60 Second Summary
In today’s digital age, an online presence is crucial for business success. With 75% of consumers shopping online at least monthly, websites have become essential for driving revenue and building brand reputation.
Websites are powerful marketing tools that leverage SEO, email, and direct-to-site traffic to attract and engage customers.
Although website development involves an upfront investment, a well-crafted site offers substantial ROI through increased visibility and customer interaction.
In the following sections, we’ll explore different website types, technologies, and key factors impacting website development costs in 2025.
Many things are being considered while evaluating the website development costs as the price depends on multiple factors. This article will share key factors affecting the cost of website development:
Organizations often get confused by the cost of a website, which varies greatly and is dependent on a variety of factors. The type of website is a crucial consideration.
Here’s the cost of website development based on different types of websites:
Type of Website | Cost to develop, $ | Time, hours |
Landing page | 5000 | 80 |
Portfolio website | 6000 | 100 |
Blog website | 7000 | 120 |
News website | 7000 | 120 |
Corporate website | 10,000 | 160 |
Directory website | 17,000 | 300 |
eCommerce website | 60,000 | 1000 |
Web portal | 70,000 | 1200 |
Educational website | 60,000 | 1000 |
SaaS website | 75,000 | 1200 |
Entertainment website | 60,000 | 1000 |
Marketplace website | 73,000 | 1300 |
Social media website | 120,000 | 2000 |
Surprise and Agora are some examples of custom landing pages.
Pixar, Apple, and BMW are some corporate websites.
Trello, Slack, Figma, and Dropbox, are some of the SaaS websites whereas, Farfetch and Shopify sites are e-commerce websites.
Businesses can build the same functional website for $200 to $200,000, depending on the technology stack and non-functional requirements, such as load time, page speed, performance, security, and so forth.
A few development factors that are important for any website are mentioned below:
UI/UX is very important to grab users' attention. To make the website visually compelling, you can use tools like Adobe Creative Cloud, Zeplin, and InVision.
A great design can be achieved by following three stages: Research to study the market and audience, Wireframe to map the layout, and Prototype to visualize the final product. The cost of UI/UX design depth and project score. Generally, it costs around $750 to $4,000.
Do You Know: Around 38% users stop engaging with the website if they find the layout is not attractive.
Frontend gives life to UI/UX design. There are tools, like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, and Vue, which are used to bring complex designs into reality.
The more advanced visuals you want to add to your website through responsive design and animation, the more it will cost. The front-end development cost generally ranges from $1000 to $12,500, depending on the complexity of the visuals.
The backend development is responsible for managing databases, server logic, and app functionality. It also ensures smooth performance and future scalability of the website.
The tools used for backend services are Node.js, Django, and Laravel, and it typically costs around $4,000 to $12,500. However, the third-party tool integration, complex data handling, and custom queries significantly impact backend development costs.
An admin panel is required to manage the content of the website with ease and effectiveness. There are website management software like WordPress or Shopify, but it has some limitations in functionality and security.
A customised admin panel offers greater flexibility, better features, and stronger protections. Development costs typically range from $3,000 to $9,000+.
Multiple essential or basic requirements need to be fulfilled while developing and rolling out a website.
These requirements include registering a domain name, obtaining an SSL certificate, looking for a website hosting service provider, deciding upon your design needs, and opting for the most suitable options.
The cost of these services largely depends on the company’s goals and project requirements. Some of these basic costs include:
A domain is the unique identity of your website. There are platforms, like Bluehost, GoDaddy, Hostinger, and Interserver, which help you find the right name for your website. There can be premium domains, especially .com, which can cost your high price due to high demand.
Cost:
Expert Tip: Avoid repeatedly searching for the same domain name on registrar websites. Domain prices are often dynamic and influenced by search frequency—frequent lookups can signal demand and trigger price hikes
An SSL certificate is important for the safety and security of your website. It protects users' sensitive data available on your website. Providers like Comodo, DigiCert, and SSL.com make sure that your website is secured from any external threats. A valid SSL adds an ‘s’ to your site’s URL (https) and displays a padlock, assuring visitors of authenticity.
Cost:
Expert Tip: Use free SSL certificates from Certbot—they automatically renew and help you eliminate SSL certificate costs entirely
Web hosting is important, and make sure your website is accessible and keeps running smoothly. There are services like MochaHost, A2 Hosting, DreamHost, AWS, and Azure that offer different plans based on traffic requirements.
Cost:
Expert Tip: For small to medium websites, avoid expensive cloud platforms like AWS, which are designed for high-scale, complex applications. Instead, opt for cost-effective providers like MochaHost, A2 Hosting, or DreamHost, with plans starting at $100–$500/year. These are ideal for steady traffic and help you avoid surprise bills—upgrade only when your traffic truly demands it.
Website design is crucial—it defines your brand’s first impression. You can build it yourself using tools like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace, or get it professionally done by hiring a freelancer or web agency. Each option varies in cost and flexibility depending on your needs.
Cost:
Expert Tip: For small websites, save costs by using DIY builders like Wix or Squarespace—plans typically range from $100–$500/year. For complex or custom sites, hiring a professional designer ($30–$100+/hour) may be worth the investment. Choose based on your site's complexity and your own comfort with design tools
Regular website maintenance is essential to ensure a smooth user experience and prevent bugs or technical issues. Key tasks include CMS updates, security audits, version upgrades, and managing customer support tools—all of which keep your site secure, fast, and reliable.
Post-launch, businesses typically choose from three types of maintenance plans:
Choose the right plan based on your website’s complexity, risk level, and available support resources
Cost:
Expert Tip: Use a Simple Maintenance Plan if your website has low complexity and minimal traffic. It’s budget-friendly and covers essential updates—perfect for small businesses or early-stage websites.
Expert Tip: Choose a Hyper Care Plan only when launching high-risk, high-traffic websites where downtime can be costly. It provides round-the-clock monitoring and rapid response, but comes at a premium—best used selectively
Expert Tip: Choose a Rollback Plan with Rollover Minutes over a costly Hyper Care Plan—you’ll save money and gain flexible, on-demand support.
Expert Tip: For better responsiveness, opt for a Near-Shore Maintenance Plan instead of Off-Shore if your users are in the same time zone—it ensures timely support and easier collaboration.
The complexity of a website also plays an important role in determining website development costs. Here are the basic categorizations based on complexity:
A simple website with 15 pages stacked with features like CMS integration, UI/UX design from scratch, CMS Integration, and a basic backend database would cost between $15,000 to $25,000.
The development team for such kind of a website is small and would include a full-stack developer(s), a project manager, a QA engineer, and a UX/UI designer.
With pages including up to 50 and engagement of 1.5 million visitors per month, complex websites are built with regular content optimization.
These kinds of websites consist of features like custom UI/UX design, SEO optimization, third-party integrations, and a robust database.
Websites of medium complexity require an average time of 4-6 months to be built and the costs involved are around $30,000 to $80,000.
The development team consists of a business analyst (BA), a project manager, UI/UX designers, QA testers, front-end, and back-end developers, along a marketing team.
Complex websites make use of multifunctional integrations, a strong design, and a reliable cloud system.
These websites include various databases, a high-quality UI/UX design, sophisticated front-end interaction, and a huge and highly skilled development and maintenance team.
The average cost of building a complex website varies from $80,000 to $300,000 and takes up to 9-12 months to be developed.
Also Read: AI revolutionizing the world of web development
Canva and LinkedIn are some examples of complex websites.
A company can hire an in-house team, a freelancer or a web development company to build its website. Prices of the first two options depend upon the company's salary bands and the current freelance rates.
However, suppose a business hire a web developer to assist the former achieve its technical business goals. In that case, costs largely depend upon the region in which the web development service providers operate.
Following is the graphic representation of the costs of web development according to the region of the web development company:
The region | The cost per hour |
Australia | $80 – $150 |
The USA | $100 – $350 |
The UK | $50 – $170 |
Western Europe | $65 – $170 |
Eastern Europe | $50 – $60 |
Canada | $90 – $250 |
India | $18 – $180 |
Latin America | $30 – $450 |
Indonesia | $25+ |
Estonia | $50 – $60 |
Also Read: How Much Does It Cost To Create An App?
There are some extra or additional costs involved in web development. These extra costs comprise the additional features and functionalities added to the website as looking including the maintenance of large websites.
Some of these additional costs:
Plugins are used to add functions to your website. Whether you have subscribed to a website-building platform or are using WordPress, add-ons known as plugins are a must. These plugs enable functionalities such as contact forms, on-page testimonials, newsletter subscriptions, etc.
Plugins are most commonly used to add e-commerce or multilingual functionality to your WordPress website.
There are loads of free versions as well as paid plugins. Therefore, the cost of plugins can be $0 to $100+ per year, depending on the company’s needs.
Similar to plugins, themes can also be chosen from the WordPress theme directory. Some basic themes are free and the stylist/premium ones chosen from the directory come with a cost.
Premium theme costs vary from $50-$200. However, this charge is paid initially as a one-time cost and the theme can be customized, edited, and used at discretion in the future.
A large website needs constant attention and management. Hence, a webmaster and content manager can be hired in case of a large, high-functional website to manage, edit, and update the content.
These positions can be full-time, part-time, or on a contractual basis. Accordingly, costs may vary. In some instances, the costs could involve some hours spent on work per month, or a full-time employee could cost around $6,500 per month.
Therefore, a website development process involves multiple developments, essential as well as additional costs. It entirely depends upon the business to choose what design and features best suit its project requirements. Furthermore, the mode of development should be chosen clearly. While in-house hiring could be an expensive and elaborate endeavor, freelancing has its shortcomings like fleet threats, high costs, and security gaps. Know more about the engagement models to make the right choice!
Hiring a web development company seems to be the best bet when it comes to web development. With years of industry experience and domain expertise, a web development company can complete the job with proficiency and optimization.
Looking for a reliable web development company? Big Oh’s industry experience of more than 15 years and highly skilled and analytical development team can help a business achieve its goals in a faster time.
Building a website involves several layers—core development, essential features, and optional add-ons—all of which impact cost and complexity. Each layer adds to the overall complexity and cost, making it crucial to align your choices with your business goals, technical needs, and available budget.
Hiring a web development company seems to be the best bet when it comes to web development. With years of industry experience and domain expertise, a web development company can complete the job with proficiency and optimisation. While in-house hiring offers control, it often comes with higher costs and longer ramp-up time. Freelancers, though flexible, may pose risks like inconsistent delivery, lack of accountability, and security concerns.
That’s where BigOhTech comes in.
With deep domain expertise, proven delivery frameworks, and flexible engagement models, BigOhTech provides end-to-end web development solutions—balancing quality, speed, and cost. Whether you're a startup or an enterprise, we tailor solutions that fit your vision and scale with your growth.
Looking for a reliable web development company? Big Oh’s industry experience of more than 15 years and highly skilled and analytical development team can help a business achieve its goals in a faster time.
Website development in India could cost between $200 - $80,000. The costs largely depend upon the technology stack, Scope & Features and non-functional requirements
Website development in the USA could cost between $500 - $200,000. The costs largely depend upon the technology stack, Scope & Features and non-functional requirements
The future of web development is heavily reliant on the technologies that are driving the field of custom software development. The future of web development will be Progressive Web App (PWA), Single Page Application (SPA), and Serverless architecture.
It is also evident that the majority of Web portals incorporate Web 3.0 adoption and emerging technologies such as AI, Blockchain, Metaverse, and IOT.
Custom websites are websites that are programmed and built from scratch. Some benefits of custom websites are:
Custom websites are built from scratch and require a lot of technical expertise and skills. They have additional features and functionalities tailored to business and project needs and thus involve higher costs.
The time taken to develop a custom website depends on the complexity of the website. A basic website takes around 2 months, medium websites take 4-6 months, whereas complex websites take 9-12 months to be built.
The most affordable way to build a website is by using website builders like Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress.com. These platforms eliminate the need for custom coding and significantly reduce development time and cost.
To reduce hosting expenses, opt for minimal hosting plans such as shared hosting or low-tier VPS options. Providers like Hostinger or DigitalOcean offer budget-friendly plans that work well for small to medium websites.
You can get free SSL certificates. Use Certbot with Let’s Encrypt to get free, auto-renewing SSL certificates, ensuring your site is secure without adding extra costs.
Design costs can be lowered by choosing from pre-designed themes or templates instead of creating a custom UI/UX. Most CMS platforms offer a wide range of free and premium themes to choose from.
Avoid building all features at once. Start with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), focusing only on core functionalities. This approach helps save upfront costs and allows gradual scaling.
While technical expertise is essential, it’s equally important to assess other key qualities. Look for someone who is skilled in time management, problem-solving, and meeting deadlines. Strong communication is a must—you want a developer who keeps you informed without needing constant follow-ups.