"How much does a website cost?" is the first question almost every business owner asks - and the honest answer is: it depends. A website is a bit like a building; a small shopfront and a multi-storey office cost very different amounts. Below is a realistic 2026 breakdown so you can budget with confidence.
Typical website price ranges in 2026
- Basic business website (3-6 pages): $500 - $2,500. Ideal for small businesses that need a professional online presence, contact form and mobile-friendly design.
- Custom marketing website (8-20 pages): $2,500 - $8,000. Custom design, copywriting, SEO setup and integrations like booking or CRM.
- Ecommerce store: $3,000 - $15,000+. Product catalog, payments, shipping and inventory. Cost scales with the number of products and custom features.
- Web application / custom platform: $15,000+. Bespoke functionality, user accounts and databases.
What actually drives the price?
1. Design complexity
A template-based site is cheaper than a fully custom design created around your brand. Custom design costs more because it is built to convert your specific audience.
2. Number of pages and content
More pages means more design, more copywriting and more testing. Professional copywriting is often underestimated but has a huge impact on results.
3. Functionality
Booking systems, payment gateways, memberships, multi-language support and API integrations all add development time.
4. SEO and performance
A site built with clean code, fast loading and on-page SEO will cost a little more upfront but pays for itself in search traffic.
Ongoing costs to plan for
- Domain name: ~$10-20 per year.
- Hosting: ~$5-50 per month depending on traffic.
- Maintenance & updates: optional care plans keep your site secure and up to date.
How to get the best value
Cheapest is rarely best value. A slightly higher investment in strategy, custom design and SEO typically returns far more in leads and sales. Ask any agency for a fixed quote, a clear timeline and examples of past work before you commit.
Want a firm number for your project? Tell us what you need and we will send a free, no-obligation quote tailored to your business.
