The cost of developing a website, whether using an agency or a freelancer, usually falls between $12,000 to $150,000. However, if you choose to use a website builder, the cost can be anywhere from free to $500 per month. The cost of maintenance is another important factor – professionals usually charge between $400 to $60,000 per year, while website builders offer maintenance for free or up to $5400. Keep reading to learn about different options for the cost of your website!
How Much Does a Website Cost?
See website cost breakdowns in a flash! This table gives you a quick snapshot of website building, maintenance, and marketing expenses. We’ll dive deeper into each cost category later in the article.
| Price Factor | Cost |
| Web Design | $12,000 to $150,000 / design |
| Website Maintenance | $400 to $60,000 / year |
| Website Marketing | $2,500 to $12,000 / month |
| Website Design Services (Agency, Freelancer, or Website Builder) | $0 to $100,000 |
| Website Maintenance Services (Agency, Freelancer, or Website Builder) | $0 to $5,500 / year |
What is the Cost of a Business Website?
Building a business website can vary in cost. A basic website can start at around $2,000 but price can increase if you choose to include fancy features. And the yearly maintenance of a website can range in price from $500 to $50,000.
The total cost will depend on how big and complex your website is. You can find average costs for different types of businesses below to help you get a better understanding.
| Business Type | Web Design Cost | Annual Maintenance Costs |
| Informational or Small Business Website (8-16 pages) | $2,000 – $9,000 | $500 – $1,200 |
| Corporate Website (25-75 pages) | $10,000 – $35,000 | $2,000 – $15,000 |
| Ecommerce Website (100-1000 products) | $5,000 – $55,000 | $15,000 – $30,000 |
| Database Driven Website or Website Application (20-2000 pages) | $6,000 – $75,000 | $30,000 – $60,000 |
How Much Does a Website Builder Charge?
The cost of a website builder for your business (if you choose to use one) will vary based on different factors such as the features and functions you require.
| Website Builder | Cost |
| WordPress | $7 – $59 / month |
| Wix | $23 – $500+ / month |
| Squarespace | $16 – $54 / month |
| GoDaddy | $6.99 – $14.99 / month |
| Weebly | $0 – $26 / month |
| Jimdo | $0 – $39 / month |
Check out the factors that make a website builder more expensive :
| Price Factor | Cost |
| Subscription | $0 – $500 / month |
| Plugins or apps | $0 – $200 / one-time or recurring |
| Themes | $100 – $200 / theme |
| Hosting | $24 – $10,000 / year |
| SSL certificate | $0 – $1,500 / year |
| Marketing (SEO, PPC, etc.) | $50 – $10,000 / month |
Website Cost: Overview
Website Design Cost for 2024
If you want to create a new website or improve your current one, it’s important for your business to think about the costs involved in web design and development.
| Website Element | Cost |
| Domain | $0.95 – $12 |
| SSL Certificate | $0 – $1,500 |
| Hosting | $24 – $10,000 |
| Theme | $2,000 – $15,000 |
| Responsive Design | $3,000 – $25,000 |
| Interactive Multimedia | $250 – $10,000 |
| Content Management System (CMS) | $2,000 – $25,000 |
| Ecommerce Functionality | $2,000 – $25,000 |
| Database Integration | $2,000 – $25,000 |
| Pages(1 to 2500 pages) | $1,000 – $10,000 |
When it comes to creating a website, there are three main choices: freelancers, website builders, or web design agencies. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages, as well as different costs. Usually, businesses prefer to hire either a freelance web designer or a web design agency to create a professional website.
Well, even though DIY(do-it-yourself) website builders like Wix or Squarespace are easy to use, they still require some design skills. This means that using them without design experience might not ensure a website that is user-friendly, which is important for generating sales or inquiries.
| Web Development Options | Costs |
| freelancer | $500 – $5,000 |
| website builders | $0 – $300 |
| Web Design Agency | $3,000 – $100,000 |
Website Maintenance Costs for 2024
Regular upkeep is vital for keeping your website operational; neglecting maintenance could result in downtime. This is why businesses should consider not just the initial cost of building a website, but also the ongoing expenses associated with maintaining it.
| Element | Maintenance Cost |
| Domain | $2 – $20 / year |
| SSL Certificate | $0 – $1,500 / year |
| Website Hosting | $24 – $10,000 / year |
| Content Management System(CMS) | $0 – $40,000 / year |
| Ecommerce Functionality | $180 – $300 / year |
| Website Maintenance | $200 – $1,250 / year |
| Freelancer, Agency or Website Builder | $0 – $5,400 / year |
Monthly & Annual Website Costs
The monthly costs for your website can be anywhere from $35 to $5000. These prices may change from month to month, and some providers may ask you to pay for the whole year in advance.
In a year, you can expect to spend between $400 and $60,000. It’s important to remember that one-time expenses, such as changing your logo or updating important pages, can increase your yearly maintenance costs.
Price difference between freelancers, website builders, and web design agencies :
| Options | Cost |
| Website Builder | $0 – $25 / month |
| Freelancer | $50 – $100 / hour |
| Web Design Agency | $119 – $449 / month |
Website Marketing Cost for 2024
In the modern world of e-commerce, it has become extremely important for businesses to allocate resources towards digital marketing. This field encompasses various online strategies that enhance your online presence, leading to increased website traffic, customer engagement, and ultimately, higher profits.
| Website Marketing Options | Cost |
| SEO | $1,500 – $5,000 / month |
| PPC | $9,000 – $10,000 / month |
| Content Marketing | $2000 – $10,000 / month |
| Professional Copywriting | $50 – $500 / page |
| Social Media Marketing & Advertising | $4,000 – $7,000 / month |
| Email Marketing | $9 – $1,000 / month |
Factors Influencing Website Expenses
Let’s dive into the various factors that influence the cost of creating and designing a website.
Domain ($0.95 – $12 per domain)
A domain name is the web address that users type into their browser to visit a website. It serves as the online identity of a business, organization, or individual on the internet.
Domain names matter because they play a crucial role in establishing brand credibility, visibility, and recognition online. A memorable and relevant domain name can help attract visitors to your website. Additionally, having a unique domain name can set you apart from competitors and build trust with your audience.
Some popular domain name providers include:
- GoDaddy
- Namecheap
- Bluehost
- HostGator
- Google Domains
SSL Certificate ($0 – $1500 per certificate)
An SSL certificate is a special digital certificate that verifies a website’s identity and keeps information safe when it’s sent between a user’s web browser and the website’s server. This certificate makes sure that important data like usernames, passwords, and payment details stay private and protected.
When a website has a valid SSL certificate, the website URL will show as “https” instead of “http.” You will also notice a padlock icon to the right of the URL.
Some companies that provide SSL certificates include :
- Comodo SSL
- Symantec SSL
- DigiCert
- GeoTrust
- RapidSSL, etc.
Website Hosting ($24 – $24,000 Per Year)
Website hosting is a service that allows individuals and organizations to make their websites accessible via the World Wide Web. Essentially, hosting providers allocate space on servers to store website files and data, ensuring that the site remains live and functional for visitors at all times.
Website hosting matters for several reasons. The quality of hosting services directly impacts website performance, speed, uptime, security, and overall user experience. Choosing a reliable hosting provider ensures that your website loads quickly, remains accessible 24/7 without downtime, is secure from cyber threats, and can handle traffic spikes effectively.
Some popular hosting companies include :
- Bluehost,
- SiteGround,
- HostGator,
- DreamHost,
- A2 Hosting.
Each provider offers different features such as shared hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated servers, managed WordPress hosting, customer support options, uptime guarantees, scalability options for growing websites, and more to meet diverse website requirements.
Style or Theme ($2,000 – $15,000)
Style or theme: The different design elements on your website work together to make it visually appealing.
What is web design?
Web design is all about how your website looks and how easy it is for people to use. It’s really important because it affects how much your website costs and how well it performs.
The way your website looks can make a big difference in what people think of it and how well it shows up in search engine results. When people visit a website, they make up their minds about it within the first few seconds.
If the design is old-fashioned or confusing, people might leave and think badly of your brand. Search engines also prefer websites that are well-designed and work well, because they want to give users a good experience.
The cost of web design can vary a lot, from $2000 to $15,000, depending on how complex it is. Less complicated designs can be cheaper, but it’s important to make sure your website meets the expectations of the people you are trying to reach.
Responsive Design ($3,000 – $25,000)
Responsive design is an approach to web design that ensures a website can adapt and display optimally on various devices and screen sizes, such as desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones. It involves creating a seamless user experience by adjusting the layout, content, and functionality of a website.
Responsive design matters for several reasons:
-It improves user experience by ensuring that visitors can easily navigate and interact with a website on any device, leading to increased engagement and conversions.
-Responsive design enhances search engine optimization (SEO) efforts since search engines like Google prioritize mobile-friendly websites in search results.
-Having a responsive design future-proofs your website by accommodating new devices and screen sizes as technology evolves, ensuring longevity and usability.
How much does responsive design cost?
There are two options for companies and business owners:
Option 1: Responsive design – This design automatically adjusts the website to fit the device being used, such as a laptop, tablet, desktop, or mobile device. It typically costs around $3000.
Option 2: Separate mobile site – This option involves creating a separate version of the website specifically for mobile and tablet users. However, this option can be more expensive, ranging from $5000 to $25,000.
Website Pages ($1,000 – $10,000)
Typically, web designers and web design agencies will adjust their pricing based on the number of pages required for a website:
For 1 to 10 pages, the cost ranges from $1,000 to $2,000.
For 10 to 50 pages, the cost ranges from $2,000 to $3,000.
For 50 to 150 pages, the cost ranges from $3,000 to $6,500.
For 150 to 250 pages, the cost ranges from $6,500 to $10,000.
If you are redesigning your current website or creating a new one, your web design team can assist in determining the appropriate number of pages needed. By accurately estimating the page count, designers can develop a user-friendly and visually appealing layout for your site.
Interactive Media ($250 – $10,000)
Interactive media includes things like video games, apps that use augmented reality, and websites that let users participate in the experience. This is important because it helps users get more involved and engaged. It also allows for personalized experiences and lets the people who make the content communicate with the people who use it.
Interactive media can create environments that make users feel like they’re really a part of what’s happening, which can make them more likely to stick around, be loyal to a brand, and be happy with their experience.
Content Management System ($2,000 – $25,000)
CMS stands for Content Management System. It is a software application used to create, edit, manage, and publish digital content on websites without requiring coding knowledge.
Examples of popular CMS platforms include :
- WordPress
- Joomla
- Hubspot
- Magento (for e-commerce)
- Shopify (for e-commerce)
- Wix
These platforms offer various features such as templates, plugins, themes, and user-friendly interfaces to help individuals and organizations effectively manage their online content, whether it’s a blog, an e-commerce site, or a corporate website.
Ecommerce Functionality ($2,000 – $25,000)
Ecommerce functionality involves various tasks, such as:
- Setting up a system for processing payments
- Installing gateways for receiving payments
- Testing shopping carts, payment methods, and shipping systems
- Publishing products pages
E-commerce functionality matters as it enables businesses to sell products or services online, reaching a global audience 24/7. It provides convenience for customers to browse, select, and purchase items from anywhere at any time. E-commerce functionality also allows businesses to manage inventory, process payments securely, track orders, analyze customer data for personalized marketing, and scale their operations efficiently.
Cost for ecommerce functionality depends on :
- Size of the product line
- Average number of orders (daily, monthly, and annual)
- Size of business
Database Integration ($2,000 – $25,000)
Database integration is the act of linking different databases or systems so they can function together smoothly.
This is important because it allows for data to be stored in one central location, ensuring that the information is consistent and accurate. It also makes it easier to access data across different applications and platforms.
By integrating databases, it becomes simpler to handle and analyze data, make quicker decisions based on up-to-date information, improve teamwork, and increase overall efficiency in operations.
Website Maintenance Costs
The cost of maintaining a website can range from $400 to $60,000 per year on average. If you’re curious about what factors contribute to these costs, continue reading:
Domain ($2 – $20 / Year)
Once you have purchased your personalized domain name for your company, it is important to remember that you need to renew this purchase annually.
Neglecting to pay for the maintenance of your website can result in losing access to your domain, and the ownership of the domain name will go back to the registrar.
SSL Certificate ($10 – $1,500 / Year)
Your SSL certificate is another website maintenance costs. You need to buy an SSL certificate for your website, to protect it from potential data breach. You also have to renew the certificate every year. Without an SSL certificate, your website may look unsafe to users and internet browsers.
Website Hosting ($24 – $10,000 / Year)
To ensure that your website is easily accessible, you will need to invest in website hosting. There are different hosting plans available from providers, ranging from more affordable shared servers to more expensive dedicated ones.
The costs of hosting can vary greatly, from $24 to $10,000 per year, depending on the plan you select.
The amount of traffic your website receives determines the type of server you need, which in turn impacts the expenses for hosting. If your site has over 100,000 monthly visitors, you can expect to pay up to $10,000 per year for a dedicated server.
Ecommerce Functionality ($180 – $300 / Year)
If your company runs an online business, having ecommerce features on your website is something you absolutely need to spend money on to keep it running smoothly. To keep increasing your sales and making more money, your business must have a secure and reliable payment system.
Content Management System ($0 – $40,000 / Year)
If your company decided to use a CMS, there might be some expenses involved. While some platforms such as WordPress and Joomla are free, others like HubSpot require a monthly or yearly payment. These CMS applications also offer extra features, like an SSL certificate.
Website Maintenance ($200 – $1,250 / Year)
Typically, you should anticipate spending between $200 and $1250 each year to maintain your website. However, there might be instances where your expenses go beyond this range. For instance, if your website needs urgent assistance outside normal working hours, you might face increased charges.
Website Marketing Cost
Find out more about the specific expenses involved in marketing your website :
SEO ($1500 – $5,000 / Month)
SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is the practice of optimizing your website to improve its visibility and ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs). By optimizing factors like keywords, content quality, and website structure, SEO helps attract more organic (unpaid) traffic to your site from search engines like Google.
Typically, businesses invest around $1500 to $5000 every month on SEO, whether they handle it themselves or hire an SEO agency. Certain companies may spend more than this average, particularly if they operate in a highly competitive field or want to pursue a bold marketing strategy.
Learn more about SEO : SEO For Startups: The Ultimate Guide To Organic Growth
PPC ($300 – $100 million / Month)
PPC, or Pay-Per-Click, is an advertising method used online. It works like this: advertisers pay a fee whenever someone clicks on their ad. This kind of advertising is done through search engines, where businesses can bid for their ad to appear in sponsored links when someone searches for a keyword related to their products or services.
PPC is important because it helps businesses connect with potential customers who are actively searching for what they offer. By showing ads to these specific people, businesses have a better chance of getting more customers and making more money compared to traditional advertising methods.
Professional Copywriting ($50 – $500 / Page)
Professional copywriting is all about creating content that represents your brand on your website. It can also involve making content that is optimized for search engine optimization (SEO), which is why lots of businesses team up with a digital marketing agency that offers a wide range of services.
The cost of professional copywriting depends on few factors :
- Page topic
- Page word count
- Page deadline
If your company is in a technical and complex industry, you should anticipate paying a higher price for professional copywriting because it requires specialized knowledge and skills.
Content Marketing ($2,000 – $10,000 / Month)
In content marketing, your company’s main goal is to create valuable and helpful information for the people you want to reach. This information can be tailored to those who are just starting to explore your products or services, as well as those who are ready to make a purchase. By answering their questions, gaining their trust, and showing them the way to buy, you can effectively promote your business.
For instance, your company might regularly post blogs, create online guides, or design infographics to share with your audience.
Content marketing is better than traditional marketing because it brings in three times more leads.
Social Media Marketing and Advertising ($4,000 – $7,000 / Month)
Social media marketing and advertising involve using social media platforms to promote products, services, or brands. It includes creating and sharing content, engaging with users, running paid advertising campaigns, and analyzing results to achieve marketing goals.
It matters because social media platforms have billions of active users worldwide, offering businesses a vast audience to connect with. With social media marketing and advertising, businesses can increase brand awareness, drive website traffic, generate leads, and boost sales.
Email Marketing ($9 – $1,000 / Month)
Email marketing is a digital marketing strategy that involves sending commercial messages to a group of people via email.
These messages typically include promotions, product announcements, newsletters, or updates intended to engage subscribers, build relationships, and drive sales or conversions.
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