WEBSITE COST GUIDE — 2025

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.

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Typical one-off cost
$0 – $30,000+

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.

Usual turnaround
1 day – 12+ weeks

Simple templates can be live in hours; custom enterprise sites take months. Congero can generate a working site in ~60 seconds via text.

Ongoing costs
$10 – $500+/month

Hosting, security, updates, analytics and SEO can be bundled. Congero offers an all-in service for $49/month with unlimited updates.

COST DRIVERS

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.

PRICE RANGES

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

$0–$500
  • Low initial cost
  • Limited customisation
  • DIY maintenance

Freelancer / Small Agency

Custom designs with moderate functionality

$1,500–$12,000
  • Better customisation
  • Includes some SEO & training
  • Revisions usually included

Enterprise & Custom Builds

Complex integrations, bespoke systems

$10,000–$100,000+
  • 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.

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CHOOSING WHO BUILDS YOUR SITE

Which 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.

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How to get accurate cost estimates

  1. 1. Define the scope precisely — number of pages, ecommerce product count, booking or membership needs, and required integrations.
  2. 2. Prepare your content — ready copy, logo, and images reduce hours spent on the project.
  3. 3. Ask about ongoing fees — hosting, backups, updates, and analytics are commonly billed separately.
  4. 4. Request examples and references — see recent sites the provider has delivered and ask for measurable outcomes (traffic, leads).
  5. 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.

DELIVERY

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.

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SAVE MONEY

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.

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FAQ

Frequently 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.

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