“How much does it cost to build a website?” It’s a question every business owner, entrepreneur, or creative mind asks when starting their online journey. Is it a few hundred dollars or tens of thousands? The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all—it depends on your needs, goals, and vision. Whether you’re looking for a simple blog, a sleek portfolio, or a full-fledged eCommerce platform, the price tag for building a website varies widely.
This guide will break down the different methods of building your own site: from using website builders to hiring experts, up to the key factors that will affect your website’s cost.
3 Ways To Build a Website
There are three ways to build a website, each with its own set of advantages and costs. Let’s break down each option to help you choose the best path for your website.
Website Builders
A website builder is an easy tool that lets you create a website without needing to code. They come with pre-designed templates that you can easily customize using a drag-and-drop editor. All you have to do is pick a template, add your text and images, and your site is live—the website builder takes care of the hosting for you.
Website builders are great for people who want a quick and affordable website. But the trade-off is that customization is limited. Since you can’t modify the code, it may be harder to add advanced features or integration with a web server as your site grows. It’s a solid choice for small websites but not always the best option for more complex needs.
Initial Setup Costs
- Subscription fees: Monthly or annual fees range from $5 to $50+ per month, depending on the plan and features (e.g., personal, business, or eCommerce).
- Domain name: Often included for the first year but may cost $10 to $20, or more, annually afterward.
- Template selection: Free or premium templates may have one-time costs of $20 to $100.
Ongoing Maintenance Costs
- Subscription renewal: After any promotional period, the renewal fee for your hosting and domain will typically match the regular price, which could be higher than the initial promotional rate.
- Additional features/apps: Some website builders charge extra for advanced functionalities (e.g., email marketing, extra storage, or eCommerce features), typically $5 to $50 per month.
- Domain renewal: Around $10 to $20 annually, or more, if not included in the subscription.
Content Management System (CMS)
If you want more flexibility and scalability for your website, a CMS might be your best option. Most CMS platforms are self-hosted, meaning you need to arrange your own hosting, though some do offer hosted solutions.
Once you’ve installed your CMS and chosen a theme, you can customize the site by adding plugins for things like SEO, eCommerce, or contact forms and manage content through an easy-to-use dashboard. When you’re ready, you can publish your changes with just a few clicks.
A wide range of themes and plugins are available to help you tailor your site to your needs. Plus, large communities around CMS platforms offer plenty of support and resources. It’s a more affordable option than hiring a developer if you’re willing to take care of the setup and maintenance yourself. However, unlike website builders, using a CMS requires some web development knowledge. Plus, custom themes and functionality can add up to your website costs.
Initial Set-up Costs
- Subscription fees: Subscription depends on the type of CMS you use. For self-hosted CMS (WordPress), it’s typically free and you’ll only pay $30-$35 for hosting services and domain name. For SaaS CMS, monthly or annual subscription fees depend on the plans and the features it offers. Price ranges between $20-$100 per month.
- Domain name: Often included for the first year but may cost $10 to $20 annually afterward.
- Template selection: Templates are usually free for CMS platforms, but you may have limited customization options. Premium templates can range between $30 to $200 or more with a more advanced set of features and designs.
Ongoing Maintenance Costs
- Subscription renewal: For self-hosted CMS, the cost ranges between $10-$35 annually, while SaaS CMS ranges from $10-$100 per month, depending on the plan and features.
- Additional features/apps: The cost for plugins or themes can vary, typically from free to $100. Additional fees for premium features or apps can range from a few dollars to $10 per month, depending on the specific feature.
- Domain renewal: Annual fee typically ranges from $10-$15 annually.
Hiring a Professional Web Developer
For a completely tailored website with a polished, professional design, working with a web design expert is your best option. This method gives you the most flexibility and customization, as the developer will either build your site from scratch or modify an existing template to meet your specific needs.
However, this level of customization comes at a high cost, often running into thousands of dollars, depending on the complexity. The process can also take several weeks or even months to complete, and you may rely on the developer for future changes, which can add to ongoing costs.
Initial Set-up Costs
- Subscription fees: The subscription fee depends on the hosting provider, plan, and website traffic. The estimated cost range for this is around $3-$20 per month.
- Domain name: Most providers offer a free domain in your first year. You’ll be paying an annual fee of $10-$15 for the following year.
- Template selection: While a web developer can create a custom template, you can also choose a pre-built template for your website which can either be free or paid. If you choose a premium template to match your brand, the estimated cost for it is around $30-$200.
Ongoing Maintenance Costs
- Subscription renewal: The annual cost for your chosen hosting plan usually ranges from $3-$20 per month, while domain name renewal costs around $10 to $15 per year.
- Additional features/apps: For customized web development, the web developer usually charges an hourly rate or project-based fee. The estimated cost for this ranges between $50 to $200 per hour.
- Additional considerations: For ongoing maintenance, updates, and security patches, you might need to pay a monthly or annual fee ranging from $50 to $200.
For a better visualization, here’s a table for you to have a better understanding of initial costs and ongoing costs for each method:
| Method | Initial costs (inclusion of domain name, hosting, and template) | Ongoing costs (inclusion of domain and hosting renewal, and maintenance updates) |
| Website builders | $40-$200+ | $50-$100 |
| CMS | $50-$500+ | $10-$200 |
| Hiring a web developer | $500-$10,000+ | $25-$500 |
Key Elements of Your Website and Their Costs
Now that you have an idea of the options you have in creating a website and how much each can cost, it’s time to learn the specific elements that should be included in your overall website budget.
Domain Name
A domain name is your website’s unique address on the internet, like www.yourwebsite.com. Think of it as the digital equivalent of your home address; it tells people where to find you online.
The cost of registering a custom domain name typically ranges from $10 up to $30 annually, depending on the domain registrar and the extension you choose (e.g., .com, .org, .net). However, premium domain names—often shorter or more desirable due to their relevance or simplicity—can cost significantly more, ranging from $100 to several thousand dollars, depending on demand and availability.
Web Hosting
Web hosting is the service that stores your website’s data and makes it accessible online. The type of hosting you choose depends on your website’s size, expected traffic, and resource needs, with several options available to fit different requirements and budgets.
Here’s how each type of web hosting cost:
- Shared hosting: This is the most affordable option, where multiple websites share the same server. Costs typically range from $3 to $10 per month.
- VPS hosting: Offers more resources and flexibility for moderate-traffic websites. The cost ranges from $20 to $100 per month.
- Dedicated hosting: Provides dedicated server resources for large, high-traffic websites. Costs typically range from $100 to $500+ per month.
- Managed hosting: A service where the hosting provider manages your server and handles updates and security. This typically costs between $20 to $60 per month.
Content
Your website’s content is an important element of your website. It’s everything from the text on your pages to the images, videos, and blog posts. For smaller sites, you might be able to handle content creation on your own and save some money.
But if you have a more complex site, like an online store or a corporate site, you may want to bring in a professional copywriter. Their services usually cost between $50 and $150 an hour, or around $100 or more per page, depending on how complicated the content gets. At the end of the day, what you’ll pay for content will depend on the scope of your site and the quality of the writing you need.
Security
To keep your website and user data safe, you need a solid security strategy. This typically involves an SSL certificate, which can run $20 to $100+ per year. You’ll also want to prioritize strong passwords, regular software updates, and malware protection. If you’re hosting a complex site, you may need to go beyond the basic security that comes with your hosting plan. This can add $5 to $50 per month to your bill, depending on the tools and services you choose.
Additional Functionalities
Having a website is just the start. To make it stand out, you’ll need to add extra features. These features will help you sell products, bring in more visitors, and keep everything running smoothly. Here are two features to consider:
- eCommerce feature: If you’re planning to sell products or services online, eCommerce tools are essential for managing tasks like product listings, payments, and shipping. Depending on your needs, you can use a platform that does everything for you (these cost between $29 and $299 per month) or add plugins to your website with custom features (these can be free or cost up to $200 per year).
- SEO tools: You want your website to show up when people search online, right? That’s where SEO tools come in. They help you identify the right words to use, see how your website is doing, and track your progress. You can find SEO tools for as little as $10 per month or pay up to $300 per month for more advanced features.
Ongoing Maintenance Costs
Websites aren’t a “set it and forget it” project. They need ongoing maintenance to keep them running smoothly, securely, and up to date. This means doing tasks like updating content, applying security patches, and updating plugins regularly. If you’re comfortable taking care of updates yourself, many hosting services give you the tools to do so, and it can cost anywhere from free to $600 a year. But if you’d rather not deal with the upkeep, you can hire pros to do it for you, and that can cost anywhere from $600 to $6,000 a year.
Here’s a clear visual representation of each element and their cost range:
| Element | Cost range |
| Domain name | $10-$20 |
| Web hosting | $3-$15 |
| Content | DIY: $0; Hiring a content writer: $20-$100 |
| Security | $50-$200 |
| eCommerce feature | $55-$350 |
| SEO tools | $10-$300 |
| Ongoing website maintenance | $25-$100 |
It’s essential to understand the costs of building a website. There are several factors to consider, and by checking out your options, you can create a website that works for you and your budget.
Defining Your Website’s Purpose and Goals
Before you start building your website, you need to nail down why you’re creating one. Figuring out what you want to achieve with your site will make decision-making easier and help you steer clear of costly mistakes and wasted time.
Ask yourself these key questions:
What’s the Purpose of Your Website?
Is your website a blog, a portfolio, or an online store? Defining your website’s purpose will help you determine the features you need, tailor the user experience, and allocate your budget effectively.
Who Is Your Target Audience?
Being able to identify your target audience or target market can help you create an effective website. By understanding their demographics, interests, and behaviors, you can tailor your website’s content and design to effectively engage with your website visitors.
What’s Your Budget?
Do you have a small budget, or can you spend more on advanced features? Setting your budget early will help you decide whether to go with a DIY website builder or hire a designer or developer for a more customized site.
Do you Have the Time and Skills To Build the Website Yourself?
If you’re comfortable with tech and have time, using a website builder could save you money. But if you’re short on time or need something more complex, hiring a professional might be worth the extra cost.
What Features Are Essential for Your Site?
Consider the key features you need, like eCommerce, SEO, or security such as SSL certificate. These features will affect the cost, so focusing on what’s necessary for your website is important. As your website grows, you can add more features to make it more effective and updated.
What’s Your Long-term Plan?
Think about your website’s future. Will you need to add more features or content as it grows? Do you wish to expand and add more products and services? Be sure to include these potential costs in your budget for ongoing maintenance. Thinking ahead and anticipating future needs can ensure that your website remains relevant and effective in the long run.
Take the First Leap in Building Your Website
Building a website is an exciting step towards establishing your online presence. By understanding the factors that could influence website development costs and using the right tools, resources, and platforms, you can create a professional and effective website without overspending.
If you’re looking for a straightforward, cost-effective way to get started, we recommend our partner Web.com. Their all-in-one solution features an AI-powered website builder that helps you create a professional site in minutes—no coding skills required. With customizable templates, built-in hosting, and domain registration, everything you need is in one place. Try it for free and see how it fits your needs before committing.
