Website development costs vary widely depending on many factors. A simple DIY site might cost only a few hundred dollars per year (for domain and hosting), whereas a custom, enterprise-grade site can run into the tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Costs depend on site type (blog vs. eCommerce vs. portal), features (design, functionality), development team (DIY, freelancer, agency), and region. For example, SPDLoad’s 2025 cost survey shows basic “template” sites often under ~$1,000, simple business sites around $10k–$20k, medium-complex sites $40k–$100k, and large enterprise platforms $150k+.
In practice, building an online store with all bells and whistles typically starts in the low five figures and can exceed $60k, while a one-page brochure or portfolio site might be in the $5k–$7k range. In this guide, we break down the factors that affect these costs and compare options (DIY builders, freelancers, and agencies) and platforms (WordPress, Wix, and Shopify) so you can budget wisely.
Key Factors Influencing Website Development Cost
Building a website involves multiple cost factors. Major drivers include the type and complexity of the site, the design and functionality required, and the team or tools used to build it. In general, three categories determine price: (1) Website complexity (a simple blog versus a large eCommerce or custom portal), (2) Development team/type (DIY builder, freelancer, or agency), and (3) Geographic location of the developers (which affects hourly rates) 【26†】.
Modern websites range from a few static pages to dynamic platforms with online payments, databases, and custom integrations. A basic site (e.g., a small business brochure or personal blog) might cost only a few thousand dollars, whereas an enterprise site (like a social network or large marketplace) could easily be $100,000+. Aside from scope, additional factors include:
- Design quality and customization: Custom graphics, animations, or branded design raise costs. A premium design or custom UI can add thousands. Conversely, using pre-made templates or themes keeps costs low.
- Features and functionality: E-commerce checkout, user logins, search, booking systems, and API integrations all increase development time. The more complex the features, the higher the development hours and cost.
- Content: Writing copy, creating media (photos, videos), and SEO content can add to the budget. High-quality original content might cost $0–$5,000,+ depending on volume.
- Maintenance and updates: After launch, you’ll need ongoing costs for hosting renewals, security updates, and content changes. Plan for at least $50–$200/year for hosting/domain (more for advanced hosting or add-ons).
Hourly rates also vary greatly by location. As of 2025, U.S. developers commonly charge around $100–$150/hour, while offshore teams (Eastern Europe, India) might be $25–$50/hour. For example, hiring a U.S. agency for 500 hours could cost $50,000–$75,000, whereas an offshore firm might charge ~$15,000–$25,000 for the same work. According to SPDLoad, a simple in-house team costs roughly $500k per year in salaries and overhead, highlighting why many businesses outsource web projects. In summary, site type, features, and provider are the primary cost levers when estimating your 2025 budget.
Cost by Website Type
Different website categories have vastly different price ranges. Below is an overview of common site types and their typical costs (USD):
- Informational / Small Business Sites: These include simple company sites, brochure sites, personal blogs, or small portfolios. Typical cost is $3,000–$8,000 for a professional build, assuming an informational site with 5–15 pages. (Using DIY builders, you could spend far less—mostly just hosting and a few templates.)
- Corporate or Multi-page Business Websites: Larger business sites with more pages (e.g., 20+), custom design, and some advanced features usually run $10,000–$20,000. Sideload specifically estimates a typical corporate website at around ~$10,000, though complex corporate portals can go higher.
- E-commerce Websites: Online stores require shopping carts, product management, and payment integration. Building a basic e-commerce site often costs $20,000–$40,000 for a small-to-medium store. (This fits sites like single-vendor stores.) According to SPDLoad, a more complex or large e-commerce project might be ~$60,000. GoDaddy’s guide likewise notes a “small to medium” online store averages $230–$5,000 if built for you, implying DIY/self-service costs can be much lower, but a full professional build is usually tens of thousands.
- Portfolio / One-Page Sites: A simple landing page, personal portfolio, or one-page site (common for freelancers, artists, event promotions) tends to be relatively inexpensive. SPDLoad cites ~$5,000 for a single landing page and $6,000 for a multi-page portfolio. (GoDaddy suggests $500–$5,000 for a one-page site.) If you use a website builder or template, you might spend only hosting/domain (~$100/yr) plus minor customization.
- Large & Custom Platforms (Enterprise): Feature-rich sites like social networks, marketplaces, educational portals, or large SaaS platforms require extensive development. These often surpass $60,000 and can reach $100,000+. For instance, SPDLoad projects a marketplace site at ~$73k and a social media site around $120k. Similarly, a website like Airbnb or Udemy (with complex features) might run $100k–$150k. If you’re planning a startup-level platform, expect six-figure costs and be prepared to hire multiple developers or an agency.
In short, the simpler the site, the lower the cost. A basic blog or portfolio might only need a few hundred dollars (DIY) up to a few thousand (hiring help). Feature-intensive sites (e.g., e-commerce, social networks) typically cost tens of thousands of dollars due to the extra work involved.
DIY Builders vs. Freelancers vs. Agencies
How you build the site has a major impact on cost. There are three common approaches:
- DIY Website Builders (e.g., Wix, Squarespace, WordPress.com): Using a visual builder means little to no coding. Costs are mostly subscription fees and add-ons. A basic builder plan might be free or around $12–$15/month, with premium plans $20–$50/month. (For example, Wix offers plans starting ~$16–$24/month.) You’ll also pay for a custom domain (~$10–$20/year) and any premium templates or apps (often $0–$70 each). According to a Wix guide, a simple DIY site can cost as little as $16 per month, whereas hiring professionals for a custom site can push total cost beyond $10,000. In other words, a DIY approach minimizes out-of-pocket costs but requires personal time; it’s ideal for blogs, portfolios, or very small businesses. Ongoing costs are limited to the annual plan renewal and the domain.
- Freelancers: Hiring an independent developer or designer tends to be mid-range. You get more customization than a template, but costs remain relatively low compared to agencies. Imagin Ovation reports a freelancer build often ranges from $500 to $5,000, depending on scope. (For example, one developer might charge $50–$100/hour, so a 100-hour project is $5,000–$10,000.) This can cover a simple custom site or adding features to a template. Freelancers are good for small-to-medium projects where you need some coding or design beyond a DIY tool. However, quality varies widely: novice freelancers may charge little but deliver less polish, while experienced freelancers will charge more per hour. Overall, plan on a few thousand dollars for a typical brochure site and perhaps up to $10k for a more complex freelancer-built site.
- Professional Agencies or Firms: Hiring an agency (or assembling an in-house team) is the most expensive option, but it delivers top-tier results and project management. Agencies charge higher rates (often $100–$200+/hour) and bundle design, development, and project management. Imagin Ovation notes that an agency-built site often costs $30,000 to $100,000+. SPDLoad’s survey found that a small to mid-size local agency might bill $15,000–$150,000 just for design/development, plus ongoing maintenance fees. Larger agencies building enterprise platforms can easily exceed $100k. Hiring a local US agency is usually the priciest route – SPDLoad cites roughly $120,000 for a 1000-hour project with a U.S. firm, versus $30,000 if outsourced to freelancers. Agencies also often charge for additional services (SEO, marketing) and support. In summary, agencies are best for mission-critical, large-scale sites where quality and support justify the budget, but they will cost orders of magnitude more than DIY or freelancers.
For a quick cost snapshot, Imaginovation’s cost table is illustrative:
- DIY Website Builders: ~$0–$300 (mostly annual plan fees)
- Freelancer: ~$500–$5,000 (small custom projects)
- Professional Agency: ~$30,000–$100,000+ (full-service builds)
These ranges overlap. For example, a very basic site with a freelancer might be cheaper than a mid-tier website builder plan over a year. But generally, more professional help = higher cost.
Comparing Popular Platforms: WordPress, Wix, Shopify
Your choice of platform also affects cost and flexibility. Here’s how three big names compare:
- WordPresshttps://wordpress.com/ (Self-Hosted): WordPress itself is free open-source software, but you pay for hosting and extras. Basic hosting typically runs ~$30–$150 per year (e.g. $3–$12/month shared hosting). Domain registration is about $10–$15/year. Many themes and plugins are free; premium themes might be $30–$100 each. Thus, a DIY WordPress site can be very cheap – roughly $50–$300/year for hosting/domain plus any premium plugins. However, if you hire developers to build a custom WordPress site, costs rise to the same levels as any custom development (several thousand or more). The advantage is full control and extensibility. (According to HostGator, a basic WordPress build costs about $50–$300+/year in recurring fees.)
- Wix (Website Builder): Wix is an all-in-one hosted builder. It offers free basic hosting, but a custom domain and no ads require a paid plan. Premium plans start around $16–$24/month (billed annually) up to ~$49/month for business/eCommerce tiers. Wix’s plans include hosting, templates, SSL, and a built-in CMS. Additional costs could include premium apps, which range $0–$100/month each. A Wix blog or simple site can be launched quickly and cheaply, but you sacrifice some customization and portability. In terms of yearly cost, expect at least ~$192/year for the lowest paid plan (plus domain if not included). Because Wix includes hosting and security, ongoing costs beyond the plan renewal are minimal. (Notably, Wix’s own guide says their builder can run $0–$200 per month depending on plan.)
- Shopify (eCommerce Platform): Shopify specializes in online stores. Plans (as of 2025) start at $39/month for the Basic Shopify plan (Shopify also offers a $5/month Starter plan for selling on social channels). At $39/month, you get a fully hosted store, but you may add costs for premium themes (~$150–$350 one-time) and Shopify apps (many free, but some $5–$30/month each). There are also payment processing fees (e.g., 2.9% + $0.30 per sale). For example, one cost comparison estimates a lean Shopify store might total ~$100/month when including necessary apps. Larger plans ($105 and $399/month) reduce transaction fees. In short, Shopify’s recurring costs are higher than basic WordPress or Wix, but it provides a turnkey eCommerce setup. If you build on Shopify, budget at least ~$29–$39/month plus the cost of any paid apps or a developer to customize it.
In summary: WordPress + custom host can be cheapest (but requires setup), Wix is middle-of-the-road (easy setup, moderate monthly fee), and Shopify is generally pricier (starts around $39/mo for stores). One quick comparison shows: Shopify Basic at $39/mo, WooCommerce (self-hosted WP) at $0 (just hosting), and Wix at ~$29/mo.
Other platforms (Squarespace, BigCommerce, etc.) have similar tiered pricing, but the patterns hold: DIY builders trade money for time/limitations, self-hosted CMS trades recurring fees for freedom, and specialized solutions (Shopify) cost more for convenience.
Breakdown of Core Expenses
Regardless of approach, a website typically involves certain recurring and one-time costs:
- Domain Name: ~$10–$20 per year for a .com or similar. (Some platforms include one year free.) Unique domains or new extensions can cost more.
- Web Hosting: Shared hosting is cheap (~$3–$10/month), while VPS or dedicated servers start at $20–$80+/month. Expect $30–$150/year for a basic plan. Builders like Wix or Shopify include hosting in the subscription cost.
- Themes & Templates: Many themes are free, but premium ones may cost $30–$100 each. Some custom design work (from designers) is extra.
- Plugins & Apps: Essential plugins for SEO, security, eCommerce, etc. can be free or cost $5–$100+ (often per year).
- Security/SSL: SSL certificates are often free (Let’s Encrypt) or included; premium security plugins or services might add $50–$200/year.
- Development/Design Fees: This is usually the largest chunk. Hiring help adds labor costs (freelancers or agency rates as discussed above).
- Maintenance & Updates: Plan for occasional expenses to update the site. This could be a few hundred dollars per year if you pay someone to update plugins, renew licenses, etc. GoDaddy notes that after initial build, a small biz might spend ~$145–$640/yr on website upkeep (which includes hosting, domain, etc.).
As an example, HostGator outlines the following annual expenses for a DIY WordPress site: Hosting $30–$150, Domain $10–$15, Theme/Design $0–$100, Plugins $0–$100, Security/Maintenance $0–$50. In total, this DIY approach runs roughly $50–$300 per year in direct costs (beyond any development fees you pay a person).
2025 Trends and Considerations
In 2025, some trends and market factors also influence costs:
- Inflation and Labor Rates: As living costs rise, developer rates have ticked up. U.S. freelance web devs often bill $45–$70/hr on average. Offshore rates remain lower (as low as $25/hr). Overall, expect a few percentage points increase in service rates compared to a few years ago.
- AI and No-Code Tools: The proliferation of AI design tools (Wix ADI, ChatGPT code assistants) and no-code platforms may reduce the time needed for simple sites. For example, Wix’s ADI can auto-generate a site, potentially lowering design costs. However, such tools mainly ease simple builds; custom work still costs person-hours.
- Platform Lock-In: Choosing a builder like Wix or Shopify means ongoing subscription costs. Some businesses accept this for ease of use, while others prefer open platforms (like WordPress) to avoid vendor lock-in, even if that means hiring help to customize it.
- Security and Compliance: Enhanced security requirements (SSL, data privacy compliance) are standard. Most professional hosting includes SSL certificates (free), but additional security work (site audits, backups) can add fees if outsourced.
- Mobile & UX: High-quality responsive design and performance optimization are expected. Developers may charge extra for thorough testing on mobile devices, page speed improvements, or advanced user experience (UX) features.
Ultimately, plan your budget based on goals: a personal blog is far cheaper than a national retailer’s site. Always factor in about 10–20% extra for unexpected scope creep or post-launch tweaks.
In conclusion
2025 website development costs span from under $1,000 for simple DIY sites up to $100k+ for complex platforms. Your best approach is to define your needs clearly (type of site, required features, design quality) and choose the right builder or developers to match your budget. Use these guidelines and cited industry benchmarks to set realistic expectations and prepare a complete budget for your new website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What drives the cost of building a website?
The main cost factors are the scope and complexity of the site (number of pages, features needed), the design quality, and who builds it. For example, a 2025 cost guide notes three core factors: the website type (simple vs. complex), the team handling it (DIY, freelancer, agency), and their location【26†】. Extras like custom graphics, eCommerce capability, or API integrations also add to time/cost. As a rule of thumb, a simple informational site is cheapest, while a feature-rich platform costs far more.
How much does an e-commerce (online store) website cost?
E-commerce sites are generally pricier because of shopping carts and payment integration. Industry estimates put a small/medium online store at roughly $20,000–$40,000 to develop. For larger stores (hundreds of products, custom checkout), budgets often exceed $50,000–$60,000. (GoDaddy’s small-store example suggests $230–$5,000 for a basic setup, but a fully custom build by professionals is much more.) In summary, expect a five-figure investment for a robust eCommerce site, with ongoing monthly costs for the platform (e.g., Shopify’s $29+/month) and transaction fees.
Is it cheaper to use a website builder (Wix, Squarespace, etc.) or hire a developer?
Generally, DIY builders have lower upfront costs but trade your time and flexibility. A basic Wix or Squarespace plan can be under $15–$30/month (around $200–$360/year), which is far less than hiring a pro. For example, Wix notes a self-built site might cost ~$16/month, whereas hiring professionals pushes costs beyond $10,000. Hiring a freelancer is cheaper than an agency (often a few thousand dollars), but more expensive than pure DIY. Agencies are the most expensive, usually starting in the tens of thousands. So yes, builders start cheaper, but remember they have limitations (e.g., less customization). Over the long run or for complex sites, a developer’s higher fee can be justified by the advanced features and support.
How much does a basic small business or blog site cost?
A simple informational site (for a small business or blogger) typically costs $3,000–$8,000 for a professionally-built site. This assumes a designer/developer is hired for a handful of pages. However, if you do it yourself (e.g., WordPress or Wix with templates), you could spend as little as $100–$300/year (domain+hosting+template). GoDaddy estimates that a very small business site might only need $145–$640 per year for setup and maintenance. In practice, many small biz owners spend a few hundred to a few thousand dollars on their first site, depending on whether they hire help or DIY.
What are the differences in cost for WordPress, Wix, and Shopify?
Here’s a quick comparison of costs:
WordPress (self-hosted): Platform is free. You pay ~$30–$150/year for hosting and ~$10–$15/year for the domain. Premium themes/plugins (if needed) are usually $30–$100 each. So a basic site can run ~$50–$300/year plus development labor. If hiring a developer, expect $2,000–$10,000+ for a custom build.
Wix: Paid plans are all-in-one. Basic Business plans cost roughly $17–$49/month (billed annually), which covers hosting, SSL, and a custom domain. No separate hosting fees beyond that. In 2025, Wix’s entry-level plan starts around $16/mo, with ecommerce plans ~$23–$49/mo.
Shopify: For an online store, the Basic plan is about $39/month (with 2.9%+30¢ transaction fees). You might also pay for a premium theme (~$150) and essential apps (~$20–$50/month). So monthly costs ~ $39 + apps (say $20) = $60/mo minimum, plus any developer help ($500–$1,000+) if you customize.
In sum, WordPress can have the lowest recurring fees (you can even get cheap hosting), Wix is moderate with convenience, and Shopify is the most expensive per month due to its eCommerce features.
What other costs should I budget for beyond design and development?
Don’t forget the ongoing expenses. Key ones include: domain renewal (~$10–$20/year), hosting renewal (~$30–$150/year unless using a builder, which bundles it), and premium plugins or security tools if any (~$0–$100/year each). Content creation (copywriting, SEO content, product photos) can add $0–$5,000+, depending on volume. Marketing costs (SEO, social ads) might be another budget line (often $0–$150+/month per channel). If you hire someone to maintain the site (updates, backups), that can be a few hundred dollars annually. GoDaddy notes that maintaining a small business site might cost $145–$640 per year, including hosting, domain, and basic support. In short, after launch, plan at least a couple of hundred dollars per year for hosting/domain, plus whatever you choose to spend on marketing or extra tools.
How much does it cost to build a one-page website?
One-page or landing sites are among the cheapest to make. If you hire a pro, expect something like $500–$5,000 total, as GoDaddy suggests. In practice, a very simple one-page promo site could be done for a few hundred dollars (freelancer or DIY), while a high-end custom one-pager with animation might hit the upper end of that range. With a builder (Wix/Squarespace), you could create one yourself for the cost of the platform plan (~$10–$20/month) and a domain.
Can I build a website for free?
Technically, yes – there are free website builders and hosting plans. However, “free” usually comes with limitations. Free builder plans often show ads on your site, do not allow a custom domain (you get a subdomain like yoursite.wix.com), have limited storage, and fewer features. According to GoDaddy, you can start on a free plan, but you’ll eventually need a paid plan ($10–$30/month) to look professional and use a custom domain. For very basic personal sites or prototypes, free plans might suffice initially, but for any serious business use, budgeting for a paid plan is wise.
Is having a website worth the investment for a small business?
Absolutely. A website is often the foundation of a modern business’s online presence. It provides visibility (customers can find you 24/7), credibility (a professional site builds trust), and marketing reach (you can do SEO, content marketing, eCommerce, etc.). The cost of a basic website is relatively small compared to the potential customer growth and revenue it can generate. Even a $500 site can bring in significant leads if well-designed. In fact, GoDaddy emphasizes that modern website builders make creating a site affordable for small businesses. The key is to plan the investment according to your goals: start with a modest site and upgrade it as your business grows and earns revenue.