How Much Does It Cost to Build a Website?

If you’ve ever tried to get a straight answer about website costs, you’ve probably ended up more confused than when you started. One agency quotes $3,000, another sends a proposal for $25,000, and DIY platforms advertise websites for “free” that somehow still eat into your budget.

So, how much does it really cost to build a website?

The truth is, there’s no universal number. A website can be as simple as a five-page brochure site or as complex as a custom-built platform with e-commerce, membership logins, and integrations with CRMs like Salesforce. What you’ll pay depends on the scope, the platform you choose, and how much control you want after launch.

Renting vs. Owning Your Website

One of the biggest surprises business owners face is learning they don’t actually own their website.

Some agencies operate on a “rental model.” They host your site on their servers, keep the admin credentials, and lock you into their contract. The site may look and feel like yours, but in reality, you’re just renting it. Stop paying, and the site disappears.

Here’s the critical part: this has nothing to do with how much you spend. You can pay $1,000 and walk away with full ownership, or spend $20,000 and discover that the site isn’t yours at all.

Ownership is determined by the agreement you make at the start. If it isn’t explicitly outlined in the contract that you own the website, the accounts, and the data, you risk losing control later.

Even when you do own the site, some agencies build in ways that create dependence. They may design it so that simple changes require a developer, ensuring you keep coming back (and paying) for even the smallest updates.

The takeaway: when budgeting for a website, don’t just ask “what will it cost?” Ask “will I own it, and will I be able to update it without being dependent on you?” That question matters as much as the price.

Platform Options and What They Mean for Cost

Choosing the right platform isn’t just about upfront cost, it affects control, maintenance, and long-term usability. Here’s a breakdown of common options:

DIY Website Builders (e.g., Old Wix, Squarespace, Weebly)

• Pros: Extremely user-friendly with drag-and-drop interfaces, low monthly cost ($20–$100), and hosting included. Great for simple, fast launches.

• Cons: Limited customization, cookie-cutter designs, basic SEO, and usually not scalable. Most growth paths require starting anew.

• Typical Build Time: A site can go live in a few days to 2 weeks.

  
  

Modern Hybrid Platforms (e.g., Wix Studio)

• Pros: Built on JavaScript and APIs with a visual editor overlay, offering both ease of use and depth for integrations. Able to handle enterprise tools like Salesforce, SSO, and multi-site analytics via its enterprise-tier features.

• Cons: Has some template and structure limitations, and it comes with a steeper learning curve and higher cost than simpler platforms.

• Typical Build Time: Professional, scalable sites usually take 4–8 weeks.

  
  

WordPress (including platforms like Shopify & HubSpot)

• Pros: Established with broad plugin/app ecosystems; flexible enough for content-rich, e-commerce, or marketing-heavy sites.

• Cons: Requires technical know-how. Plugins can conflict and break upon updates. Templates often age out, and maintenance or redesigns can be cumbersome and costly.

• Typical Build Time: Templated sites: 10–14 weeks; semi-custom builds: 14–20 weeks.

  
  

Fully Custom-Coded Sites

• Pros: Complete control over design and functionality—ideal for enterprise-scale or highly unique needs.

• Cons: Very expensive (often $25K+) and slow to build (often takes 4–12 months). Ongoing updates always require development support.

Industry Averages for Website Costs

Here’s what businesses in the U.S. typically pay for websites:

• DIY platform builds: $20–$100/month, but limited in lifespan.

• Freelancer builds: $2,000–$8,000, good for smaller sites but reliant on one person’s availability.

• Agency builds: $10,000–$50,000+, especially when e-commerce or complex integrations are required.

• Example from Deliberate Media: Sites often start around $3,500 for professional small-business builds and run $10,000+ for advanced integrations like Salesforce.

  
  

These ranges show that website cost isn’t about a single number — it’s about aligning scope, ownership, and platform with your goals.

The Hidden Cost of Updates

One of the most overlooked factors in website pricing is what happens after launch.

Many agencies structure updates to be painful. You’ll get a small “free” allotment each month, with everything beyond that billed hourly. Adding a campaign landing page? $300. Changing a homepage banner? $150. Over time, those fees can exceed the original build cost.

When budgeting, don’t just plan for the upfront build. Factor in how you’ll manage updates and scaling over the next three to five years.

The Lifespan Factor

Just like with video and ads, a website should be thought of as an asset with a lifespan.

A $30/month DIY site may look fine at first, but if you replace it every 18 months, your long-term costs balloon. Meanwhile, a $10,000 professional build designed to last five years works out to less than $170/month — with a much stronger impact on brand trust, SEO, and lead generation.

The smarter question isn’t just “how much does a website cost?” but “how long will this site last before I need to rebuild?”

Final Thoughts

So, how much does it cost to build a website? Enough to make sure it’s yours, easy to update, and built to last.

The real mistake isn’t just spending too little or too much — it’s failing to clarify ownership from the start. You can spend $1,000 and own your site completely, or spend $20,000 and find out later that you’ve been renting it all along. Ownership needs to be set at the beginning of the conversation with whoever is building your site, not discovered after it’s launched.

Spending too little often leaves you with a website that can’t scale, looks dated quickly, or costs you more in updates and rebuilds down the road. Overspending without clear agreements can drain your budget while leaving you locked out of your own platform.

The sweet spot is a site that looks professional, performs well, and gives you full ownership and flexibility. Whether you choose a DIY builder, a modern hybrid platform, a CMS like WordPress/Shopify/HubSpot, or a fully custom-coded solution, the real cost isn’t just the invoice. It’s the ownership, the update fees, and the lifespan.

Your website isn’t just a brochure. It’s your storefront, your sales team, and often your first impression. And that makes getting it right worth every penny.