"How much will my website cost?" is the first question almost every business owner asks, and the honest answer is: it depends. Two websites with the same number of pages can cost very differently because of design, features and the platform used. This guide explains what actually drives the price so you can plan your budget and compare quotes fairly.
What decides the cost of a website
- Number and type of pages. A five-page business site needs far less work than a site with dozens of service, city and product pages.
- Design. A ready-made template is faster and cheaper. A custom UI/UX design built around your brand takes more time but looks unique.
- Features. Contact forms are simple. Online payments, booking systems, user logins and search filters add development work.
- Content. Someone has to write the text and prepare photos. If you supply it, the cost is lower.
- Platform. WordPress, Shopify and custom PHP or Laravel each have a different build effort and different running costs.
- SEO and speed work. Proper page titles, schema, image optimisation and fast loading take planning, but they help customers find you on Google.
- Integrations. Connecting a CRM, chat tools, email tools or a payment gateway adds time.
Common types of websites
Business (brochure) website. Home, About, Services, Contact and a few more pages. The main cost drivers are design and content.
Online store. Cost grows with the number of products, payment and shipping setup, and stock management. Shopify and WooCommerce are the usual choices.
Custom website with an admin panel. Built in PHP or Laravel when you need special features, such as a dashboard to manage orders, users or listings. This needs more planning and testing.
Landing page. One focused page for a campaign. Quick to build and ideal for ads.
Costs people forget
- Domain name renewal every year
- Web hosting and an SSL certificate
- Premium themes or plugins, if the build needs them
- Photography, copywriting or video
- Maintenance, updates and backups after launch
- Marketing, such as SEO and ads, to bring visitors in
How to get an accurate quote
- Write down the goal of the website: more calls, online sales, bookings or simply credibility.
- Collect two or three websites you like, and say what you like about them.
- List the pages and features you need now, and what can wait for later.
- Decide who will provide text and photos.
- Share your deadline and a budget range. A range helps the agency recommend the right solution.
Red flags to avoid
- A very low price with no written scope of work
- No contract, or no clear statement that you own your domain, design and content
- No testing on real mobile phones
- No support or update plan after launch
Next step
The fastest way to know your real cost is to share your requirements. Qodebay sends a clear written quote within 24 hours, so you know what you will get before any work starts. Tell us about your project and we will take it from there.