Web Design Pricing – How Much Does a Website Cost in 2025?

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in January of 2023 and has been updated in March 2025 for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

A well-designed, smooth-running website is the perfect place to educate prospects about your company, demonstrate your brand’s commitment to quality, and sell your products and services to customers.

But a slow, cumbersome, and poorly designed website spoils the user experience and can seriously harm your brand’s reputation, organic search visibility, and sales.

For this reason, it’s a no-brainer to put some effort into creating a site that presents your business in the best light possible. But whether you’re looking to revamp your existing site or build a new one from scratch, you first need to understand what your options are and how much they’re likely to cost. 

That’s exactly why we’ve created this post. Our goal is to give you a solid understanding of what you can expect to pay for a website in 2025, explain the various factors that can influence the cost of a website, and discuss the pros and cons of different web design strategies.

Let’s dive in.

How Much Does A Website Cost in 2025?

Web design costs in 2025 range anywhere from $1,000 to $50,000 or more.

Likewise, the cost of maintaining a business website typically ranges from $250 to $50,000 per year.

Just like cars, houses, or clothing, the cost of a website depends on what you’re looking for. 

If you’re bootstrapping a startup and just need a simple, attractive site to promote your products, you’ll need to shell out much less than an enterprise business with massive security, ecommerce, and data management needs.

Moreover, the cost of a website is significantly determined by whether you build it yourself or hire someone else to do it. Later in the post, we’ll examine the relative benefits of the do-it-yourself (DIY) approach versus outsourcing the work to professional web designers.

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What Factors Impact the Cost of a Website?

Before we look at different web-build options, it’s important to understand what other variables can influence how much you pay for a website. 

Here are some of the main cost factors to keep in mind:

The Type of Website

Websites come in different forms—ecommerce stores, personal blogs, portfolio sites, and more. And each type has different levels of complexity, design needs, and functionality, which affects the cost.

For example, personal blogs are typically simple, with minimal design requirements. Website builders like Wix AI and WordPress provide pre-made templates, making them an affordable choice.

Ecommerce sites, on the other hand, require much more. They need secure payment gateways, shopping carts, inventory management, and sometimes even custom integrations.

While Shopify and Magento provide ready-made solutions, more advanced businesses may need headless commerce platforms like Shopify Hydrogen or Contentful, which offer greater flexibility—but at a higher cost, often requiring a developer.

Domain Name

Your domain name is your website’s unique virtual address. 

Most businesses choose a domain that matches their brand name, making it easier for people to find them online.

A domain name usually costs between $10 and $20 per year, depending on the registrar. 

But if your exact-match domain is already taken, premium domains—especially short, keyword-rich domains—can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars.

In extreme cases, domain names can cost several million dollars. In 2019, the domain name “voice.com” was bought for $30 million—a record that holds to this day.

Also, keep in mind that TLDs (top-level domains) like .ai, .io, and .xyz have surged in popularity in recent years, particularly among startups, driving up their prices.

Hosting

A web hosting provider stores your website’s files on its servers and makes them accessible to internet users. A good hosting plan includes fast page load times, regular backups, and high uptime guarantees.

While free hosting exists, a paid plan offers better security, performance, and customer support. Costs depend on the hosting type and provider.
Shared hosting: The cheapest option, but since resources are shared with other sites, performance can be inconsistent. Prices typically range from $1 to $15 per month.

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• VPS (Virtual Private Server): A step up from shared hosting, offering more stability and dedicated resources. Prices range from $20 to $100 per month.
• Cloud hosting: Distributes your website across multiple servers, making it scalable and highly reliable. Prices range from $10 to $200 per month. Note that cloud services like AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure operate on a pay-as-you-go model, so costs can vary significantly based on usage.
• Dedicated server: A physical server just for your website. Best for high-traffic or resource-heavy sites. Costs tend to range from $80 to $500 per month.

Choosing the right hosting depends on your website’s needs. Small personal sites can get by with shared hosting, while businesses benefit more from VPS, cloud, or dedicated hosting.

Security

Strong website security measures help protect user data and prevent cyber threats like malware, hacking attempts, and phishing attacks. Neglecting security can lead to data breaches, financial losses, and damage to customer trust.

A Transport Layer Security (TLS) certificate is one of the most crucial security features for any website. It encrypts data transferred between your website and its visitors, preventing interception by hackers. Users can check for TLS protection by looking for the HTTPS prefix and a padlock icon in the browser’s address bar.

TLS certificates range in cost depending on the level of validation and security required. Basic certificates are available for free through providers like Let’s Encrypt, while premium options with extended validation and enterprise-grade security can easily cost $1,500 per year.

Ecommerce Capabilities

If you run an online store, your website needs features like payment gateways, shopping carts, and shipping integrations.

The cost of implementing ecommerce functionality depends on factors like your inventory size, order volume, and scalability needs. If you plan to expand your product range or enter new markets, your website must be built to handle increased traffic, inventory, and transactions without performance issues.

DIY ecommerce setups using platforms like Shopify and BigCommerce can start at around $30 per month, rising to $300 for premium plans. 

But more advanced customization—such as headless commerce setups, third-party API integrations, or unique checkout experiences—can significantly increase costs.

For businesses requiring custom-built solutions, professional ecommerce development can range from $10,000 to $50,000 or more. The cost will depend on design complexity, backend development, and integrations with CRM, ERP, or inventory management systems. 

Enterprise-level platforms like Magento Commerce, Salesforce Commerce Cloud, or Shopify Plus often require ongoing maintenance and infrastructure costs, further raising expenses. 

Additionally, platforms like Stripe, PayPal, and Square charge transaction fees (typically ~3% plus a small fixed amount per transaction), which can add up over time.

Design

Your website’s design impacts usability, credibility, and conversions. A well-structured layout improves navigation, while an engaging visual style builds trust and encourages user interaction.

Google’s Core Web Vitals measure key aspects of user experience. And these factors influence search rankings by contributing to Google’s overall page experience signals.

No-code website builders like Webflow, Wix, and Framer AI offer pre-designed templates and drag-and-drop customization, making them cost-effective for small businesses, freelancers, and startups that need a professional-looking site without hiring a developer.

Custom-designed websites typically start at $5,000 for small business sites, while large-scale platforms with complex functionality, advanced integrations, or custom animations can exceed $50,000.

Moreover, conversion rate optimization (CRO) services—aimed at improving engagement and sales—range from $1,500 to $31,000 per month. Some agencies also offer performance-based pricing, where fees are tied to actual conversion rate increases.

Database Integration

Many businesses need websites that connect to databases or external services. For example, a site may pull real-time inventory data, process orders, or integrate with customer relationship management (CRM) software.

API-first architecture is becoming the standard, allowing sites to connect with external tools seamlessly. And AI-powered databases (like vector databases for AI chatbots and recommendation engines) are also growing in use.

Depending on complexity, database integrations can add anywhere from $2,000 to $30,000 to your website costs.

Legal and Compliance Costs

Businesses handling customer data must comply with privacy regulations like GDPR, CCPA, and ADA accessibility standards. 

Legal fees or software solutions for compliance management can add $500 to $5,000+ per year to the cost of a small business website.

What’s the Best Way to Build Your Website?

Given everything you have to account for when building a website that suits your business needs, what approach should you use to build one?

Here are the three main ways to build a website, along with their costs and ideal use cases.

1. Use a Website Builder

Website builders are online platforms that let you create websites without needing to code. Most offer drag-and-drop editors and pre-designed templates, making it easy for beginners to launch a professional-looking site quickly.

• Some of the most popular website builders include:
• Wix AI
• Squarespace
• Shopify
• Webflow
• GoDaddy Website Builder
• Duda
• Framer AI
• Hostinger AI
• Jimdo

What’s the Cost of Using a Website Builder?

Website builder pricing typically ranges from $7 to $500 per month, depending on the features you need. 

Most plans include hosting, security, and templates. And some builders even offer AI-generated websites, which can create a fully functional site in minutes.

In most cases, the only additional costs to consider are for any paid plugins you might need to enhance your site’s functionalities.

Tip: While some platforms offer free plans (e.g., Weebly, Jimdo), these often come with ads, limited features, and no custom domain. A paid plan is your best bet for a professional website.

Who Is a Website Builder Best For?

Website builders are ideal for freelancers, solopreneurs, and small businesses that need a functional, attractive site without a large budget or technical knowledge.

A website builder may be the right choice if:

• You need a website quickly
• You have little to no technical experience
• You want a simple, all-in-one solution that includes hosting and security

2. Use WordPress

WordPress is an open-source content management system (CMS) that powers over 40% of websites worldwide. 

Unlike website builders, WordPress offers more flexibility and control, but it requires more effort to set up and maintain.

You can use WordPress to build almost any type of website, from personal blogs to ecommerce stores.

What’s the Cost of Using WordPress?

While WordPress itself is free, you’ll need to pay for hosting, a domain, themes, and plugins. The total cost depends on your setup:

• Basic WordPress site: $50 to $200 per year
• Business website with premium plugins and themes: $500 to $2,000 per year
• Custom WordPress development: $3,000 to $10,000+ (if hiring a developer)

Many businesses opt for managed WordPress hosting (e.g., Kinsta, WP Engine) to handle security and updates, which can add $30 to $100 per month to costs.

Who Is WordPress Best For?

WordPress is ideal for businesses, content creators, and anyone who wants more control over their site.

A WordPress site may be right for you if:

• You want full customization and scalability
• You’re comfortable managing hosting, security, and updates
• You need advanced functionality, like custom plugins or integrations

Further reading: Top 15 WordPress SEO Agencies of 2025

3. Hire a Web Design Agency

If you want a high-end, custom-built website, hiring a web design agency is your best option. Agencies typically offer a full team, including designers, developers, brand strategists, and SEO experts.

When choosing a web design service, consider:

• Traditional agencies: Full-service teams that handle everything from design to development (e.g., HigherVisibility).
• Subscription-based design services: Unlimited design updates for a monthly fee (e.g., DesignJoy, ManyPixels).
• Webflow agencies: Specialize in no-code, high-performance websites with better speed and security than WordPress.

What’s the Cost of Hiring a Web Design Agency?

The price depends on the level of customization:

• Traditional agencies: $5,000 to $70,000+ (for fully custom builds)
• Subscription-based design agencies: $500 to $5,000 per month
• Webflow agencies: $3,000 to $15,000 (for modern, high-performance websites)

Tip: One way to reduce the cost of hiring a traditional design agency is to ask them to customize a premium WordPress theme to your specifications. This can be much less expensive than getting your agency to build a custom site from scratch.

Who Is a Web Design Agency Best For?

Hiring a web designer is ideal for businesses that need a unique, scalable, and professionally designed site.

A web design agency may be the best choice if:

• You have a budget of at least $3,000
• You need a fully custom-built website
• You want expert support for branding, SEO, and user experience

Further reading: The 15 Best Web Design Companies for Small Businesses in 2025

Final Thoughts 

Your website is your most important online asset, so choosing the right approach is crucial. Whether you build it yourself or hire professionals, the best option depends on your goals, budget, and technical expertise.

If you’re a solopreneur or small business, a website builder offers an affordable and straightforward way to establish an online presence. If you need more customization and control, WordPress provides flexibility but requires ongoing maintenance. And if your business demands a fully custom, high-performance website, a web design agency is the best investment.

So, how much does a website cost in 2025?

• Website builder: $0 to $500 per month
• WordPress site: $50 to $2,000+ per year (more with custom development)
• Web design agency: $5,000 to $70,000+

Before making a decision, take the time to evaluate your business needs, set a realistic budget, and choose the approach that aligns with your goals. A well-designed website is more than just a digital storefront—it’s a long-term asset that can drive traffic, build credibility, and grow your business.o don’t rush into a decision. Take the time to determine your business needs from a website, work out a budget, and then pick a solution that best suits you.