how much to make a website
A clear, no-nonsense guide to how much a website costs in 2025, what drives price, and how to budget so your site becomes an investment, not an expense.
Whether you're starting a trades business, opening a café, or launching a professional services firm, this guide explains realistic cost ranges, the line items you should expect, and simple rules for planning your website budget.
How much does a website cost in 2025? — Quick overview
Short answer: it depends. Below are realistic ranges you’ll see in the market. Use these as starting points when planning.
Template / DIY
Best for very small budgets and those willing to invest time.
- Cost: $0–$500/year (platform fees, domain)
- Time: 20–80 hours
- Limitations: less bespoke design, hidden premium features
Freelancer or Small Agency
A balance of quality and cost for most small businesses.
- Cost: $500–$6,000 (depending on scope)
- Time: 1–6 weeks
- Good for custom but affordable builds
Professional Subscription Services
Monthly plans that include design, hosting, and updates.
- Cost: $20–60/month (some start lower promotional price)
- Time: 24–72 hours to launch in many services
- Includes maintenance and predictable fees
Custom Agency / Enterprise
For complex sites, integrations, or large ecommerce stores.
- Cost: $3,000–$20,000+ (or much more)
- Time: 6–24+ weeks
- Fully bespoke design, ongoing retainers possible
7 key factors that drive website price
When you get a quote, these are the things that most influence cost. Be clear about each with any provider you speak to.
Design & visual complexity
Custom-designed pages and bespoke animations cost more than theme-based builds. The number of unique page templates matters (home, services, product pages).
Functionality & integrations
Bookings, ecommerce, quoting tools, CRMs, membership areas, or API work add significant development time.
Content (copy & media)
Writing professional copy, creating product descriptions, or sourcing/retouching photos can be billed separately.
Security, hosting & maintenance
Managed hosting, automatic backups, SSL, and security monitoring are ongoing costs—budget for them monthly or yearly.
SEO & discoverability
Basic on‑page SEO is standard; advanced SEO audits, keyword campaigns, or content strategy are additional services.
Timeline & urgency
Faster delivery can increase cost. Plan ahead to avoid rush fees.
Provider location & experience
Rates vary by region and by experience—specialist agencies charge more than generalist freelancers.
Line‑item costs: what you're actually paying for
Below are common line items you should ask about. Use these to compare quotes like-for-like.
| Item | Typical cost (2025) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Domain name | $0–$30/yr | Often included first year; premium domains cost more. |
| Hosting | $5–100+/mo | Shared vs managed vs dedicated—managed hosting is pricier but safer. |
| SSL certificate | Free–$100/yr | Let's Encrypt is free; extended validation costs more. |
| Design & templates | $0–$4,000+ | Templates are cheap; bespoke design costs more. |
| Development / custom code | $200–$10,000+ | Complex functionality increases this rapidly. |
| Content creation (copy & images) | $0–$2,000+ | DIY saves money; professional copywriters charge more. |
| Ecommerce setup | $500–$10,000+ | Product count, payment gateways, shipping rules drive cost. |
| SEO setup | $0–$3,000+ | Basic SEO included often; ongoing campaigns cost more. |
| Maintenance & updates | $0–$300+/mo | Subscription services bundle this; ad-hoc billing varies. |
| Third-party tools (forms, bookings) | $0–$100+/mo | Some tools have free tiers; upgrades add recurring cost. |
How to budget effectively for your website
Use these practical steps to set a realistic budget and avoid surprises.
- Define the goal first — Is the site for lead generation, online sales, or information? Goals determine the features you need and therefore the budget.
- Make a must-have / nice-to-have list — Prioritise the features that deliver value now (contact form, phone button, service pages) and schedule advanced features later.
- Decide upfront whether to buy or subscribe — Subscription services bundle hosting and updates for predictable monthly costs. One-off builds may seem cheaper initially but often carry hidden maintenance fees.
- Get 2–3 written quotes — Provide each vendor the same brief and ask for an itemised quote (build vs ongoing). Compare like-for-like.
- Allocate contingency — Add ~10–20% contingency for scope changes or unforeseen work.
- Plan for ongoing costs — Budget monthly for hosting, security, backups, and small content updates. Treat this as a marketing expense.
- Measure ROI — Track enquiries and sales. A website that pays for itself within months is a good investment.
Smart ways to reduce cost without hurting results
Start with an MVP
Build a Minimum Viable Product: a strong homepage, 3 service pages, and contact method. Add extras later when you have data.
Use good‑quality templates
A vetted template plus small customisations can look bespoke at a fraction of the cost.
Take your own photos
High-quality mobile photos are often better (and cheaper) than stock images.
Bundle services
Look for providers that include hosting, SSL, and updates in one monthly price to avoid separate bills.
Fix scope before starting
Scope creep is the biggest budget killer—agree deliverables, revisions, and timelines in writing.
Trade time for money where sensible
If you can write the copy yourself or prepare images, you’ll save on agency fees—just be realistic about the time required.
DIY vs hiring a pro — which is right for you?
Both paths are valid. Choose based on available time, budget, and how quickly you need results.
When DIY makes sense
- You have 20–80 hours and want to save money
- Business is low-risk and simple
- You enjoy learning new tools
When hiring a pro is better
- You need a site that converts quickly
- You don't have time to manage technical details
- You want predictable costs and support
Frequently asked questions
How much should I budget for a basic small business website?
Are there ongoing costs after the build?
Will cheaper sites hurt my Google ranking?
How do I avoid scope creep and surprise costs?
How can I measure whether the website was worth the money?
Ready to plan your website budget?
Start by listing goals and must-have features. If you'd like a quick, no-pressure estimate based on your needs, several providers can give an itemised quote — including subscription options that remove large upfront fees.
No hard sell here — use the estimate to compare quotes and make a confident budget decision.
