How Much Does a Website Really Cost? Complete Pricing Breakdown

Why Website Costs Vary So Dramatically

If you've been researching website costs, you've probably seen quotes ranging from $100 to $100,000 and wondered if you're comparing apples to apples. The reality is, you're not. Website pricing varies based on several critical factors:

• Complexity and Features: A 5-page brochure site costs dramatically less than a custom e-commerce platform with 1,000+ products, user accounts, and payment processing.
• Design Quality: Template-based designs are cheap or free, while custom designs from experienced designers can cost $5,000-$50,000+.
• Development Approach: Drag-and-drop builders require no coding (cheap), while custom development requires skilled engineers (expensive).
• Content Creation: Using stock photos and writing your own copy costs nothing, while professional photography and copywriting add thousands to the budget.
• Ongoing Maintenance: Some platforms include hosting and updates in monthly fees, while others require separate maintenance contracts.
• Timeline: Rush projects often cost 25-50% more than standard timelines.

The key to understanding website costs is recognizing that you're not just paying for a website—you're paying for the entire ecosystem that supports it: design, development, content, hosting, security, maintenance, and ongoing optimization. Let's break down exactly what each approach costs and what you get for your investment.

Website Cost Overview: At a Glance

Before diving into the details, here's a quick overview of what you can expect to pay for different types of websites in 2025:

Now let's dive deep into each category to understand exactly what you're paying for and what value you receive at each price point.

Website Builder Platforms: $12 - $49/month

Website builders like Wix, Squarespace, and Webflow represent the most affordable entry point for establishing an online presence. These platforms are designed for non-technical users who want to build and manage their own websites without hiring developers.

Wix Pricing Breakdown

Wix is one of the most popular drag-and-drop website builders, offering several pricing tiers:

Squarespace Pricing

Squarespace is known for beautiful templates and is particularly popular among creatives and small businesses:

• Personal Plan ($16/month): Basic website with SSL security and unlimited bandwidth
• Business Plan ($23/month): Professional email, $100 Google Ads credit, advanced analytics
• Commerce Basic ($27/month): Sell unlimited products, integrated payments, customer accounts
• Commerce Advanced ($49/month): Advanced shipping, subscriptions, abandoned cart recovery

Webflow Pricing

Webflow offers more design flexibility and is popular among designers and agencies:

• Basic Plan ($14/month): Custom domain, 500 monthly visits, basic SEO controls
• CMS Plan ($23/month): 2,000 CMS items, 3 content editors, full SEO controls
• Business Plan ($39/month): 100,000 monthly visits, advanced SEO, site search
• Enterprise (Custom): Unlimited everything, dedicated support, custom contracts

What You Get with Website Builders

Website builders are attractive because they bundle everything you need into one monthly payment:

• Hosting Included: No need to purchase separate hosting or worry about server maintenance
• SSL Certificate: Free HTTPS encryption for security and SEO
• Template Library: Hundreds of pre-designed templates to choose from
• Drag-and-Drop Editor: Build pages visually without coding knowledge
• Mobile Responsiveness: Templates automatically adapt to mobile devices
• Basic SEO Tools: Edit meta titles, descriptions, and alt text
• Contact Forms: Built-in form builders for lead capture
• Customer Support: Help documentation and support tickets included

Limitations to Consider

While website builders are affordable, they come with significant constraints:

• Limited Customization: You're constrained by the platform's capabilities and can't add custom functionality
• Template Restrictions: Difficult to achieve truly unique designs that stand out
• Platform Lock-in: Your website can't be easily migrated to another platform
• Performance Issues: Templates often load slower due to bloated code
• Scalability Concerns: May not handle high traffic or complex features as you grow
• SEO Limitations: Less control over technical SEO compared to custom solutions

Bottom line: Website builders work well for solopreneurs, very small businesses, portfolios, and simple informational sites. If you need advanced features, better performance, or a truly unique design, you'll need to look at more sophisticated options.

WordPress Websites: $500 - $15,000

WordPress powers over 43% of all websites globally, making it the world's most popular content management system. WordPress development offers incredible flexibility, from simple template-based sites to fully custom solutions.

Template-Based WordPress Sites: $500 - $3,000

These sites use pre-built themes with minor customization:

What you get: A professional-looking website based on a premium theme, customized with your branding, content, and images. Includes essential plugins for contact forms, SEO, security, and performance optimization. Suitable for small businesses, service providers, and content creators who need more control than website builders offer.

Custom WordPress Sites: $3,000 - $15,000

Custom WordPress development involves building unique designs and functionality tailored to your specific needs:

What you get: A completely unique website designed specifically for your brand and business goals. Custom post types, advanced functionality, integrations with third-party services, comprehensive SEO optimization, and ongoing support. Perfect for established businesses, content-heavy sites, membership platforms, and organizations that need specific features.

Ongoing WordPress Costs

Beyond the initial development, WordPress sites require ongoing maintenance:

• Managed Hosting ($20 - $150/month): Kinsta, WP Engine, or Flywheel provide optimized WordPress hosting with automatic backups and security
• Plugin Licenses ($100 - $400/year): Premium plugins for SEO, security, forms, and other functionality require annual renewals
• Maintenance & Updates ($50 - $200/month): Regular updates, security patches, backups, and troubleshooting
• Content Updates ($50 - $150/hour): If you need help adding or modifying content

Learn more about keeping your WordPress site running smoothly with our website maintenance services.

Shopify E-Commerce Websites: $2,000 - $25,000

If you're selling products online, Shopify is one of the most popular e-commerce platforms. The total cost depends on how much customization you need and how many products you're selling.

Shopify Monthly Platform Fees

First, understand Shopify's pricing structure:

Important: Shopify also charges transaction fees (0.5% - 2.0% depending on your plan) unless you use Shopify Payments. Credit card processing fees range from 2.4% + 30¢ to 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction.

Template Shopify Store: $2,000 - $5,000

A basic Shopify store using a theme from the Shopify Theme Store:

• Shopify Theme ($0 - $350): Free themes are available, but premium themes offer more features and better design
• Theme Customization ($500 - $2,000): Adjusting colors, fonts, layout, and adding your branding
• Product Setup ($500 - $2,000): Uploading products, writing descriptions, organizing collections
• Essential Apps ($30 - $100/month): Email marketing, reviews, abandoned cart recovery, SEO tools
• Payment Gateway Setup: Configuring payment processing and shipping options
• Training: Learning how to manage products, orders, and customers

Best for: Small online stores with 10-100 products, straightforward shipping needs, and limited customization requirements.

Custom Shopify Store: $10,000 - $25,000

A fully custom Shopify store with unique design and advanced functionality:

What you get: A professionally designed e-commerce experience optimized for conversions. Custom product pages, advanced filtering, personalized recommendations, custom checkout flows, integration with your inventory system, and comprehensive analytics setup.

For more details on building a successful online store, explore our e-commerce development services.

Ongoing Shopify Costs

Running a Shopify store involves recurring expenses:

• Platform Fees: $39 - $399/month depending on your plan
• Transaction Fees: 0.5% - 2.0% unless using Shopify Payments
• Payment Processing: 2.4% - 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction
• Apps & Plugins: $50 - $300/month for essential functionality
• Marketing: Budget for ads, email marketing, and promotions
• Maintenance: $100 - $500/month for updates and support

Custom React/Next.js Websites: $15,000 - $75,000

If you need cutting-edge performance, advanced interactivity, or are building a web application, custom React/Next.js development is the gold standard. This is what we specialize in at Verlua, and it's what this very website is built with.

Why Custom React/Next.js?

Modern JavaScript frameworks like React and Next.js offer significant advantages over traditional CMS platforms:

• Blazing Fast Performance: Server-side rendering and code splitting deliver sub-second page loads
• Superior SEO: Next.js provides excellent SEO capabilities out of the box
• Exceptional User Experience: Smooth animations, instant page transitions, and app-like interactions
• Infinite Scalability: Handles millions of visitors without breaking a sweat
• Modern Development: Built with the latest web technologies and best practices
• Headless CMS Integration: Combine with Contentful, Sanity, or other headless CMS for easy content management

What Does Custom Development Cost?

Custom React/Next.js development is a significant investment because you're getting enterprise-grade quality:

Who Needs Custom React/Next.js Development?

This level of investment makes sense for specific use cases:

• Tech Companies: SaaS products, developer tools, tech-focused businesses that need to demonstrate technical credibility
• High-Traffic Sites: Websites expecting significant traffic where performance directly impacts revenue
• Web Applications: Tools, calculators, configurators, or other interactive experiences
• Brand-Critical Sites: Companies where the website is a primary marketing asset and needs to be exceptional
• Complex User Journeys: Sites with sophisticated user flows, personalization, or multi-step processes
• API-Heavy Projects: Sites that integrate with multiple third-party services or your own APIs

Ongoing Costs for Custom Sites

Custom applications require professional hosting and maintenance:

• Vercel/Netlify Hosting ($20 - $150/month): Modern hosting optimized for Next.js with automatic scaling
• Headless CMS ($0 - $300/month): Contentful, Sanity, or similar for content management
• CDN & Services ($50 - $200/month): Image optimization, analytics, monitoring
• Maintenance & Support ($500 - $2,000/month): Bug fixes, security updates, feature enhancements
• Development Retainer ($2,000 - $10,000/month): Ongoing improvements and new features

To learn more about professional website design and development, explore our comprehensive service offerings.

Enterprise Websites: $75,000 - $500,000+

Enterprise websites are complex digital ecosystems that serve large organizations with sophisticated needs. These aren't just websites—they're comprehensive digital platforms that integrate with numerous systems and serve diverse audiences.

What Makes a Website "Enterprise"?

Enterprise web projects typically include several of these characteristics:

• Multiple Stakeholder Groups: Different user types with unique needs (customers, partners, employees, investors)
• Complex Integrations: CRM, ERP, marketing automation, data warehouses, legacy systems
• Multi-Language & Multi-Region: Internationalization with localized content and experiences
• Advanced Personalization: Dynamic content based on user behavior, demographics, and preferences
• High Security Requirements: SOC 2 compliance, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, or other regulatory requirements
• Custom Applications: Tools, calculators, configurators, portals, or other complex functionality
• Extensive Content: Thousands of pages, documents, media assets requiring robust management
• Enterprise Scale: Millions of visitors, high availability requirements, disaster recovery

Enterprise Project Cost Breakdown

Large-scale projects involve substantial teams and timelines:

Timeline and Team

Enterprise projects typically take 6-18 months and involve large teams:

• Project Manager: Coordinating all stakeholders and ensuring on-time delivery
• Business Analyst: Documenting requirements and user stories
• UX Researchers: Conducting user research and testing
• UI/UX Designers: Creating comprehensive design systems
• Front-End Developers: Building responsive, accessible interfaces
• Back-End Developers: Creating robust APIs and integrations
• QA Engineers: Extensive testing across devices and scenarios
• DevOps Engineers: Setting up infrastructure and deployment pipelines
• Security Specialists: Ensuring compliance and security

Ongoing Enterprise Costs

Operating an enterprise website requires significant ongoing investment:

• Infrastructure ($1,000 - $10,000/month): Dedicated servers, CDN, database hosting, monitoring
• Licenses ($500 - $5,000/month): CMS licenses, analytics, security tools, marketing platforms
• Support & Maintenance ($2,000 - $15,000/month): 24/7 monitoring, updates, bug fixes
• Content Operations ($3,000 - $20,000/month): Content creators, editors, managers
• Development Retainer ($5,000 - $50,000/month): Ongoing enhancements and new features

Ongoing Website Costs: What to Budget Monthly & Annually

Many business owners focus solely on the upfront cost of building a website and are surprised by the ongoing expenses. The truth is, a website is never "done"—it requires continuous maintenance, updates, and optimization to remain secure, fast, and effective.

Essential Ongoing Costs

1. Hosting & Infrastructure ($10 - $5,000/month)

Your hosting needs scale with your site's complexity and traffic:

• Shared Hosting ($10 - $30/month): Basic sites with low traffic, shared server resources
• VPS Hosting ($30 - $150/month): Dedicated resources, better performance, more control
• Managed WordPress ($20 - $300/month): Optimized for WordPress with automatic backups and security
• Cloud Hosting ($50 - $500/month): Scalable infrastructure that grows with your traffic
• Enterprise Hosting ($500 - $5,000+/month): Dedicated servers, high availability, advanced security

2. Domain Registration & SSL ($15 - $200/year)

• Domain Name ($10 - $50/year): Your website address (e.g., yourbusiness.com)
• SSL Certificate ($0 - $150/year): Many hosts include free SSL; premium options offer better warranties
• Domain Privacy ($10 - $20/year): Protects your personal information in WHOIS databases

3. Maintenance & Updates ($50 - $500/month)

Regular maintenance keeps your site secure and functioning properly:

• Software Updates: CMS, plugins, themes, and framework updates
• Security Monitoring: Scanning for malware, vulnerabilities, and suspicious activity
• Backups: Regular automated backups and tested recovery procedures
• Performance Optimization: Database optimization, image compression, caching configuration
• Uptime Monitoring: Alerts if your site goes down
• Technical Support: Help when things break or you have questions

4. Content Updates ($50 - $200/hour)

If you can't update your own content, you'll need to pay someone:

• Text Changes: Updating copy, adding new pages, fixing typos
• Image Updates: Adding new photos, graphics, or videos
• Blog Posts: Writing and publishing new content
• Product Updates: Adding new products, updating prices, managing inventory

5. Security & Backup Services ($10 - $300/month)

• Security Plugins/Services ($10 - $50/month): Firewalls, malware scanning, intrusion detection
• Backup Services ($5 - $100/month): Automated backups stored off-site
• CDN Services ($0 - $200/month): Content delivery networks for faster global performance

6. Analytics & Marketing Tools ($0 - $1,000+/month)

• Google Analytics: Free, but limited features
• Advanced Analytics ($50 - $300/month): Heap, Mixpanel, or similar for deeper insights
• SEO Tools ($100 - $400/month): Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz for keyword research and tracking
• Email Marketing ($10 - $300/month): Mailchimp, ConvertKit, or ActiveCampaign
• CRM Software ($25 - $150/user/month): HubSpot, Salesforce, or Pipedrive

Annual Budget Planning

Here's what you should budget annually based on your website type:

Hidden Costs to Watch Out For

Beyond the obvious expenses, several hidden costs catch business owners by surprise:

1. Content Creation ($2,000 - $20,000+)

Most website quotes assume you'll provide all the content. If you need help:

• Professional Copywriting ($100 - $300/page): Persuasive copy that converts visitors into customers
• Professional Photography ($500 - $5,000/day): Custom photos of your team, products, or locations
• Stock Photography ($10 - $500/image): High-quality stock photos for visual appeal
• Video Production ($1,000 - $10,000+): Promotional videos, testimonials, or product demos
• Graphic Design ($500 - $3,000): Custom illustrations, infographics, or icons

2. Integrations & Third-Party Services

Connecting your website to other tools often requires custom development:

• CRM Integration ($1,000 - $5,000): Connecting to Salesforce, HubSpot, or other CRMs
• Email Marketing ($500 - $2,000): Deep integration with Mailchimp, ConvertKit, etc.
• Payment Gateways ($500 - $3,000): Custom payment processing beyond basic options
• Inventory Systems ($2,000 - $10,000): Syncing with your inventory management software
• Custom APIs ($3,000 - $15,000): Building custom connections to proprietary systems

3. Accessibility & Compliance ($2,000 - $10,000)

Making your site accessible and legally compliant isn't optional:

• ADA Compliance: Ensuring your site meets accessibility standards to avoid lawsuits
• GDPR Compliance: Cookie consent, privacy policies, data handling for EU visitors
• CCPA Compliance: California privacy requirements
• HIPAA Compliance: Healthcare data protection requirements
• PCI Compliance: Payment card industry security standards

4. Training & Onboarding ($500 - $3,000)

Your team needs to know how to use the new website:

• Content Management Training: How to add/edit pages, posts, and media
• E-Commerce Training: Managing products, orders, and customers
• Analytics Training: Understanding and acting on website data
• Documentation: Written guides and video tutorials

5. Migration & Data Transfer ($1,000 - $10,000)

Moving from an old website to a new one is complex:

• Content Migration: Moving pages, posts, and media to the new platform
• SEO Preservation: Setting up redirects to maintain search rankings
• Data Cleanup: Fixing broken links, optimizing images, updating outdated content
• URL Structure: Planning and implementing an improved URL structure

6. Revisions & Change Requests

Most contracts include a limited number of revision rounds. Additional changes cost extra:

• Design Revisions: Major changes after design approval ($1,000 - $5,000)
• Scope Changes: Adding features not in the original plan ($500 - $10,000+)
• Content Revisions: Rewriting or redesigning pages after approval ($100 - $500/page)

How to Choose the Right Website Based on Your Budget

With such a wide range of options, how do you decide what's right for your business? The key is matching your investment to your business goals, not just your available budget.

Budget: $0 - $1,000 (DIY Website Builder)

Best for: Solo entrepreneurs, freelancers, hobbyists, or anyone testing a business idea before making a larger investment.

What you can achieve: A professional-looking website with basic functionality. Great for establishing an online presence, but limited in customization and scalability.

Recommendation: Start with Squarespace if you prioritize design, Wix if you want ease of use, or Webflow if you have some technical skills and want more control.

Timeline: 1-4 weeks to launch if you dedicate focused time.

Budget: $1,000 - $5,000 (Template WordPress or Basic Shopify)

Best for: Small businesses ready to invest in a more professional website, local service providers, or online stores with a small product catalog.

What you can achieve: A professionally set up website with custom branding, optimized for search engines, and integrated with essential tools like email marketing and analytics.

Recommendation: Hire a freelancer or small agency to set up a premium WordPress theme or Shopify store. This budget gets you professional setup without custom development.

Timeline: 4-8 weeks from kickoff to launch.

Budget: $5,000 - $15,000 (Custom WordPress or Shopify)

Best for: Established small businesses, growing e-commerce stores, or companies where the website is a primary marketing channel.

What you can achieve: A custom-designed website that reflects your unique brand, optimized user experience based on your customer journey, advanced functionality tailored to your needs, and comprehensive SEO optimization.

Recommendation: Work with an experienced agency that can handle strategy, design, and development. At this budget, you should expect a collaborative process with research, planning, and optimization.

Timeline: 8-12 weeks for a complete project.

Budget: $15,000 - $50,000 (Custom React/Next.js or Advanced E-Commerce)

Best for: Tech companies, SaaS businesses, high-growth e-commerce, or companies where website performance directly impacts revenue.

What you can achieve: A high-performance custom website built with modern technologies, exceptional user experience with smooth interactions and animations, advanced functionality like calculators, configurators, or portals, and comprehensive analytics and conversion optimization.

Recommendation: Partner with a specialized agency like Verlua that focuses on modern web technologies and performance. This investment should deliver measurable ROI through improved conversions and user engagement.

Timeline: 12-20 weeks for design, development, and optimization.

Budget: $50,000+ (Enterprise or Complex Custom Platform)

Best for: Large corporations, multi-brand companies, complex web applications, or businesses with sophisticated integration requirements.

What you can achieve: A complete digital ecosystem with multiple user types and experiences, enterprise-grade security and compliance, extensive integrations with internal systems, personalized experiences at scale, and comprehensive support and maintenance.

Recommendation: Select a full-service agency with proven enterprise experience. Look for case studies, client references, and a dedicated team structure with project management, design, development, and QA specialists.

Timeline: 6-18 months depending on complexity.

Making the Decision: ROI Perspective

Rather than asking "What can I afford?" ask "What will deliver the best return on investment?"

Consider these questions:

• What's the lifetime value of a customer? If you acquire customers worth $5,000 each, a $20,000 website that converts 2% better pays for itself with just 200 extra visitors.
• What's your current conversion rate? Professional design and development typically improves conversion rates by 50-200%.
• How much traffic do you get? High-traffic sites benefit more from performance optimization and custom development.
• How complex are your needs? Don't pay for custom development if a template meets 90% of your needs.
• What's your growth trajectory? If you're scaling rapidly, invest in a platform that can scale with you.

What You Actually Get for Your Money

Let's be specific about what's included at different price points:

$500 - $2,000: Basic Professional Setup

• Premium theme or template selection and installation
• Basic branding (colors, fonts, logo placement)
• 5-10 pages of content (you provide the content)
• Contact form setup
• Basic SEO configuration (titles, descriptions)
• Mobile responsive design (from template)
• Google Analytics installation
• 1 hour of training on how to update content

$5,000 - $10,000: Professional Custom Website

• Strategy session to understand your goals and audience
• Custom homepage and key landing page designs
• Mobile-first responsive design
• 10-20 pages of content (with some copywriting assistance)
• Custom features or integrations (forms, calendars, galleries)
• Comprehensive SEO optimization
• Performance optimization (image compression, caching)
• Google Analytics setup with goal tracking
• 2-3 rounds of revisions
• Training and documentation
• 30 days of post-launch support

$15,000 - $30,000: Advanced Custom Development

• Comprehensive discovery with user research
• Information architecture and user journey mapping
• Complete custom design system
• Custom UI components and interactions
• 20-50 pages of content with professional copywriting
• Advanced functionality (calculators, configurators, member areas)
• Multiple third-party integrations
• Comprehensive technical SEO
• Performance optimization for sub-second load times
• Accessibility compliance (WCAG AA)
• Advanced analytics setup with custom events
• Comprehensive testing across devices and browsers
• Training for multiple team members
• 90 days of post-launch support

$50,000+: Enterprise Platform

• Multi-month discovery with stakeholder interviews
• User research and competitive analysis
• Comprehensive information architecture
• Complete design system with pattern library
• Custom development from scratch
• Unlimited pages and content
• Complex integrations with multiple systems
• Multi-language and multi-region support
• Personalization and dynamic content
• Advanced security and compliance
• Load testing and performance optimization
• Comprehensive QA and user testing
• Change management and training programs
• Dedicated support team post-launch
• Ongoing development retainer

Frequently Asked Questions About Website Costs

Making the Right Investment in Your Website

Understanding website costs is about more than comparing prices—it's about recognizing the value different solutions provide and choosing the right investment for your specific business goals.

Here's what you need to remember:

• Your website is an investment, not an expense. When done right, it generates revenue that far exceeds the initial cost.
• Cheaper isn't always better. A $500 website that doesn't convert visitors into customers costs more than a $10,000 website that drives real business results.
• Consider total cost of ownership. Initial development is just the beginning—factor in ongoing maintenance, hosting, and optimization.
• Match investment to goals. If your website is central to your business model, invest accordingly. If it's just an online brochure, a simpler solution may suffice.
• Plan for growth. Choose a platform and approach that can scale as your business grows, or you'll be rebuilding sooner than expected.

At Verlua, we specialize in custom React/Next.js development for businesses that need exceptional performance, unique functionality, and conversion-optimized design. Our projects typically range from $15,000-$75,000 and deliver measurable ROI through improved user experience and conversion rates.

If you're ready to explore what a professionally designed and developed website could do for your business, we'd love to help. Our team will analyze your needs, provide transparent pricing, and create a solution that drives real business results.