web design australia price
How much should you expect to pay in 2025 — and how to compare value, SEO and marketing benefits simply
Clear, practical steps for Australian trades and small businesses to decode web design quotes, compare total cost of ownership, and prioritise SEO & marketing so your website actually drives enquiries.
Typical web design prices in Australia (2025)
Prices vary with scope, platform, and ongoing services. Below are realistic ranges you’ll see when sourcing quotes.
$0–49 / month
Subscription & DIY options
- Template builders (Wix, Squarespace)
- Managed subscription services (all-in monthly plans)
- Fast launch, lower setup time — check SEO & updates included
$1,000–8,000
Small to mid agency builds (upfront)
- Custom design & development
- Stronger SEO work if included
- Often higher quality but slower and can have separate hosting & maintenance fees
$8,000+
Enterprise or complex ecommerce
- Large integrations, complex backend
- Advanced CRO and marketing automation
- Appropriate for scale — not most small businesses
Total cost of ownership (TCO)
To fairly compare offers, add:
- Upfront fees: design, custom work, ecommerce setup
- Monthly fees: hosting, platform, maintenance, updates
- Ongoing marketing: SEO, ads, content creation
- Time cost: your hours to manage the provider or DIY
Tip: A $49/month managed site with included updates and SEO can be cheaper than a $2,500 upfront build plus $150/hr updates.
Why SEO & marketing change the value of a quote
A low price that ignores SEO and lead generation is rarely a bargain. Focus on the value the site will deliver in enquiries and revenue, not just the sticker price.
Baseline SEO benefits to expect
- Local optimisation: Google Business Profile, local schema, and service-area pages
- On-page basics: optimized title tags, meta descriptions, headings and fast content
- Technical SEO: site speed, mobile-first design, sitemaps and structured data
- Tracking: analytics and conversion tracking for ad & SEO insights
Marketing & conversion value
- Conversion optimisation: clear CTAs, trust signals, and booking/quote flows
- Content strategy: pages that target buyer intent and reduce ad spend
- Landing pages: targeted pages for campaigns that improve ad ROI
- Monthly reporting: actionable analytics to improve performance month-to-month
How to compare web design quotes in 5 simple steps
Use this checklist to compare like-for-like and pick the option that gives best long-term value.
List the business outcomes you need: phone leads per week, online bookings, map visibility, portfolio gallery, or online payments.
Get at least three quotes: a DIY/subscription option, a local small agency, and a managed subscription or specialist SEO provider.
- What pages are included?
- Is SEO setup and analytics included?
- Who owns the content and domain?
Add upfront fees + monthly fees + projected ad/SEO costs + the cost of your time to manage or update the site.
See the next section for the 7 must-ask questions you should always ask suppliers before you sign.
Jump to questionsQuick comparison table
| Option | Typical cost | Speed | Best if |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY builder | $10–40/mo | 24–72 hrs (your time) | You have time and minimal budget |
| Managed subscription | $30–99/mo | 24–72 hrs | Want quick launch + included updates |
| Small agency (upfront) | $1,000–8,000 | 2–8 weeks | Need custom design / functionality |
| Enterprise / ecommerce | $8,000+ | 4–12 weeks+ | Complex workflows & integrations |
7 questions to always ask before you buy
1. What exactly is included in the price?
2. Do you include local SEO and schema for Australian businesses?
3. How long until the site is live?
4. Who owns the domain and content?
5. What ongoing support and update policy do you offer?
6. Do you provide analytics and monthly reports?
7. What are cancellation and migration terms?
Quick checklist before you sign
- Is local SEO included (Google Business + schema)?
- Are analytics and conversion tracking set up?
- Do you keep domain control?
- What's the SLA for support and updates?
- Can you see live examples and references?
Frequently asked questions
How much should a small local trades website cost in Australia?
Does a cheaper site mean worse SEO?
What’s the quickest way to launch a converting site?
Ready to compare quotes the easy way?
Use the 5-step checklist above when you get quotes. Prioritise SEO, ownership and predictable monthly costs — that’s where long-term value comes from.
No surprises — compare apples to apples and pick the option that turns visitors into customers.
