Why website quotes vary so much
Two quotes for a “ten-page website” can differ greatly because they include different things: bespoke design versus a template, written content, integrations, performance work and ongoing support.
The right question is not “what does a website cost?” but “what do I need it to do, and what is the lowest-risk way to get there?” Landing pages can start from $399; business sites and stores scale with scope.
- Template versus bespoke design
- Content: written, supplied or migrated
- Functionality and integrations
- SEO and performance requirements
- StrategyStructure and content plan
- DesignUI and UX
- BuildCMS and development
- LaunchQA, SEO, go-live
What drives the price
- 01Page and template count
- Each unique layout needs design and build.
- 02Design customisation
- Bespoke visuals take longer than clean standard layouts.
- 03Features
- Booking, memberships, calculators and portals.
- 04E-commerce
- Catalogue size, payments, shipping and tax.
- 05Integrations
- CRM, email, ERP and analytics.
- 06Content and migration
- Copy, imagery and moving existing pages.
Costs people forget to budget for
- Domain, hosting and SSL renewals
- Premium themes, plugins and licences
- Photography, video and copywriting
- Ongoing maintenance, security and updates
- Marketing and SEO to bring in traffic
- Future changes and new features
Scope levels compared (effort, not price)
| Landing page | Business website | E-commerce store | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical pages | 1 | Roughly 5 to 15 | Catalogue plus content pages |
| Design effort | Low | Medium | Medium to high |
| Integrations | Form and analytics | CRM, email, maps | Payments, shipping, inventory |
| Time to launch | Fastest | Weeks | Longer |
How to keep website cost under control
Frequently asked questions
How much should a small business website cost?
It depends on pages, design and features. Simple landing pages can be very affordable, with our landing pages starting from $399, while multi-page and e-commerce sites cost more.
Is a cheaper website always worse?
Not always, but very low prices often exclude content, SEO, performance work or support. Compare what is included, not just the number.
Why do agencies charge more than freelancers?
Agencies add project management, QA, continuity and support, which affects both cost and risk.
Does the cost include SEO?
Technical SEO foundations should be included; ongoing SEO is a separate effort.