Expect anywhere from almost free (DIY builders) up to tens of thousands (full custom agency builds). The common Australian ranges in 2025:
Using Wix/WordPress.com/Shopify starter plans
From $0 – $600 / year
Freelance setup, premium template and small customisations
From $500 – $6,000 one‑off
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.
There are predictable variables—understanding them helps you avoid surprises.
Custom designs, multiple page templates, and brand animation add time and cost. A template with small tweaks is much cheaper.
Bookings, memberships, payments, CRM integrations or custom APIs increase scope and maintenance needs.
Mobile optimisation, accessibility fixes and speed improvements require developer time and testing.
Copywriting, keyword research, structured data and local SEO add specialist costs but drive long-term traffic and leads.
Faster hosting, SSL, backups, and uptime guarantees cost more but protect your business website.
Who will update prices, open hours, images and content? Ongoing support is often charged monthly or hourly.
Use these scenarios to estimate what you'll pay based on scope and provider type.
Goal: simple online presence, contact details, services list and a gallery.
Goal: convert local searches into calls and bookings.
Goal: product catalogue, payments, shipping, tax rules and conversions.
Includes domain, hosting, SSL and unlimited text-in updates — great for trades and local businesses.
Even “one-off” builds have recurring costs—here’s what to expect.
$10 – $50 / year (common Australian domains and premium names cost more).
From $5/month (basic shared hosting) to $200+/month (managed, fast hosting with CDN).
Self-managed: $0. Agency/freelancer: $50–$200+/month or hourly rates.
Managed services often include backups and malware scanning — expect $5–$50/month or bundled with hosting.
Optional but highly recommended: $200–$2,000+/month depending on goals.
Many tools have free tiers; premium analytics, heatmaps, or CRMs can add $20–$500+/month.
Add 10–20% of your initial build cost per year for maintenance, hosting upgrades and small updates. For mission-critical sites, budget more.
A quick comparison to help you choose.
Cost-effective if you have time. Limited custom features and slower SEO results unless you learn optimisation.
Best for: hobbyists, startups on tight budget
Flexible and cheaper than agencies, but quality varies—check portfolios and references.
Best for: small projects and one-off customisations
Full-service strategy, deeper UX and performance work, but higher cost and longer timelines.
Best for: large, custom projects and complex integrations
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
Smart trade-offs that save money without killing results.
Having these ready speeds setup and reduces extra charges.
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.
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.
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