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How much does a website cost to build? If your needs are relatively simple, you may find that using a website creator costs less than you'd expect. However, no matter how complex your site may be, you'll always want to be aware of your costs. While some expenses may be expected, others may be less obvious. To avoid surprises, you'll want to study all the aspects of creating a site and their associated price tags. This is an essential part of figuring out how to plan a website.
While website costs vary greatly, this article will help you better gauge what your project might cost before you invest in a website builder or hire a developer. Specifically, we’re answering questions like:
Want to get started for free? Wix’s website builder features a free plan so you can get your site up and running without fussing over costs.
How much does it cost to make a website?
A simple website can cost as little as $16 per month if you’re creating it yourself, but more complex sites or sites involving the help of an expert (designers, copywriters, photographers, etc.) can cost more than $10,000 in total. That's a big range, so let's break down the factors that influence the cost of making a website.
Key website cost factors
Here’s a detailed look at the factors that influence website costs and what determines them. We’ve provided average cost ranges based on both do-it-yourself solutions and higher-end approaches to help you estimate expenses.
01. Website builder
Average cost range: $0-$200 per month
Website builders help you design your website with little to no coding. Website builders like Wix offer free plans with limited features, ads and branded subdomains. Others charge as little as $16 per month and as much as $150-$200 for plans that include access to a wider range of features. For example, with a Wix Premium Plan, you get a drag-and-drop builder, hosting, custom domain names, simple website templates, a CMS and more.
Sign up for Wix today.
Not sure what to prioritize when choosing a website builder?
"Choose a website builder that allows you to make fast pivots with your business needs. If one day to the next, you need to add events or an online store, make sure your website builder makes that possible for you." - Esin D. Habif, product marketing lead outbound at Wix
Read also: Wix vs. GoDaddy
02. Website design and interface
Average cost range: $0-$10,000+ one time fee
Arguably the most essential part of any website is its design. A site’s visual content, including text, branding elements, imagery and layout, is what visitors see and interact with when they first arrive on your homepage. A successful interface lets visitors fluidly navigate your site and take action, like making a purchase or signing up for your newsletter. Generally before designing a site, you'll need to put together a website wireframe in order to plan its pages and site hierarchy out.
"The most important thing before building a website is good research. Know what you want to do and collect good inspirations that will contribute to your design." - Anna Suntsov, blog and social design team lead at Wix
These days, launching a new website is relatively affordable, with website builders only costing a dozen or so bucks a month. Some like Wix even offer an AI website builder to make AI web design accessible to people who can’t afford to hire a designer. Those who need a bespoke website with high levels of functionality may still want to shell out for a professional web designer, which tends to cost around $500 to $10,000. The lower end of that range will often afford you a simple, multi-page website, while the upper end will often get you an enterprise-level site designed to support needs like sophisticated analytics, complex database integration and custom software development.
Then, there’s branding, imagery, typography and copywriting. Wix makes this easy with a logo maker, an image generator, a full image library and a text generator. For a premium experience, you can hire branding experts, photographers, copywriters or graphic designers for anywhere from a few dollars per hour to tens of thousands for a website full of content.
03. Web hosting
Average cost range: $3-$250/month
Websites need to be hosted on a server to show up on the internet. Servers store the information on your site so that it appears on visitors’ screens. You can either choose a website provider with built-in hosting or acquire the two services separately.
Web hosting can vary in cost. With website builders like Wix hosting is included in the cost of the platform. If you decide to build a site from scratch, you'll need to pay for hosting separately, the costs of which can range from $2.95 to $250 per month, depending on whether you need your own server.
Shared hosting typically costs between $3 and $10 per month, making it a budget-friendly option for small businesses or websites with moderate traffic, while dedicated hosting starts at around $80 and can go up to $300 per month or more. Small businesses with limited budgets often choose shared hosting, while larger or rapidly growing websites requiring consistent speed and customization tend to opt for dedicated hosting.
Get free website hosting when you sign up with Wix.
04. Domains
Average cost range: $1-$1,000s per year
Think of a domain as your website's home address on the internet. It's what makes your online space official and gives visitors a feeling of trust and credibility. Therefore, it's worth spending the annual rate your domain registrar of choice charges for a custom domain.
You can snag a domain like myfavoritedayistuesday.site for as little as 98 cents a year. But at the other end of the spectrum, there's a domain like carinsurance.com, which sold for a jaw-dropping $50 million back in 2019.
Here's the scoop: Simple and super-popular domains often come with a hefty price tag. On the flip side, longer and unique domain names tend to be more budget-friendly. And as for those endings after the dot, like .com, .org or .net, they're usually pricier compared to newer ones like .land or .world.
Get a free domain name when you sign up for a Wix premium plan.
05. Templates
Average cost range: $0-70+
You don't have to use templates, but they can be a big help when building a website, especially if you're new to it. Templates make it easier to create an impressive personal or professional website without actually hiring anyone.
Template costs vary based on the website builder or content management system that they are designed for and the complexity of the template's features. For example, when using Wix to build your website, you have access to hundreds of professionally designed website templates at no extra cost. Alternatively, premium templates are available for purchase for $70 or more.
Get a website template for free from Wix today.
06. CMS
Average cost range: $0-$160+ per month
A content management system, or CMS, is a software application or platform that allows you as a website owner or administrator to create, manage, and modify content on your site without extensive technical knowledge or coding skills. In other words, a CMS makes managing your website and publishing content easier.
Certain CMS options like Drupal are open-source and therefore free to use. However, it's worth noting that some CMS solutions may not be free, and they typically require payment for licensing or subscription fees. These costs often cover advanced features, technical support, and regular updates to keep your website running smoothly.
If you use a website builder like Wix, on the other hand, the CMS is built into the platform at no extra cost to you.
07. SSL
Average cost range: $0-$100 per year
SSL/TLS certificates (public key certification) provide essential online encryption and authentication, ensuring that the data transmitted between your website and its visitors remains private and can’t be intercepted or tampered with. These are your options for public key certifications and their costs:
Paid certificates: There are various types of SSL/TLS certificates available, ranging from basic domain validation (DV) certificates to more advanced organization validation (OV) and extended validation (EV) certificates. DV certificates are the most affordable option and are suitable for most small websites. They can cost between $10 and $100 per year, depending on the certificate provider and features included.
Free certificates: Some certificate authorities, such as Let's Encrypt, offer free SSL/TLS certificates. These certificates are suitable for most websites and provide the necessary encryption and authentication. However, they may have limitations, such as shorter validity periods (typically 90 days) and a more manual renewal process.
Hosting provider and website builder options: Some web hosting providers offer SSL/TLS certificates as part of their hosting packages. It's worth checking if your hosting provider includes a free SSL/TLS certificate or offers affordable options for obtaining one.
Learn about how Wix protects your website security today.
08. Ecommerce functionality
Average cost range: $20+ per month plus payment processing fees
Want to sell products and services through your website? You’ll need to add eCommerce functionality that lets you upload inventory, manage SKUs and pricing, process sales, collect payments, save customer information and more.
Some website builders like Wix’s offer an eCommerce plan that costs just a few dollars more each month than its basic plan. These plans tend to come with payment processing, which usually costs a percentage of each transaction plus a flat fee.
Keep in mind that not all eCommerce providers are high-quality. You'll want to be mindful of the scalability and flexibility of your eCommerce tools. For example, some will enable you to sell internationally or on third-party marketplaces while others won't.
Use Wix to open a free eCommerce website today.
09. Apps and integrations
Average cost range: $0-$100+ per month
Most CMS software and website builders let you integrate third-party features and tools that enhance the design and functionality of your website. For example, if you manage an eCommerce site, you might want to integrate a loyalty app to incentivize and reward customers for shopping with you. Or, if you manage a blog, you may want to add a paywall to your website to monetize your content.
The cost to build a website with apps and integrations varies widely and depends on the vendor. Some apps offer free versions of their products with limited features and charge you to access more advanced features. Others offer a free trial and then make you pay a subscription to use them. For example, Virtual Tours (which lets you add 360 VR experiences to your site) from the Wix app market, offers a seven-day free trial, then charges between $11.99 and $99.99 per month.
10. Marketing features
Average cost range: $0-$1,000+ per month
Unlocking the full potential of your website involves a strategic approach to marketing. By harnessing a range of techniques such as search engine optimization (SEO), advertising, email campaigns, and social media, you can attract visitors and convert them into loyal customers.
You can opt for tools that address one facet of marketing or potentially save money by using tools that offer a bundle of marketing solutions. Alternatively, you can hire experts in various fields of marketing to help you grow. Hiring people tends to cost more than licensing online marketing tools. For example, Upwork says the average freelance social media marketer charges between $14 and $35 per hour. Comparatively, Hubspot’s Marketing Hub, a popular marketing tool, starts at $20 per month.
How much does it cost to make a website with a website builder?
Website builders like Wix make creating a website affordable and easy. These website builders cost anywhere from $0 for the most basic offerings to $159 per month for plans with multiple logins, unlimited storage and advanced website features. They offer designer-made website templates that can help you create a professional site, with little effort and no coding. You should not only consider the obvious costs but also all the additional functionality you may need. Learn more: Wix vs Squarespace
Check out Wix’s pricing page to get a full breakdown of its free and premium plan options.
Costs to build a website
Website features | Approximate cost | Cost with Wix |
|---|---|---|
Website builder | $0-$200 per month | From $16 |
Website design | $0-10,000+ | 800+ free web templates |
Web hosting | $0-250 per month | Free hosting with a paid plan |
Domain | $0-unlimited | Free domain with a paid plan |
Templates | $0-70+ | 800+ free web templates |
CMS | $0-160+ per month | Included |
SSL | $0-100+ per month | Free |
eCommerce capabilities | $20+ per month | $27-$159 |
Apps and integrations | $0-$100+per month | Prices vary |
Marketing features | $0-1,000 per month | Free SEO assistant, Email marketing, Bookings |
How much does a website cost to build with a professional?
Hiring a web designer or developer can be a great option if you don't have the time to create your own site or if you need advanced functionality. A professional brings expertise, creativity and technical skill to ensure your site meets your needs and provides a seamless user experience.
The cost of hiring a professional depends on several factors, such as:
Website complexity: Simple websites with a few web pages cost less than complex ones with advanced features, custom designs or third-party integrations.
Customization needs: Unique or highly tailored designs require more time and effort, which increases costs.
Developer’s experience & location: Developers with more experience or living in higher-cost areas typically charge more.
Additional services: If you need content creation, SEO, marketing or copywriting, you'll likely need to budget for these extra services. Discuss these requirements with the developer before they start creating your site to find out if these services are included in the initial cost or require separate arrangements.
As a very rough guideline, basic websites built by freelance web developers can start from a few hundred dollars and increase with complexity and customization requirements.
Want to find out how much it costs to build your website with a professional? Check out Wix’s marketplace of website designers to get a free quote today.
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How much does a website cost per industry?
Its functionality will affect how much a website costs to make. We’re breaking down how much it costs to build blogs, eCommerce websites, event websites and design portfolios depending on whether you create them yourself or hire a professional.
Blog website
Whether you are creating a blog website or adding a blog to your existing site, you won’t need to break the bank. All in all, a blog is one of the cheapest website options out there.
Cost of blog using a website builder: $0-$200 per month
Cost of web hosting: Free
Customized domain and advanced features per month: $23-$49
Hiring a web designer: $15-$1,000+
Use Wix’s blog maker to get started for free.
"You can use your blog for more than just elevating your brand. By fostering relationships and collaborating on content, it can help build the foundation for thought leadership and authority building both for you and within your industry." - Ophyr Hanan, blog growth and SEO outreach specialist at Wix
Ecommerce website
With almost 285 million online shoppers in the U.S. alone, the world isn’t moving toward digital business models—it has arrived. That’s why starting an online store is a great option for making money online.
To connect your own domain, accept online payments and grow your business, you’ll need to pay a small monthly fee of anywhere between $23 and $49 per month depending on how dynamic you want your site to be.
You might have also noticed that there is a very large price range to hire a designer for an eCommerce website. That’s because many eCommerce sites have many moving parts and can get a bit complicated. A pre-made eCommerce website template can help you navigate the labyrinth that is online stores so you can create your own.
Cost of eCommerce website using a website builder: $0-$200 per month
Cost of web hosting: Free
Customized domain and advanced features per month: $34-$64
Hiring a web designer: $25-$5,000+
Use Wix to start an eCommerce website today.
Event website
Whether you’re planning a wedding, hosting a webinar or anything in between, an event website can help you get organized. Event websites are unique because they are often short-term in nature. This means that you may not be looking to put a lot of money into your site.
If that’s the case for you, you should be ok signing up for a Wix free plan. if you want to include additional features, such as a bookings app to schedule appointments or sell tickets online, you’ll need to factor these into your final cost.
Cost of event website using a website builder: $0-$200 per month
Cost of web hosting: Free
Customized domain and advanced features per month: $23-$49
Hiring a web designer: $15-$1,000+
Build your event website with Wix today.
Portfolio website
A portfolio website is essential for any creative professional to showcase their work, including graphic designers, UX designers and architects. Because portfolio websites mainly constitute images, videos and text, you’ll likely need a good amount of website storage. For example, an $16 per month plan gets you 2 GB of storage to store media on your site.
Cost of portfolio website using a website builder: $0-$200 per month
Cost of web hosting: Free
Customized domain and advanced features per month: $23-$49
Hiring a web designer: $15-$1,000+
Build a portfolio website with Wix today.
How much does it cost to maintain a website?
Website maintenance costs depend on the type of site you've built and the platform you've used to build it. If you build a website with Wix, your annual maintenance costs are just your annual paid plan's renewal cost - so anywhere from $17 a year.
If you've built your site elsewhere you may need to consider the cost of maintaining it:
Your hosting plan (with Wix, hosting is free for the life of your website)
Your domain name (with Wix this renews with your paid plan)
Any security plugins or apps (with Wix enterprise-grade security are included for the life of your site)
At some point, if you want to update the design of your website you may need to consider the costs involved in doing this. Precise costs will depend on if you choose to do it yourself or use a professional web designer. Again, using a website builder will mean zero costs beyond your renewal paid plan, to update your design and pages. You'll just need to factor in the time it takes you to do it.
Learn more: What makes a good website
How to reduce website costs
Here are practical strategies you can use to keep website costs manageable while still achieving your goals:
Choose shared hosting to save on hosting expenses while still maintaining reliable website performance.
Use free templates and plugins instead of investing in custom designs or features to minimize upfront costs.
Minimize custom development by leveraging built-in functionalities offered by website platforms.
Prioritize essential features to avoid spending on unnecessary add-ons that inflate overall costs.
Regularly review tools and subscriptions to identify and eliminate unused or low-value services.
Plan your website layout and content carefully to prevent expensive design changes or functionality revisions later.
Optimize images and content for faster loading by reducing file sizes, which not only enhances performance but also lowers bandwidth expenses.
Select a cost-effective content management system (CMS) to efficiently manage your site while staying within budget.
Implement caching to improve website performance, reduce server strain and save on hosting costs.
Consider annual billing options to take advantage of discounts often offered for yearly payments over monthly subscriptions.
Website cost FAQ
How much does a website redesign cost?
The cost of a website redesign can vary depending on the scope of the project. However, in general, you can expect to pay anywhere from $2,000 to $20,000 or more for a website redesign.