Summary: Website costs range widely. Here are the factors that drive price, typical project types and how to compare quotes fairly.
Asking "how much does a website cost?" is like asking how much a house costs — it depends on size, materials and finishes. Here's how to understand a quote.
What drives website cost
- Number of unique page templates (not just pages)
- Custom design vs. template
- Functionality: booking, ecommerce, member areas, calculators, integrations
- Content: who writes copy and sources images
- Platform: WordPress, Shopify, Webflow or custom code
- SEO and performance requirements
- Ongoing support and hosting
Typical project types
| Project | Typical scope |
|---|---|
| Starter business site | 5–10 pages, template-based design, contact form |
| Custom marketing site | Custom design, 10–30 pages, CMS, SEO setup |
| Ecommerce store | Product catalog, checkout, payments, shipping, integrations |
| Web application | User accounts, dashboards, custom logic, APIs |
Hidden costs to ask about
- Premium plugins, themes or apps
- Hosting, domain and SSL renewals
- Content migration
- Ongoing maintenance and security updates
How to compare quotes
Ask each provider for an itemized scope: page templates, features, number of revisions, timeline, what's included after launch and who owns the code. The cheapest quote often omits essentials like SEO redirects, speed optimization or training.
FAQs
Is WordPress cheaper than custom development?
Usually for content-driven sites. Custom code makes sense for unique functionality or performance needs.
How long does a website take?
Most business websites take 3–8 weeks; complex builds take longer.
Do I own my website?
You should. Confirm ownership of code, design and content in your agreement.
