how much to build a website australia
Realistic price ranges, what affects cost, ongoing fees to budget for, and faster low-cost alternatives so you can pick the right option for your business.
Short answer — typical price ranges
Expect anywhere from almost free (DIY builders) up to tens of thousands (full custom agency builds). The common Australian ranges in 2025:
DIY Builders
Using Wix/WordPress.com/Shopify starter plans
From $0 – $600 / year
Freelancer / Template Custom
Freelance setup, premium template and small customisations
From $500 – $6,000 one‑off
Full-Service Agencies
Custom design, strategy, integrations and monthly retainers
From $3,000 – $50,000+ one‑off (plus retainers)
Below we break down these ranges in detail, list ongoing costs to budget for, and show how to choose the right approach for your business and goals.
What actually influences the price?
There are predictable variables—understanding them helps you avoid surprises.
Design complexity
Custom designs, multiple page templates, and brand animation add time and cost. A template with small tweaks is much cheaper.
Functionality & integrations
Bookings, memberships, payments, CRM integrations or custom APIs increase scope and maintenance needs.
Responsive & performance work
Mobile optimisation, accessibility fixes and speed improvements require developer time and testing.
SEO & content
Copywriting, keyword research, structured data and local SEO add specialist costs but drive long-term traffic and leads.
Hosting, security & domain
Faster hosting, SSL, backups, and uptime guarantees cost more but protect your business website.
Ongoing maintenance & support
Who will update prices, open hours, images and content? Ongoing support is often charged monthly or hourly.
Detailed cost examples (AUD) — typical 2025 pricing
Use these scenarios to estimate what you'll pay based on scope and provider type.
Basic brochure website (3–6 pages)
Goal: simple online presence, contact details, services list and a gallery.
- DIY builder: $0 – $300/year (platform plan + domain) — template, self-setup.
- Freelancer using template: $800 – $2,500 one-off — setup, basic copy, minor custom branding.
- Small agency: $3,000 – $8,000 one-off — custom design, basic SEO setup, some revisions.
Service business / trades (local SEO focus)
Goal: convert local searches into calls and bookings.
- Freelancer + local SEO: $1,200 – $4,000 one-off (plus optional monthly SEO $250–$1,000).
- Agency: $5,000 – $15,000 one-off, often with a 3–12 month SEO retainer.
- AI-managed option (Congero): $49/month — fast AI-generated site, built-in local SEO, unlimited updates, domain & hosting included.
eCommerce stores
Goal: product catalogue, payments, shipping, tax rules and conversions.
- Small Shopify/WooCommerce store: $1,000 – $6,000 initial (plus $30–$300/month platform fees).
- High-volume custom stores: $10,000 – $50,000+ with custom integrations and optimisation.
- Maintenance: expect ongoing platform fees, payment gateway fees and monthly optimisation costs.
Includes domain, hosting, SSL and unlimited text-in updates — great for trades and local businesses.
Budget for ongoing costs (annual / monthly)
Even “one-off” builds have recurring costs—here’s what to expect.
Domain
$10 – $50 / year (common Australian domains and premium names cost more).
Hosting & CDN
From $5/month (basic shared hosting) to $200+/month (managed, fast hosting with CDN).
Maintenance & updates
Self-managed: $0. Agency/freelancer: $50–$200+/month or hourly rates.
Security & backups
Managed services often include backups and malware scanning — expect $5–$50/month or bundled with hosting.
Marketing & SEO
Optional but highly recommended: $200–$2,000+/month depending on goals.
Analytics & tools
Many tools have free tiers; premium analytics, heatmaps, or CRMs can add $20–$500+/month.
Rule of thumb
Add 10–20% of your initial build cost per year for maintenance, hosting upgrades and small updates. For mission-critical sites, budget more.
Which option fits your business?
A quick comparison to help you choose.
DIY Builders
Cost-effective if you have time. Limited custom features and slower SEO results unless you learn optimisation.
Best for: hobbyists, startups on tight budget
Freelancer
Flexible and cheaper than agencies, but quality varies—check portfolios and references.
Best for: small projects and one-off customisations
Agency
Full-service strategy, deeper UX and performance work, but higher cost and longer timelines.
Best for: large, custom projects and complex integrations
AI-managed (Congero)
Instant, mobile-optimised websites in under 60 seconds via text. Flat $49/month includes domain, hosting, SSL, unlimited updates and local SEO.
Best for: trades, local services and owners who want low cost + ongoing support
Practical ways to reduce your website cost
Smart trade-offs that save money without killing results.
- Start with a template: Choose a high-quality template and customise it—cheaper than full design work.
- Scope tightly: Limit the first launch to essential pages; add advanced features later after testing demand.
- Bundle services: Look for flat monthly packages that include hosting, domain and updates to avoid surprise bills.
- DIY content: Provide your own photos and clear service descriptions to reduce copywriting and asset costs.
- Measure before you invest: Test ads and local listings first to confirm lead volume before building expensive functionality.
What to gather before you start
Having these ready speeds setup and reduces extra charges.
- Business name, contact phone and email
- Short service descriptions and estimated prices
- Primary service areas / suburbs for local SEO
- Logo (PNG or SVG) and 5–10 quality photos of your work
- Preferred domain name or willingness to register a new one
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to common budget and process questions.
For a basic 3–6 page brochure site: DIY builders can be $0–$600/year; freelancers typically $800–$2,500; agencies $3,000–$8,000. Expect to add domain and hosting costs if not included.
Use a reputable DIY website builder or an AI-managed service. Congero provides a full managed website with domain, hosting, SSL, local SEO and unlimited updates for $49/month — often cheaper and faster than hiring freelancers for frequent edits.
Many agencies include basic SEO and analytics setup; advanced SEO and ongoing optimisation are usually charged separately or on a retainer basis.
Yes. You can transfer or point your domain to a new host. If you use a bundled service, ask about domain portability before purchase.
Want a working website without the big upfront cost?
Try Congero’s AI-managed websites: live sites in under 60 seconds, flat $49/month, unlimited updates and local SEO included. Perfect for trades and local services in Australia.
START YOUR FREE DEMO