“How much does a website cost?” is the first question almost every business owner asks, and the honest answer is: it depends on what the site needs to do. Here’s how to think about it so you can compare quotes properly.
What actually drives the price
- Number of unique page designs. Ten service pages that share one layout cost far less than ten pages that each need their own design.
- Features. Online booking, payments, member areas, multi-language and integrations with your CRM each add time.
- Content. If you have the words and photos ready, the project moves faster. If they need to be written or shot, budget for it.
- Platform. A simple static site, WordPress, Shopify and a custom web app all have different build and running costs.
What you should get at every budget
Whatever you spend, a professional website in 2026 should include these as standard, not as extras:
- Works properly on phones (most of your visitors are on one)
- Loads in under 2–3 seconds
- Basic SEO: page titles, descriptions, sitemap and Google Search Console
- A clear way to contact you on every page
- HTTPS security
- You own the domain, the content and the code
Hidden costs to ask about
- Hosting and domain renewals. Who pays, and how much each year?
- Page-builder or theme subscriptions that you must keep paying to keep the site working.
- Changes after launch. Are small edits included for a period, or billed hourly from day one?
- Ownership. If you leave, do you keep everything? Get this in writing.
Fixed quote or hourly?
For most small business sites, ask for a fixed quote based on a written scope. You know the full cost up front, and the developer carries the risk of underestimating. Hourly billing makes sense for open-ended work like ongoing improvements.
The real question: what is a customer worth?
If one new customer is worth ₹20,000 or $500 to your business, a website that brings in two extra enquiries a month pays for itself quickly. Judge quotes on the enquiries a site will bring in, not just on the price.
Want a fixed quote for your project? Request a free audit and you’ll get honest advice on what you need, and what you don’t.