800 for theme, plugins, hosting/special features
- Freelance developer (basic site): $2,000-$5,000 once-off
- Agency-developed custom site: $8,000-$30,000 depending on size/scope
Choose smart over costly when it comes to website development
Too many small businesses launch a site, throw up a few pages, and call it a day. But here’s the thing: your website should work like a 24/7 marketing assistant, not a static piece of online real estate. Before you make any call on price or features, ask yourself:
Is the website designed to convert visitors into leads or sales?
Can customers easily find key info and contact you from their phone?
I’ve worked with businesses that spent under $1,000 on a site and others that went beyond $25,000. The ones that benefited most? They didn’t necessarily spend the most. They made smart choices based on their goals, timelines, and capacity to manage things post-launch.
Here’s how I suggest thinking about cost:
Custom features like bookings, member areas, or e-commerce? Totally worth the added price if they make sales smoother.
SEO and content upgrades? They’re a win across the board. Users find you faster, and you build credibility without cold calls.
Ongoing updates? These make sure your site doesn’t go stale and stays fast, mobile-ready, and aligned with your business evolution.
Website development cost doesn’t have to be your first roadblock. Start with free—scale when the time’s right. Our AI Website Builder puts the idea online so customers can see what you’ve got. Try it today and see how easy it is to start growing your business where people can actually find it!
