cost of designing a website
What affects price, realistic ranges you should expect, and how to get the best value with SEO and marketing in mind
Whether you're a tradie, a small retailer, or a growing service business, this guide breaks down the real costs behind website design, shows you how to compare quotes, and explains which choices improve return on investment through better SEO and conversions.
What Actually Drives the Cost of Designing a Website?
Website pricing isn't random — it's the sum of choices. Below are the primary factors that determine final cost and how each impacts both price and ongoing marketing performance.
Design complexity & customisation
Custom layouts, bespoke illustrations, and multiple unique templates increase time and cost. Templates/blocks reduce cost but may limit uniqueness and on-page conversion optimisation.
- Custom homepage + service pages: higher design hours.
- Branding, custom icons, and illustration work add design and asset costs.
Number of pages & content
More pages = more design, copywriting, SEO optimisation, and QA. A 3-page brochure site costs far less than a 25-page service or product catalogue.
- Each page needs title tags, meta descriptions, headings, and on-page content for SEO.
- Content writing and editing often billed per page or per hour.
E-commerce & booking systems
Online stores, payment gateways, inventory, shipping rules, or appointment booking dramatically increase complexity and ongoing cost (security, PCI compliance, transaction fees).
Third-party integrations
CRMs, email marketing, live chat, analytics, and accounting integrations require setup and testing. Each integration adds development and maintenance time.
SEO and content strategy
Proper on-page SEO, keyword research, structured data (schema), and content optimisation require specialist time. Investing in SEO during build saves marketing cost later.
Performance & hosting
Fast hosting, CDN, image optimisation, and caching improve speed (and search rankings). Cheap shared hosting may save money up-front but costs in performance and SEO.
Revisions, support & maintenance
How many rounds of changes, whether unlimited updates are included, and SLA response times affect price. Ongoing maintenance (security, updates, backups) is a recurring cost.
Security & compliance
SSL, regular backups, malware scanning, and regulatory needs (privacy policy, cookie consent) add time and recurring fees.
Realistic Price Ranges — What to Expect in 2025
Prices vary by region and provider, but these ranges reflect common approaches and what you get for each.
DIY / Template
- Template-based design
- Limited SEO setup
- Time investment 20–80 hours
Managed Subscription
- Professional design & mobile-first
- Includes ongoing updates & basic SEO
- Fast launch (24–72 hrs)
Custom Agency Build
- Full UX, branding, bespoke features
- Longer timelines (weeks to months)
- Ongoing maintenance often extra
How to translate quotes into true cost
Ask providers to break quotes into:
- Design & development (one-off)
- Hosting, updates, and maintenance (monthly)
- SEO, content, and marketing setup (one-off or monthly)
- Any third-party subscription fees (paid directly by you)
Design Choices That Improve SEO & Marketing ROI
Spend on elements that drive traffic and conversions first. The cheapest site isn't the most valuable — choose features that increase revenue per visitor.
Conversion-focused layout
Clear headlines, strong CTAs, trust signals (testimonials, accreditations), and contact details above the fold increase leads.
A small design tweak that improves conversion by 10% multiplies the value of every visitor — often yielding ROI far faster than extra pages or features.
Keyword-led content & page structure
Use keyword research to shape service pages and headings. A page optimised for a transactional keyword can generate ongoing organic enquiries.
Budget for targeted content on your highest-value services instead of many low-traffic pages.
Mobile-first performance
Google uses mobile-first indexing. Fast mobile load times improve rankings and reduce bounce rates.
Invest in compressed images, proper caching, and a CDN — these are relatively low cost with high impact.
Analytics & tracking
Set up analytics, goals, and call tracking during the build. Without measurement, marketing spend is guesswork.
Make sure Google Analytics / GA4, Search Console, and conversion events are configured before launch.
Technical SEO basics
Sitemaps, robots.txt, canonical URLs, structured data (LocalBusiness schema), and proper heading hierarchy are quick wins for visibility.
Local SEO & citations
For local businesses, accurate Google Business Profile and consistent NAP (name/address/phone) across directories is essential.
Ask your provider whether Google Business and schema setup are included or available as an add-on.
Marketing-first budgeting rule
If you must prioritise, allocate budget in this order: 1) Conversion design and measurement, 2) SEO-focused pages for your highest-value services, 3) Performance & mobile optimisation, 4) Extra features.
How to Compare Quotes — Ask for These Details
A line-item quote makes comparison simple. Ask every provider to include:
- Deliverables: number of pages, what’s included on each page, who supplies content and images.
- SEO tasks: keyword research, meta tags, schema, sitemap submission.
- Timeline: start date, milestones, and launch date.
- Revisions: number of design rounds included.
- Support & updates: monthly support hours or unlimited updates policy.
- Hosting & domain: included or separate, renewal costs.
- Ownership: who owns the design, source files, and code; domain control.
Red flags in quotes
- Vague scope or "we'll build what you want" without specifics
- Extra fees for basic things (updating images, small content changes)
- Long lock-in contracts with heavy cancellation penalties
How to Save Money Without Sacrificing Results
Prepare content in advance
Provide clear service descriptions, photos, and prices. Agencies charge less time when content is ready.
Use good stock photos smartly
Professional photos help conversions; use a mix of a couple of real photos and curated stock to keep costs low.
Leverage AI for drafts
Use AI to create first drafts of page copy or meta descriptions, then have a human edit for quality—saves copywriting hours.
Pick subscription models with unlimited updates
If you expect frequent changes, a flat monthly fee that includes updates can be cheaper than hourly rates.
Prioritise must-haves
Launch with core pages and measurable goals; add extras after you start getting traffic and leads.
Choose a provider who understands your market
An agency experienced in your industry spends less discovery time and delivers stronger conversion-focused pages.
Checklist: What to Send When Requesting Quotes
- Short business summary & 3 competitor sites you like
- Primary services you want to rank for (or target locations)
- Number of pages and any special features (e-commerce, bookings)
- Brand assets: logo, colours, hero images (or note if stock images needed)
- Any existing analytics or Google Business access you can share
- Desired launch timeline and monthly budget
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I budget for a small business website?
Are monthly subscriptions better than one-off builds?
How do I ensure the site ranks well on Google?
Can I get a website quickly without sacrificing SEO?
Ready to compare prices the smart way?
Get a clear quote that shows true cost and value — including SEO setup, hosting, and updates. Try Congero's demo to see how fast a professional, SEO-friendly site can go live.
Congero builds mobile-first, SEO-optimised websites for a simple monthly fee with unlimited updates and no lock-in contracts.
