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"How much does a website cost?" is the first question most business owners ask, and the honest answer is "it depends". That answer is only useful if you know what it depends on. Once you do, quotes from different agencies become much easier to compare.
The six things that move the price
Almost every quote is built from the same ingredients. If two quotes differ a lot, one of these is usually the reason.
- Number of pages. A five-page site and a fifty-page site are different projects, because every page needs design, content and testing.
- Custom design or a template. A designer working from a blank page costs more than adapting a ready-made theme. You are paying for a layout built around your brand and your customers.
- Features. A contact form is simple. Online booking, a customer login, payments or a product catalogue each add design and development work.
- Content. Someone has to write the text and prepare the photos. If you supply it, the project is cheaper. If the agency writes it, it is a separate line item.
- Integrations. Connecting a CRM, an email tool, a payment gateway or a booking system takes time to build and test.
- Search and performance setup. Page titles, structured data, image optimisation and speed work can be included or left out.
The costs that come after launch
A quote for the build is not the whole cost of owning a website. Plan for these as well:
- Domain name and hosting, which are paid every year.
- Updates and security patches, especially if you use a content management system.
- New content, such as blog posts, offers and photos.
- Support, for the day something breaks or you need a change.
Hosting prices vary a lot, and many providers advertise a low first-term price that rises at renewal, so compare the renewal price too. Our own site runs on Hostinger, and we are an affiliate partner, which means we may earn a commission if you sign up through that link, at no extra cost to you. It is one option among several, and we explain what to compare in a later article.
Ask every agency what is included in the first month or two after launch, and what it costs after that. A clear answer is a good sign.
How to read a quote
A useful quote lists what you receive, not just a total. Look for the number of pages, the features, how many rounds of revisions are included, who owns the files and the domain at the end, and what is not included. If a quote is one line with one number, ask for the detail before comparing it with anything else.
Questions worth asking before you agree
- Is this a fixed price, or an estimate that can grow?
- What happens if I want a change halfway through?
- Will the site work well on phones, and how do you test that?
- Can I edit the text and images myself afterwards?
- Do I own the design files, the code and the domain when we finish?
Choosing a budget that makes sense
The right budget is the one that fits what the website needs to do for your business. A site that brings in even a few good enquiries a month can justify a more careful build. A simple brochure site for a new business does not need to be elaborate. Start with the goal, then work out the smallest site that achieves it.
We publish starting prices on our web design and web development pages so you can compare before you talk to anyone. If you want a fixed quote for your own project, you can book a free discovery call and describe what you need.