Anywhere from free to well over $100,000. The difference is what you're actually paying for.
Here's what each option gets you, and who it's right for.
DIY Website Builders: Around $30–$100 per Month
Wix, Squarespace and Shopify themes let you get online quickly and cheaply.
They're great for testing an idea, a side project or putting a concept in front of people.
What you won't get is strategy, user research or a site designed around how your customers actually behave. You're also doing the work yourself.
Templates and Freelancers: Around $2,000–$8,000
A step up in polish, usually built on a purchased theme.
Fine for a simple brochure site. Strategy and UX are usually light or skipped, and integrations and custom features are limited.
Custom Websites With a Professional Agency: Starting From $12,000
For established businesses where the website has a job to do: generating enquiries, converting customers and connecting to the systems you already use.
You get discovery, UX strategy, custom design and full-stack development, shaped around your business rather than a template.
Pricing varies between agencies, and so does expertise. Experience shows in the results: clearer customer journeys, better conversion and a website that is easier to grow.
What Moves the Price
- Size: the number of unique page types and templates.
- Complexity: custom features, portals, calculators or booking flows.
- Integrations: connecting to your CRM, booking, inventory or accounting systems.
- Automation and AI: workflows that remove manual work, or AI features built into the site.
- Migration: moving existing content and data while protecting your search rankings.
Which Option Is Right for You?
- Testing an idea? Start with a DIY builder.
- Need a simple online presence? A template or freelancer may be enough.
- Need your website to grow your business? Invest in a custom website with UX strategy.
