"How much does a website cost?" is typically the first question we hear. The answer, unfortunately, is "it depends." But that's not helpful. In this guide, we'll break down the real costs of building a website in 2025, avoiding vague answers and giving you concrete numbers.
The 4 Tiers of Website Pricing
Website costs vary wildly based on functionality. We categorize them into four main tiers:
Basic Business Website
Perfect for small businesses, portfolios, and personal brands.
- 5-10 Pages
- Responsive Design
- Contact Form
- Basic SEO
- CMS (WordPress)
Custom Business Website
For established businesses needing unique design and functionality.
- Custom Design
- Advanced SEO
- Fast Performance
- Animations
- Integrations
E-Commerce Store
Online stores for selling products or services.
- Product Management
- Payment Gateway
- Inventory System
- User Accounts
- Security
Web Application / SaaS
Complex software-as-a-service platforms and web apps.
- Full Custom Logic
- Database Design
- API Development
- User Dashboards
- Scalability
1. Basic Business Infrastructure ($500 - $3,000)
This is your digital business card. It typically uses a template on WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace. Great for small local businesses (restaurants, plumbers, consultants) who just need to be "found" online.
Pros: Fast to launch, affordable.
Cons: Generic design, limited scalability, harder to rank for competitive SEO keywords.
2. Custom Business Website ($3,000 - $10,000)
Built from scratch or heavily customized. This is for businesses treating their website as a marketing machine. It includes strategic design, copywriting, speed optimization, and robust SEO foundations.
Typical Tech Stack: Next.js, Custom WordPress, or Webflow.
3. E-Commerce Store ($5,000 - $25,000+)
Selling online changes everything. You need payment gateways, inventory sync, user accounts, and high security. Shopify is the leader here, but complex stores often require custom development (Headless Shopify or WooCommerce).
4. Web Application / SaaS ($15,000+)
This isn't just a website; it's software. Think Airbnb, Uber, or a custom internal dashboard. Costs are driven by logic complexity, not just page count.
Hidden Costs to Watch Out For
- Domain Name: $10 - $20 / year
- Hosting: $10 - $50 / month (Vercel, AWS, WP Engine)
- Maintenance: $50 - $200 / month (Updates, backups, security)
- Premium Plugins/Apps: $20 - $100 / month
Freelancer vs. Agency: Who to Hire?
Freelancers are cheaper ($50-$100/hr) but carry more risk. If they get sick or busy, your project stalls. Great for small, clearly defined tasks.
Agencies cost more ($100-$200/hr) but provide a team (Designer, Developer, Project Manager, QA). They offer reliability and breadth of expertise.
Conclusion: Invest, Don't Spend
A $500 website that generates $0 is an expense. A $10,000 website that generates $100,000 is an investment. In 2025, your website is often the only interaction a customer has with your brand. Make it count.