web development charges
Clear, practical advice on what drives web development costs — hourly, fixed-price, subscription, SEO and how to get measurable value from your investment.
Confused why quotes vary from a few hundred to tens of thousands? This guide breaks down every cost factor, realistic price ranges for 2025, how to calculate ROI, red flags to avoid, and negotiation tips so your next web project actually grows your business.
How web development charges are calculated
Web development pricing is a mix of the pricing model (hourly, fixed, subscription), the scope of work, and the supplier's overhead/skill level. Below are the most common approaches you'll see in quotes.
Hourly
Charged by the hour. Typical rates (Australia, 2025): $60–$200/hr depending on experience and location.
Fixed-price (project)
One price for a defined scope. Good for well-specified builds but requires a clear brief and change control.
Subscription / Managed
Monthly fee includes design, hosting, updates and support. Congero’s approach is an example: managed, SEO-ready websites for a flat fee with unlimited updates.
Key cost drivers: what increases web development charges
Realistic price ranges (Australia, 2025) — quick reference
Use these ranges to benchmark quotes. Actual prices depend on the factors above.
| Project type | Typical cost | Delivery time | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-page/brochure site (template) | $300–$1,500 or $49/mo subscription | Same day — 7 days | Startups, trades who just need contact & services |
| Small custom site (5–10 pages) | $1,000–$6,000 | 1–4 weeks | Local businesses that want a tailored design |
| E‑commerce / medium site | $5,000–$25,000 | 3–12 weeks | Shops, bookings, catalogue-driven businesses |
| Enterprise / custom web app | $25,000–$150,000+ | 3–12+ months | Large businesses with unique workflows |
SEO and ongoing costs: what to budget for sustained results
Building a website is step one. Sustainable traffic and enquiries come from ongoing SEO, content and optimisation. These are separate from build costs and can be one of the highest long-term investments — but also the most valuable.
One-off SEO setup
Ongoing SEO & content
Local SEO (for trades)
How to get the best value from your web development spend
1. Start with clear goals
Is the website meant to generate leads, book jobs, sell products or educate customers? Define measurable goals (enquiries/month, conversion rate) before you accept quotes.
2. Prioritise conversion-focused elements
Put budget into: clear calls-to-action, fast load times, mobile usability, testimonials and a visible phone number. These move the needle faster than flashy animations.
3. Ask for an ROI estimate
A good supplier should estimate likely returns: e.g., "With local SEO we expect X more enquiries/month which could generate $Y revenue". Ask them to explain assumptions.
4. Bundle maintenance & updates
Predictable monthly plans that include hosting, security and updates (and unlimited tweaks) often save money vs hourly rates when changes are frequent.
Checklist to evaluate quotes
- What exactly is included (pages, revisions, SEO tasks, images)?
- Who owns the domain, content and code?
- What's the expected delivery time and milestones?
- How are scope changes handled and priced?
- What ongoing maintenance is required and how much will it cost?
Red flags, negotiation tips and smart contract points
Red flags
- Vague scope or open-ended "we'll see" estimates.
- Large upfront payments (50%+) with no clear milestones.
- No ownership clarity for domain/content.
- No written agreement on support, backups and updates.
Negotiation tips
- Break the project into milestones and tie payments to deliverables.
- Ask for a capped hourly rate for out-of-scope work.
- Negotiate a trial support period (e.g., 30–90 days) to verify quality before long commitments.
- Compare at least 3 quotes and match scope line-by-line to compare apples to apples.
Frequently asked questions
Why are agency quotes so much higher than freelancers?
Is a $49/month website really a good option?
How much should I budget for SEO?
Do I need to pay for ongoing maintenance?
Ready to control your web development costs — and get results?
If you want a predictable, results-focused option: Congero builds responsive, SEO-ready websites quickly and manages hosting, local SEO, domain and unlimited updates for a flat monthly fee. No lock-in contracts. Ideal for trades and service businesses who prefer to spend energy on running their business, not managing a website.
Still unsure what to budget?
Gather 3 quotes with the same scope, compare deliverables not just price, and ask each provider for an expected ROI estimate. If you want help creating a clear brief you can copy into supplier requests, we can provide a free brief template.
