Website development charges vary widely depending on complexity, features and who builds it. Expect anything from free DIY options to custom platforms costing tens of thousands. Below we break down the drivers and show realistic ranges for small businesses in Australia (2025).
Understanding the elements that increase cost helps you make trade-offs and get an accurate quote.
Number of pages, amount of copywriting, photography, gallery items and service pages all add time. Every extra page typically adds to the total cost.
Custom layouts, bespoke brand design, animations and detailed UI increase design hours and therefore price.
E‑commerce, booking systems, CRMs, payment gateways and APIs require development work and ongoing maintenance costs.
Professional copy, on-page SEO, schema markup and local optimisation add specialist fees but drive long‑term value.
Premium hosting, backups, SSL and software updates can be charged monthly or bundled in the initial build.
Agencies usually charge more but provide project management and guarantees. Freelancers can be cheaper but availability varies. AI-driven template solutions (like Congero) offer predictable monthly pricing with unlimited updates.
These ranges reflect Australian small business needs — from simple single-page sites to full e‑commerce stores.
Website builders, templates. Lowest cost but limited customisation and SEO work.
Customised template or small agency build — pages, gallery, forms, basic SEO.
Advanced features, integrations, complex UX and bespoke development.
Instead of a large upfront fee, Congero offers an all-inclusive website for a flat $49/month with hosting, domain, local SEO and unlimited updates.
Use a simple formula to get a ballpark before asking for quotes.
Make a list: pages, forms, booking, e‑commerce, integrations, copywriting, images.
Estimate hours per item (design 8–16h, page build 1–3h, copywriting 1–2h per page).
Multiply hours by hourly rate (freelancer $50–$120/hr, agency $120–$250/hr). Add hosting & monthly maintenance.
Small business site: 10 hours design + 15 hours build + 5 hours copy = 30 hours × $120/hr (avg agency) ≈ $3,600 + hosting & SEO.
Tip: If that sounds high, a Congero site can deliver equivalent marketing pages, local SEO and hosting for a predictable $49/month — great for trades and local services who want a low-cost, high-performance alternative.
Instead of upfront development charges, Congero uses AI to create fast, local‑SEO optimised websites and charges one flat monthly fee. This reduces initial spend and transforms ongoing edits into a simple text message.
All-in $49/month includes domain (or bring your own), hosting, SSL, local SEO and unlimited updates.
Text a change — new price, special offer, images — and the site updates within minutes. No hourly charges for edits.
Designed specifically for busy small businesses (plumbers, electricians, beauticians) who value speed, reliability and local search visibility.
Free demo — no credit card required • Zero lock-in subscription
Realistic examples to help you budget.
Includes service pages, gallery, contact & booking form, basic SEO.
Congero alternative: $49/month with instant launch, local SEO and unlimited updates.
Styling, photo galleries, service menus, and booking system.
Congero alternative: $49/month + integrated booking plugin recommendations.
Product catalogue, payments, shipping, inventory & integrations.
Congero approach: start with a lead-generating storefront plus product pages; scale into full e‑commerce as needed.
If you need a low-cost, fast-to-market solution focused on leads and local search, an AI-managed subscription is often the best value. For complex platforms, expect higher upfront development charges.
Short answers to common pricing questions.
Quotes depend on scope, hourly rates, custom work and whether content or photos are included. Ask for a line‑item quote so you can compare apples-to-apples.
They can be. Hosting, maintenance, updates and marketing are often charged monthly. Congero bundles these into a single $49/month plan so there are no surprise bills.
Yes — priorities, payment terms and phasing features can reduce upfront price. Consider splitting work into MVP (minimum viable product) now and add features later.
Basic on-page SEO is often included. Ongoing SEO services vary widely — expect $200–$2,000/month depending on scope and competitiveness.
No — Google rewards helpful, people-first content. Congero's AI focuses on original, localised content designed to perform in local search results.
See your website built from text in under 60 seconds and get a transparent comparison against traditional development quotes.
TRY THE 60‑SECOND DEMOFree demo • No credit card • Cancel anytime
Get a fully functional, mobile-responsive website live in 60 seconds with Congero's AI-powered process. Learn how it wor...
Read MoreLearn how to select, collaborate with, and maximise ROI from a design agency. This step-by-step guide covers definitions...
Read MoreDiscover affordable small business website design services that deliver professional, mobile-responsive sites with local...
Read MoreLearn how to get an affordable small business website that looks professional, ranks locally and costs just $49/month. S...
Read MoreEnter your name and number and we'll get you started immediately. Get your demo in 60 seconds.
