How much does a simple website cost?

A basic brochure website typically costs between $700 and $3,500 if built as a one-off project. Managed subscription options start around $49/month.

What factors increase website cost?

Design complexity, custom features, integrations, professional copywriting, photography, and advanced SEO all increase cost.

Is a subscription model cheaper long-term?

Subscriptions convert large upfront fees into predictable monthly payments and often include hosting, maintenance, updates and support — which can be cost‑effective for small businesses.

Can I reduce costs without hurting results?

Yes. Use templates, provide your own photos and copy, prioritise critical features, and choose a managed service that bundles hosting and updates.

COST GUIDE • 2025

website design cost

How much does a website cost in 2025? Get realistic price ranges, the factors that drive cost, examples for trades and small businesses, and practical ways to reduce expenses — including a low-cost managed option from Congero.

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Real-world cost ranges for 2025
What affects price and timeline
Actionable tips to lower costs

QUICK ANSWER

How much does a website cost in 2025?

Typical price ranges (Australia, 2025):

Basic brochure site

3–6 pages: $700 — $3,500 (one-off) or $49/mo subscription

Small business, trades, services

Custom business site

6–20 pages: $3,500 — $12,000 (one-off)

Custom templates, more content, integrations

E-commerce & advanced

From $6,000 to $50,000+ depending on products and custom features

Payments, stock, custom checkout, integrations

These are averages — actual cost depends on scope, design complexity, copywriting, SEO, integrations and who builds it.

COST FACTORS

What affects website cost?

Understanding these factors helps you estimate a realistic budget and avoid surprises.

Design Complexity

Custom designs, illustration, animations and bespoke UI increase hours and cost. Using templates reduces price significantly.

Content & Copywriting

Professional copy, service descriptions and photography add to the budget. Many agencies charge per page or per hour.

Integrations & Features

Bookings, payments, CRMs and APIs require configuration and testing — expect additional costs for custom work.

SEO & Local Optimisation

On-page SEO, schema, and local listings add setup time but are critical for traffic. Ongoing SEO is a monthly cost.

Hosting & Maintenance

Reliable hosting and updates are recurring costs. Managed subscriptions often bundle hosting, SSL and backups for one monthly fee.

Who Builds It

Freelancers, agencies and automated services each have different rates and delivery speeds. Hourly vs fixed pricing changes total cost predictability.

PRICING MODELS

How website pricing is structured

Choose the pricing model that matches your appetite for control, support and budget predictability.

Hourly

Good for small tweaks or when scope is undefined. Rates vary widely: $50–$200+/hr depending on expertise.

Less predictable total cost if scope expands.

Fixed Price

Set fee for defined scope. Better for larger, clearly-specified projects. Expect change-order fees for extra work.

Common for agency-built custom sites.

Subscription / Managed

Monthly fee that bundles hosting, updates and support. Predictable cost and fast updates — Congero offers a managed subscription at $49/month.

Great for trades and small businesses who want no fuss updates via text.

COMPARE OPTIONS

DIY vs Freelancer vs Agency vs Congero

Simple comparison to help pick the right route for your budget and time.

DIY Builders

$0–$50/month + templates. Cheap but time-consuming. Good if you enjoy building and maintaining the site yourself.

- Low initial cost
- Learning curve
- Limited SEO & customisation unless you pay

Freelancer

$800–$6,000 one-off. Flexible and cost-effective for small projects; quality varies with experience.

- Personal attention
- May be slower for updates
- Variable support & SLAs

Agency

$4,000–$50,000+. Best for bespoke design, complex integrations and long-term strategy.

- Brand & strategy expertise
- Higher cost & longer timelines
- Retainers often required

Congero (Managed)

$49/month — live in 60 seconds, unlimited updates via text, domain, hosting & local SEO included.

- Predictable monthly cost
- Fast updates and built-in SEO
- No lock-in — cancel anytime

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EXAMPLES

Real pricing examples (typical)

Illustrative cases so you can map the numbers to your business.

Local Plumber — Fast Start

Needs a 5-page brochure site + local SEO.

- Freelancer: $1,200 one-off, 2–3 weeks
- Agency: $3,500+, 4–6 weeks
- Congero: $49/month, live in ~60 seconds, unlimited edits

If leads increase by 10% the Congero subscription often pays for itself in weeks.

Beauty Salon — Bookings & Gallery

Needs booking system, gallery & mobile-first design.

- Freelancer: $2,500–$6,000 (depends on booking plugin)
- Agency: $6,000–$15,000
- Congero: $49/month + plugin fees (if booking integration required)

Consider plugin costs and ongoing subscription for bookings.

E‑commerce Store

Simple store (20 products) vs marketplace-level features.

- Basic store: $6,000–$12,000
- Complex custom store: $25,000+
- Congero: suitable for brochure + simple buy links; full e‑commerce may require bespoke work

Factor inventory, shipping and payment gateway costs into your budget.

SAVE MONEY

How to lower website cost — practical tips

Smart choices that trim cost but keep results strong.

Start with a clear scope — fewer change orders lower total spend.
Use high-quality templates or a managed service to avoid custom design fees.
Provide your own photos and copy where possible.
Bundle hosting, maintenance and updates with a subscription to predict costs.

Prioritise essential features first; add extras later after measuring ROI.
Ask for milestone-based payments and clear delivery timelines.
Compare total cost of ownership: one-off build + monthly maintenance vs managed subscription.

A predictable option: $49/month

Congero bundles domain, hosting, SSL, local SEO and unlimited text-in edits — a low-risk way for trades & small businesses to get a professional site without big upfront fees.

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CHECKLIST

Before you sign a quote

Use this checklist when comparing quotes.

Does the price include hosting, SSL and backups?
Who owns the content and can you export it later?
Are updates included and how fast are they applied?
Is local SEO part of setup or a separate add-on?
What is the timeline and payment schedule?

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about website design cost

Short answers to common pricing questions.

Why do quotes vary so much?

Differences in scope, designer experience, included services (copy, photos, SEO), and whether hosting and maintenance are bundled cause large variance.

Is cheaper always worse?

Not always. A low-cost template plus good content can work well. Beware of hidden fees for updates, poor hosting or no SEO services.

How much should I budget for ongoing costs?

Plan for hosting & maintenance ($10–$100+/month), domain ($10–$30/yr), and optional SEO/ads. Managed subscriptions like Congero bundle many of these for $49/month.

Can I get a website live quickly on a budget?

Yes — managed services and AI-driven platforms can create a professional, SEO-ready site in minutes for a low monthly fee, avoiding large upfront costs.

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