Whether you’re starting a personal blog, building a landing page for your new startup, or launching a full e-commerce store, one of the first questions that always comes up is::
“How much does it cost to develop a website?”
The short answer? It depends.
The long answer? We’ll break it down for you — simple, honest, and no fluff.
Factors That Influence Website Development Costs
Before we dive into the numbers, let’s take a quick look at what actually goes into the cost of a website:
| Component | Description |
| Type of Website | A simple brochure site is cheaper than a custom e-commerce portal |
| Design Complexity | Custom UI/UX design will cost more than using a pre-built template |
| Functionality | Features like chatbots, booking systems, CRMs, and payment gateways add cost |
| Platform/Technology | WordPress, Shopify, Laravel, React, or custom code—all vary in cost |
| Content Requirements | Copywriting, imagery, SEO content writing may be included or outsourced |
| Maintenance & Hosting | Monthly upkeep, SSL, speed optimization, etc., incur recurring costs |
Types of Websites and Estimated Development Costs
Here’s a ballpark breakdown for 2025, based on typical industry pricing:
| Website Type | Estimated Cost Range (USD) |
| Basic Informational Website (5–7 pages) | $500 – $1,500 |
| Small Business Website (10–15 pages) | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| E-commerce Website | $2,500 – $10,000+ |
| Custom-Built Website / Web App | $5,000 – $25,000+ |
| Landing Page / Funnel Page | $200 – $1,000 |
Note: Prices vary depending on region, freelancer vs. agency, and scope of work.
Key Website Cost Components (and What You Might Miss)
1. Domain Name
- Cost: $10–$25/year
This is your website’s address (e.g., yourbusiness.com).
2. Web Hosting
- Cost: $5–$100/month
Shared, VPS, cloud, or dedicated hosting depending on site size and traffic.
3. Website Design & UI/UX
- Cost: $300–$5,000
Custom designs cost more but are better for branding.
4. Web Development
- Cost: $500–$20,000+
Includes front-end and back-end work, CMS integration, responsiveness, etc.
5. Plugins, Extensions, or Integrations
- Cost: $100–$1,000
Think CRMs, booking tools, payment processors, etc.
6. Content Creation
- Cost: $50–$2,000
Copywriting, blog setup, product descriptions, image optimization, etc.
7. SEO & Performance Optimization
- Cost: $200–$2,000
Technical SEO, speed, mobile-friendliness, schema, etc.
8. Ongoing Maintenance
- Cost: $50–$500/month
Bug fixes, plugin updates, backups, security patches.
Hidden Charges to Watch Out For
- Cheap builders = long-term limits (DIY tools like Wix can cost more in the long run when scaling)
- Scope creep – Adding features mid-project increases cost
- Unoptimized code – Poor development leads to future maintenance costs
- Missing mobile responsiveness – Costs more to fix later
- No SEO setup – Costs you in rankings and visibility
Real-World Scenarios (Use Case Examples)
| Business Type | Project | Estimated Cost |
| Local bakery | 5-page WordPress site with gallery & contact form | $800–$1,200 |
| Startup | Custom React site with blog, SEO, CRM | $5,000–$12,000 |
| Online boutique | Shopify with product pages, payment gateway | $2,500–$5,000 |
| Coaching brand | Funnel landing page with calendar booking | $500–$1,000 |
Tips to Save Without Sacrificing Quality
- Start with MVP (Minimum Viable Product) – You can always scale later
- Use WordPress with premium themes – Offers balance between cost and control
- Work with agencies offering bundled services – Like design + SEO + maintenance
- Negotiate fixed-price packages to avoid hourly cost creep
- Ask for transparent timelines and deliverables
Final Thoughts: So, How Much Should You Expect to Pay?
If you’re just starting out, you could get a functional, branded site up and running for under $1,000 using platforms like WordPress. But if you need e-commerce or a custom app, budgeting $3,000 to $10,000 (or more) is realistic.
Website development is an investment, not just an expense. The right setup can:
- Attract leads
- Build trust
- Automate business processes
- Generate revenue 24/7
Also exploring the cost of starting an online business? Check out our detailed guide on How Much Does It Cost to Start an Online Business.
Need a Website That’s Built to Perform (Without Breaking the Bank)?
At Reliqus, we build websites that look great, load fast, rank well on Google, and help your business grow—without surprises in cost.
Contact us for a free estimate today.