How Much Does a Website Cost in 2025? (Complete Pricing Guide)
Tired of "it depends" answers? Here's exactly what websites cost in 2025—from basic business sites to custom web applications. No BS, just transparent pricing.
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Get Your Free Quote →"How much does a website cost?" is the first question every business owner asks. And the answer you usually get? "It depends."
While that's technically true, it's not helpful. You need real numbers to budget properly.
After building 200+ websites over 10 years, here's what websites actually cost in 2025—broken down by type, with no hidden fees or surprise charges.
Website Cost Quick Reference
| Website Type | Price Range | Timeline | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Business Website | $3,000 - $10,000 | 3-6 weeks | Small businesses, service providers |
| E-Commerce Store | $10,000 - $50,000 | 8-12 weeks | Online retailers, product businesses |
| Custom Web Application | $25,000 - $100,000+ | 12-24 weeks | SaaS, portals, complex tools |
| Enterprise Solution | $100,000+ | 6-12 months | Large corporations, complex systems |
*Prices based on professional development agencies in the US. Offshore or freelance rates may be lower but come with risks.
Basic Business Website: $3,000 - $10,000
What You Get:
- 5-10 pages (Home, About, Services, Contact, etc.)
- Mobile-responsive design
- Contact form
- Basic SEO setup
- Google Analytics integration
- Social media links
- SSL certificate (security)
- Content management system (CMS)
Price Breakdown:
💡 Best For:
Local businesses, professional services (lawyers, doctors, consultants), contractors, restaurants, and small retail shops that need an online presence but don't sell products directly online.
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Book Free Consultation →E-Commerce Website: $10,000 - $50,000
What You Get:
- Product catalog (50-500 products)
- Shopping cart & checkout
- Payment processing (Stripe, PayPal)
- Inventory management
- Customer accounts
- Order management system
- Shipping integration
- Product search & filtering
- Email notifications
- Analytics & reporting
What Affects E-Commerce Cost:
- 1Number of products:
50 products = lower end. 500+ products = higher end.
- 2Custom features:
Subscriptions, memberships, custom calculators add cost.
- 3Integrations:
ERP, CRM, accounting software, email marketing tools.
- 4Design complexity:
Template customization vs. fully custom design.
💡 Best For:
Online retailers, product-based businesses, brands selling physical or digital goods, subscription services, and businesses ready to scale online sales.
Custom Web Application: $25,000 - $100,000+
What You Get:
Custom web applications are built from scratch to solve specific business problems. Think SaaS platforms, customer portals, booking systems, or internal tools.
- Custom functionality
- User authentication & roles
- Database architecture
- API development
- Third-party integrations
- Admin dashboard
- Security & compliance
- Scalable infrastructure
Examples & Pricing:
Customer Portal ($25K - $50K)
Clients log in to view orders, track shipments, download invoices, submit support tickets.
Timeline: 12-16 weeks
Booking/Scheduling System ($30K - $60K)
Online appointment booking, calendar management, automated reminders, payment processing.
Timeline: 14-18 weeks
SaaS Platform ($50K - $150K+)
Multi-tenant software, subscription billing, feature tiers, analytics dashboard, API.
Timeline: 20-30 weeks
💡 Best For:
Growing businesses with unique processes, SaaS startups, companies needing custom tools, businesses with complex workflows that off-the-shelf software can't handle.
Hidden Costs Most People Miss
⚠️ Don't Get Surprised By These:
The initial website cost is just the beginning. Here's what else you'll need to budget for:
Domain Name
$10-50/yearYour website address (e.g., yourbusiness.com). Renews annually.
Hosting
$20-500/monthWhere your website files live. Shared hosting is cheap but slow. Managed hosting costs more but performs better.
SSL Certificate
$0-200/yearSecurity certificate (the padlock in your browser). Often included with hosting.
Email Hosting
$5-20/user/monthProfessional email addresses (you@yourbusiness.com). Google Workspace or Microsoft 365.
Maintenance & Updates
$100-500/monthSecurity patches, plugin updates, backups, performance monitoring. Critical for security.
Content Updates
$50-200/hourAdding pages, updating copy, uploading blog posts. You can do this yourself or hire help.
SEO & Marketing
$500-5,000/monthOngoing SEO, content creation, Google Ads, social media. Optional but recommended for growth.
💰 First Year Total Cost Example:
- • Website development: $8,000
- • Domain: $15/year
- • Hosting: $50/month = $600/year
- • Email: $12/month = $144/year
- • Maintenance: $200/month = $2,400/year
- = $11,159 first year
How to Get the Best Value
1Know What You Actually Need
Don't pay for features you won't use. Start with essentials and add complexity as you grow. A $3K site that launches is better than a $30K site that never gets built.
2Get Multiple Quotes
Talk to 3-5 agencies. Compare not just price, but what's included, timeline, and post-launch support. Cheapest isn't always best.
3Provide Content Yourself
Writing copy and gathering photos yourself can save $1,000-$3,000. If you don't have time, budget for professional copywriting and photography.
4Think Long-Term
A well-built site that's easy to update will save you thousands over time. Cheap sites often need complete rebuilds within 2-3 years.
5Ask About Ownership
Make sure you own your website, domain, and all files. Some agencies lock you in with proprietary systems. Get this in writing.
Pricing Red Flags to Avoid
🚩 "We'll build your site for $500"
Professional websites take 40-200+ hours. At $500, you're getting a template with your logo slapped on it. Expect poor quality and zero support.
🚩 "Pay monthly forever or lose your site"
Some companies charge $99-$299/month and hold your site hostage. If you stop paying, you lose everything. Always own your website.
🚩 No written contract or scope
If they won't put the deliverables, timeline, and price in writing, run. You'll end up with scope creep and surprise charges.
🚩 "We need 100% upfront"
Standard is 25-50% deposit, rest on completion. Paying 100% upfront removes all your leverage if things go wrong.
🚩 Vague pricing or "it depends"
After discussing your needs, they should give you a detailed quote. If they can't estimate cost, they don't know what they're doing.
The Bottom Line
Website costs vary widely, but now you know what to expect:
- Basic business sites: $3K-$10K
- E-commerce stores: $10K-$50K
- Custom web apps: $25K-$100K+
Plus ongoing costs for hosting ($20-$500/month), maintenance ($100-$500/month), and optional marketing ($500-$5,000/month).
The right investment depends on your goals. A $5K site that generates $50K in revenue is a better investment than a $50K site that sits unused.
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Tell us about your project and we'll provide a detailed proposal with transparent pricing—no hidden fees, no surprises. Get your quote within 24 hours.