“How much does a website cost?” is the first question almost every business asks us — and the honest answer is: it depends on what the website has to do for you. A five-page brochure site and a booking platform that takes payments are both “websites”, but they live in completely different budget brackets. This guide breaks down the real 2026 numbers so you can plan with confidence.
What actually drives the cost of a website
Before looking at price ranges, it helps to understand what you are really paying for. Three factors move the number more than anything else:
- Scope — how many pages, templates and unique layouts you need.
- Functionality — brochure content is cheap; logins, payments, bookings, dashboards and integrations are where engineering time adds up.
- Design depth — a polished, on-brand custom design costs more than a lightly themed template, but it is what makes you look credible.
Typical price ranges in 2026
These bands reflect what most agencies and studios charge worldwide for quality work. Rates vary by region and seniority, but the tiers are consistent:
Template / small business site
A handful of pages on a proven CMS with light customisation. Ideal for a new business that needs a credible online presence quickly. Expect a modest fixed price and a two-to-four week timeline.
Custom marketing website
A bespoke design, custom sections, blog, lead capture and SEO foundations. This is the sweet spot for companies that use their site to win business. Budgets rise with the number of unique page templates.
E-commerce store
Product catalogue, cart, checkout, payments, shipping and inventory. Cost scales with catalogue size and how many systems (ERP, fulfilment, CRM) need to connect. See our e-commerce development service for what a full build includes.
Web application or platform
Custom software with user accounts, dashboards, roles and business logic. This is a product, not a page — priced by feature set and delivered in milestones. Our custom software team scopes these carefully so budgets stay honest.
The costs people forget
The build is only part of the picture. Budget for these too:
- Hosting & domain — ongoing, usually monthly.
- Maintenance — updates, security patches and backups keep a site healthy. Our cloud & hosting plans cover this.
- Content — copywriting and photography make or break a site.
- Growth — SEO and ads turn a site into a lead engine.
Fixed price vs hourly
For most marketing sites and stores, a fixed price is better for you: you know the number before you commit, and the risk of overruns sits with the studio, not you. Hourly or retainer models fit ongoing product work where scope genuinely evolves. We publish fixed-price packages precisely so you are not left guessing.
How to get the right quote
The clearest quotes come from the clearest briefs. Before you ask for pricing, write down your goals, the pages you know you need, any must-have features, and examples of sites you admire. That short document alone can save you weeks and a lot of budget.
Ready to plan your build?
Tell us what you need and we will send back a transparent, itemised quote — no jargon, no surprise invoices. You can request a fixed-price quote or browse our fixed-price packages to see exactly what is included.