how much does web design cost
A clear, realistic breakdown of web design prices in Australia for freelancers, agencies, DIY builders and AI-driven services — plus what to budget for ongoing maintenance and SEO.
Prices vary hugely depending on who builds your site and what features you need. Read on for a full breakdown that matches your business needs.
Simple templates can be live in hours; custom enterprise sites take months. Congero can generate a working site in ~60 seconds via text.
Hosting, security, updates, analytics and SEO can be bundled. Congero offers an all-in service for $49/month with unlimited updates.
What determines web design cost?
A few big factors control price — functionality, design complexity, content, integrations, and who you hire.
Features & Functionality
E-commerce, booking systems, custom forms, membership areas, or CRM integrations raise cost significantly. Each integration adds time for setup, testing and security.
Design & Customisation
A bespoke visual design and custom graphics increase design hours. Template-based work is much cheaper but less unique.
Who Builds It
DIY platforms and templates (cheap), freelancers (mid), and specialist agencies (expensive). Costs reflect experience, guarantees and support levels.
Content & SEO
Content creation, copywriting, photography and SEO optimization add one-off or ongoing fees. Quality content directly affects conversion and search rankings.
Security, Hosting & Support
Managed hosting, SSL, backups and 24/7 security monitoring usually cost extra. Bundled services reduce surprises — e.g., Congero includes hosting and SSL for $49/month.
Timeline & Revisions
Faster delivery or more revision rounds increases price. Clear scope up-front prevents scope creep and surprise charges.
Typical web design costs (real-world ranges)
Use these ranges as a budgeting guide. Actual prices will depend on the factors above.
DIY & Templates
Wix, Squarespace, WordPress with premade theme
- Low initial cost
- Limited customisation
- DIY maintenance
Freelancer / Small Agency
Custom designs with moderate functionality
- Better customisation
- Includes some SEO & training
- Revisions usually included
Enterprise & Custom Builds
Complex integrations, bespoke systems
- Advanced integrations
- Enterprise-level support
- Extensive QA & security
E-commerce specific
Small online stores can start from $3,000. Mid-size stores with payment, inventory sync and custom checkout often run $10,000–$40,000. Complex marketplaces and high-volume stores cost more.
COMPARE COSTS WITH A FAST DEMOWhich option is right for your budget?
DIY / Templates
Best for very tight budgets and owners who can manage updates themselves.
- Low price
- Limited SEO & conversions out-of-the-box
- Can be time-consuming
Freelancer
Good balance of price and customisation for small businesses.
- Custom design at moderate cost
- Personal service
- Risk if freelancer is unavailable
Agency / Managed Service
Best for businesses that need ongoing support, marketing, and advanced features.
- Full-service support
- Strategic input & SEO
- Higher upfront cost
Simpler option: All-in for $49/month
Congero offers complete websites delivered by AI in ~60 seconds, then managed continuously for $49/month — domain, hosting, SSL, local SEO, unlimited text-in updates, and monthly analytics.
TRY A FREE DEMO • NO CARDHow to get accurate cost estimates
- 1. Define the scope precisely — number of pages, ecommerce product count, booking or membership needs, and required integrations.
- 2. Prepare your content — ready copy, logo, and images reduce hours spent on the project.
- 3. Ask about ongoing fees — hosting, backups, updates, and analytics are commonly billed separately.
- 4. Request examples and references — see recent sites the provider has delivered and ask for measurable outcomes (traffic, leads).
- 5. Compare total cost of ownership — a low upfront price plus high monthly maintenance can be more expensive over time than an all-in subscription.
Quick calculator
If you value speed and predictable monthly costs, consider Congero's $49/month model: it eliminates most upfront build fees and covers hosting, domain and unlimited edits — great for trades and local businesses.
Typical timelines
Time to launch depends on complexity and approvals.
Template site
Hours to 2 days — install, personalise, and publish.
Freelancer
1–4 weeks depending on revisions and content availability.
Custom agency build
6–12+ weeks for discovery, design, development and QA.
Practical ways to reduce web design costs
You don't have to compromise on quality — optimise your approach.
- Use a proven template and customise only the essentials.
- Bundle services — pick a provider that includes hosting, SSL and updates.
- Prepare content first so developers focus only on implementation.
- Limit revisions with a clear brief and approval plan.
- Use AI-assisted tools for copy and imagery to reduce copywriting costs.
- Choose predictable billing — subscriptions often save money over time versus hourly agency fees.
Why predictability matters
A $49/month managed site with unlimited updates (domain & hosting included) can be cheaper over 2–3 years than a $3,000 low-maintenance build plus monthly hosting and developer fees.
COMPARE YOUR OPTIONS • TRY DEMOFrequently asked questions
Sometimes. A low-cost site may lack clear SEO, fast performance, or conversion-focused design. Consider total ownership cost — hosting, maintenance and upgrades — not just the initial price.
Basic local SEO can be included in a managed plan; dedicated SEO services vary from $300/month for local work to $2,000+/month for competitive markets. Consider starting small and scaling as you see results.
Yes. Subscription-based website services (like Congero) let you spread cost over time while getting a managed site, updates and analytics included — often saving money over multi-year cycles.
Domain registration (or bring your own), secure hosting, SSL, unlimited content updates by text, built-in local SEO, monthly analytics, and no lock-in contracts. The AI builds a responsive site in under 60 seconds.
