You've decided your business needs a website. Or maybe you need to replace that outdated one from 2015. Either way, you start Googling prices and suddenly you're seeing numbers ranging from $200 to $35,000

What gives?

Web design pricing is all over the map. And honestly, it makes sense once you understand what's behind those numbers. The real question isn't "what does a website cost" but rather "what does the right website for my business cost"

Let's break it down so you can make a smart decision without overspending or cutting corners where it matters

Why Web Design Prices Vary So Much

Think about it like buying a car. You could get a used sedan for $5,000 or a brand-new luxury SUV for $80,000. Both get you from point A to point B. But the experience, reliability, and features are completely different

Web design works the same way

The price depends on:

• Who builds it (you, a freelancer, or an agency)
• How complex your site needs to be
• What features and functionality you require
• How custom you want the design
• Whether you need ongoing support

A five-page brochure site is a different beast than a 50-page e-commerce store with inventory management, booking systems, and custom integrations

The Three Main Options for Building Your Site

Option 1: DIY Website Builders

Cost: $100–$600 per year

Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and basic WordPress themes let you build your own site. You'll pay around $20–$50 per month for the platform plus your domain name

Pros:

• Cheapest upfront investment
• You control everything
• Good for testing a business idea before going all-in

Cons:

• Limited customization
• Your site looks like thousands of others
• You spend hours figuring things out instead of running your business
• Often lacking in SEO fundamentals

This works if you're a solopreneur just starting out and you're comfortable with technology. But most business owners find they outgrow these platforms fast

Option 2: Freelance Designers

Cost: $1,500–$8,000 (one-time)

Hiring a freelancer gets you a more polished, custom result. Freelancers typically charge $75–$150 per hour, and a simple 5–10 page site runs $2,000–$8,000 depending on complexity

Pros:

• More professional result than DIY
• Personalized attention
• Usually more affordable than agencies

Cons:

• Quality varies wildly
• Limited availability (they're often juggling multiple clients)
• May lack expertise in areas like SEO or security
• If they disappear, you're stuck

Freelancers can be great for straightforward projects. Just make sure you vet their portfolio and ask about their process before committing

Option 3: Web Design Agencies

Cost: $6,000–$15,000+ (one-time)

Agencies bring a full team to the table: designers, developers, copywriters, SEO specialists, and project managers. You're paying for expertise across multiple disciplines

Pros:

• Comprehensive, professional result
• Strategic approach (not just pretty pictures)
• Ongoing support and maintenance options
• Built with growth in mind

Cons:

• Higher upfront investment
• May be overkill for very simple projects

For businesses that rely on their website to generate leads or sales, an agency typically delivers the best return on investment. The site gets built right the first time, which saves money on fixes and redesigns later

At WorldWise, we take a strategic approach to web design that considers your business goals, target audience, and growth plans: not just aesthetics

What You Actually Get at Different Price Points

Let's get specific about what your money buys

$1,000–$4,000: Starter Brochure Site

• 5–8 pages (Home, About, Services, Contact, etc.)
• Template-based design with some customization
• Basic contact form
• Mobile-responsive layout
• Minimal SEO setup

This works for businesses that just need an online presence. Think of it as a digital business card

$4,000–$8,000: Small Business Standard

• 10–20 pages
• Custom design elements
• Blog functionality
• Basic e-commerce (up to 20 products)
• On-page SEO optimization
• Google Analytics integration
• Social media integration

This is where most small businesses land. You get a professional site that can actually help grow your business

$8,000–$15,000+: Growth-Focused Website

• 20+ pages
• Fully custom design
• Advanced e-commerce with inventory management
• Booking or scheduling systems
• CRM integrations
• Advanced SEO strategy
• Content management training
• Ongoing maintenance plans available

If your website is a core part of your business model: generating leads, processing orders, booking appointments: this level of investment usually pays for itself

Hidden Costs to Watch For

Here's where a lot of business owners get surprised. The quoted price often doesn't include everything

Budget an extra 10–20% for:

• Domain registration: $10–$50 per year
• Hosting: $100–$500 per year depending on traffic and speed needs
• SSL certificate: Often included with hosting, but sometimes $50–$200 per year
• Premium plugins or tools: $50–$300 per year each
• Stock photography: $100–$500 for professional images
• Professional email: $5–$12 per user per month
• Ongoing maintenance: $50–$300 per month or $600–$3,000 annually

Always ask what's included in the quote and what will be billed separately. A $5,000 quote that includes hosting, maintenance, and premium tools might actually be a better deal than a $4,000 quote that doesn't

How to Decide What's Right for Your Business

Forget about what your competitor spent or what some article says is "average." Focus on these three factors:

1. How Important Is Your Website to Revenue?

If customers find you through your website, book services through your website, or buy products through your website: invest accordingly. A cheap site that doesn't convert costs more in lost business than a quality site ever would

If your website is mostly informational and most business comes through referrals or other channels, a simpler site might be fine

2. What's Your Technical Comfort Level?

Be honest with yourself. If you're going to spend 20 hours wrestling with a website builder instead of serving customers, that "free" site is costing you real money

Your time has value. Sometimes paying more upfront saves money overall

3. What Features Do You Actually Need?

Make a list before you talk to anyone. Do you need:

• Online scheduling or booking?
• E-commerce functionality?
• A blog for content marketing?
• Integration with your CRM or email marketing?
• A customer portal or membership area?
• Multi-language support?

The more complex your needs, the more you should lean toward experienced professionals who've built similar functionality before

The Bottom Line

Most small businesses spend between $3,000 and $10,000 on a professional website that actually serves their business goals. That's a reasonable range for something that works 24/7 to represent your brand and generate business

Spending less often means spending twice: once on the cheap version, then again when you need to fix or replace it. Spending more isn't always necessary unless you have complex requirements

The smartest approach? Start with your business goals, figure out what features you need to achieve them, then find the right partner to make it happen

If you're ready to talk through what your business actually needs, get in touch with WorldWise. We'll give you straight answers about scope, timeline, and investment: no pressure, no jargon