If you’re anything like we are, the first thing you think about when it’s time to hire an expert for anything is, “How much is this going to cost?”
So, if you’ve recently asked yourself that question about web design services, then know that you’re not alone.
Web design company pricing can feel all over the place — one company quotes a couple hundred bucks while another wants thousands for what seems (to you, anyway) like the same thing.
So, what’s the deal here?
Unfortunately, the truth of it is that web design pricing isn’t a one-size-fits-all thing. There are alot of factors that influence the cost, from the complexity of your site to the features you’re going to need. And understanding these pricing models before starting your search can help you avoid unexpected surprises and make sure that you get the best bang for your buck.
Feeling overwhelmed yet? No worries, we’re here to help. In this guide, we’re breaking down the key factors that impact web design pricing so you can make an informed decision for your business and find the perfect fit for your next web design project.
Let’s get started.
Factors That Influence Web Design Pricing
So, what makes one website cost more than another?
Quite a bit, actually. Web design pricing isn’t just about how “pretty” a website looks, after all. It’s about how the website functions, how complex its features are, and how long it takes a company to plan, design, and build it from the ground up.
Here are some other major factors that decide how much you’ll pay:
- Project Scope & Complexity — What kind of website do you need? A simple brochure-style website with only a handful of pages is going to cost a lot less than a custom-built eCommerce site with interactive features and PayPal integration. So, do you need a basic site to showcase your business, or are you looking for something more advanced with user logins, payment processing, or complex animations? The bigger and more intricate the project, the higher the cost.
- Template vs. Custom Design — Want a fast and budget-friendly solution? A website built using a premade template ends up looking a bit generic but it does keep costs down. However, if you’re looking for something unique that fits your brand, a custom design is the way to go—just be prepared to pay more for the extra design and development work that it will take.
- Number of Pages — A five-page website will obviously be cheaper than a 50-page one. More pages mean more content, design work, and development time, which adds up in cost.
- Features & Functionality — Do you need an online booking system, an interactive map, or a membership portal? Additional features like those take more development hours, which will impact your final price tag. Even something as simple as an image gallery or contact form can affect costs depending on the level of customization you’re looking for.
- SEO & Mobile Optimization — Search engine optimization (SEO) and mobile responsiveness are crucial in today’s world. If you want your site to rank well on Google and look great on any screen size, you’ll need proper SEO implementation and mobile-friendly design. Some web designers might include these services in their pricing, while others charge extra for them.
These are just some of the biggest pricing factors, but every project is unique.
That’s why it’s important to know exactly what you need before you start requesting quotes. Once you’re properly informed, it’s easier to compare pricing and find the best web design company for your budget.
How Do Web Design Companies Charge?
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Web design companies also don’t all follow the same kind of pricing structure.
While you’re searching for your best-fit partner, keep in mind the best pricing options for your budget, the complexity of your project, and the flexibility you want from your provider. Here are some of the most common pricing models to get you started:
1. Hourly Rates
Some web design companies (or web design freelancers) charge by the hour with rates that range widely depending on the designer’s experience, location, and skill level.
Freelancers and smaller agencies usually charge on the lower end of the range while high-end design agencies charge at the higher end and, sometimes, significantly more.
Best For: Hourly rate pricing is best for small projects (minor design tweaks, fixing bugs, updating content, adding new features), site updates, or businesses that need continuous improvements over time rather than a one-and-done project.
2. Fixed Project Pricing
Plenty of web design companies also offer a fixed price for an entire project.
This model works well when you already have a clearly defined scope of work that you need done, and gives you the advantage of knowing your total costs upfront. However, if your needs change during the process, expect additional charges to be added.
Best For: Businesses looking for a predictable budget and that know exactly what they want from the get-go.
3. Subscription-Based Pricing
Some web design agencies offer web design as a service and charge a monthly subscription fee instead of a large upfront payment or hourly rate.
These subscription plans usually cover web design, hosting, maintenance, and updates for a flat monthly rate — ranging from $50 to $500+ per month depending on the level of service and the complexity of your site.
Best For: Businesses that prefer a low upfront cost and ongoing support over a one-time design project.
4. Retainer-Based Pricing
For businesses that need regular website updates or ongoing improvements, some web design agencies offer retainers, meaning you pay a set fee each month in exchange for a certain number of design and development hours.
However, if your web design projects are inconsistent or unpredictable, committing to a retainer may not be a cost-effective choice, since you’ll still end up paying for unused hours.
Best For: Companies that need frequent website updates, new landing pages, or continuous site improvements.
How Much Does an Average Web Design Project Cost?
Alright.
Let’s talk some numbers.
We design costs can vary a LOT depending on the factors we discussed above and who you decide to hire. So, here’s a general breakdown of what you can expect to pay based on different types of websites:
Basic Website ($500 – $5,000)
A simple, no-frills website like a portfolio, personal blog, or basic landing page. For something like this, you can likely get by with a template-based design or DIY website builder like Wix or Squarespace or WordPress.
Typical Features:
- 3–5 pages
- Pre-made template
- Basic contact form
- No custom functionality
Small Business Website ($3,000 – $10,000)
Most small businesses need something a little more complex than a basic site. A custom WordPress or Squarespace site built by a professional web designer falls into this category.
Typical Features:
- 5–15 pages
- Light custom design
- SEO optimization
- Mobile-friendly design
- Blog integration
Custom Business Website ($10,000 – $50,000+)
This price range is quite a big jump from the one before it, but if you need a fully custom website designed from scratch, you’ll have to pay more!
These sites are usually built for larger businesses that require custom branding, more advanced functionalities, and a high-performance customer experience.
Typical Features:
- 15+ pages
- Completely custom design (no templates)
- Advanced integrations (CRM, automation, etc.)
- Custom animations and interactive elements
- Ongoing maintenance and support
eCommerce Website ($5,000 – $75,000)
For businesses who sell products online!
eCommerce sites are pricey because they require functionalities like product pages, shopping carts, secure checkout systems, and payment gateways. Pricing for eCommerce sites can vary widely based on the number of products listed, the kinds of integrations it has, and the level of customization needed.
Typical Features:
- Product catalog with 10–1,000+ products
- Payment processing (Stripe, PayPal, etc.)
- Inventory management integration
- Custom product filters & search
- Advanced security features
Enterprise-Level Website ($25,000 – $100,000+)
Large corporations and big-name brands usually require high-end, high-performing websites with enterprise-level security, extensive integrations, and fully custom development.
That’s because these websites have to be able to handle a huge amount of traffic, provide multi-user access, and support more complex business operations like AI-driven analytics, custom CRM integrations, and cloud-based infrastructure.
Typical Features:
- Hundreds of pages
- Custom software integrations
- Scalable infrastructure
- High-end security features
- Ongoing maintenance & development team
Other Potential Costs to Consider
Building your website is one thing, but it’s not everything!
Here are some additional costs to consider when tallying up your final bill:
- Domain name & hosting — $10–$100 per year
- SEO & digital marketing — $500–$5,000 per month
- Website maintenance & updates — $50–$500 per month
How to Choose the Right Web Design Company
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Finding a web design company to fit your budget is just part of the equation.
Because, at the end of the day, you don’t just want an agency that you can afford (though you definitely do want that), you want to find a team that understands your business goals, has the right kind of experience, and has a proven track record of delivering high-quality work.
And with so many options out there, it would be very helpful to have a clear checklist to go by to guide your decision.
So … here’s a clear checklist!
1. Do Your Research
Before reaching out to any web design company, first take some time to figure out your needs.
Do you need a simple website? A large eCommerce platform? A fully custom site with plenty of integrations?
Whatever it is, having a clear idea of your goals will help you to narrow down your options. Once you have your goals in mind, look up potential web design companies that match your needs.
Check their websites, read up on their reviews on platforms like Clutch or Google, and see if they’ve worked with businesses like yours or in your industry. What you’re looking for is a reputable company with positive feedback, clear communication, and a strong and credible digital presence of its own.
2. Evaluate Portfolios
A web design company’s portfolio is a great way to get a feel for its style, quality, and versatility.
Check out their past projects to see if their work and their style would be a good fit for your brand. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Do their designs look up-to-date, professional, and user-friendly?
- Have they built websites for brands in your industry before?
- Can you see several different styles, or do all their projects look cookie-cutter to you?
- Are their websites fast, responsive, and mobile-friendly?
If you like what you see, that’s a good sign and you can move this company into your “maybe” pile. If you don’t, it’s best to keep looking.
3. Check for Hidden Fees
Some web design companies might try to hook you with low upfront pricing, not letting on that the final bill contains a whole lot of extra charges for things like revisions, hosting, SEO, or ongoing maintenance.
Before you sign anything, ask yourself a few questions:
- What’s included in the quoted price?
- How many revisions are allowed before additional charges apply?
- Are there ongoing costs for hosting, updates, or support?
You want an honest and transparent company that clearly outlines their costs upfront to avoid unpleasant surprises down the line.
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4. Verify References and Portfolio
A great web design company should have satisfied clients who are more than happy to vouch for them. As you narrow down your search, don’t be afraid to ask for references or case studies that show off their results.
If you get to speak to any past clients featured in their portfolio, ask them:
- Were they satisfied with the final website?
- Was the project completed on time and within budget?
- How was the company’s communication style and responsiveness?
- Did you get hit with any unexpected fees?
If a company doesn’t want to provide references, then that’s a red flag. A reputable web design company should be proud to connect you with past clients!
5. Ask for a Demo
If it’s possible, request a demo or sample work before you commit to making a decision.
Some web design companies offer mockups or wireframes to give you an idea of what your website will look like before any complex design or development starts. Other companies might give you a trial period or a smaller test project to show off their work before you jump into a full redesign project.
A demo will make sure that the web design company’s style is a fit for you, as well as demonstrate this provider’s commitment to earning your business!
<div class="c-blog_comp-cta cc-component-1"><div class="c-blog_comp-cta-left"><div class="c-blog_comp-cta-left-wrap"><img src="https://global-uploads.webflow.com/61cdf3c5e0b8155f19e0105b/6369722e59155470b6840033_Potential-clients.png" loading="lazy" alt="" class="c-blog_comp-cta-left-img"></div></div><div class="c-blog_comp-cta-right"><div class="c-blog_comp-content"><div class="c-text-wrapper cc-mb-32"><div class="c-title-4 cc-bold"><strong>Want to save money without sacrificing the quality?</strong></div></div><div class="c-text-wrapper"><div class="c-text-2">Say goodbye to traditional, expensive agencies and unreliable marketplaces. Say hello to Designity.<br></div></div></div><div class="c-blog_comp-wrapper"><a href="/pricing" target="_blank" class="c-button cc-primary cc-inverted w-button"><strong>Get Your 2-Week Trial</strong></a></div></div></div>
The Website of Your Dreams Starts at Designity
If you’re ready to start your search for that perfect web design partner who can give you a site that works for your business without emptying your wallet, then that’s great!
Before you go, however, allow us to give you one more recommendation.
Why not partner with Designity for your next web design project?
Designity is an innovative Creative as a Service platform that is made up of only the top 3% of all of the talented creatives who apply, meaning that our creative community consists of the best of the best in fields like web design, graphic design, coding, mobile app design and development, motion graphics, copywriting, SEO, digital marketing and more — and all for an affordable and predictable price that won’t break your budget.
Designity offers three subscription pricing plans starting at $5,995 a month and designed to fit your budget and your creative needs, allowing you to get whatever web design projects your brand needs for a flat-rate monthly pricing with no retainers and zero hidden fees. Check out our pricing page to find a plan that works best for your needs. Each Designity plan offers a top-notch creative team led by a Creative Director, access 100+ design and marketing services, and unlimited requests and revisions so you get exactly what your brand needs.
Why not check out our web design and coding page and portfolio to see how Designity’s web design and development experts have been able to make a difference for brands just like yours? If you like what you see, go ahead and book your demo call. We’ll get you started with a two-week, no-obligation trial so you can test-drive our web design services and see for yourself why Designity is the last web design partner you’ll ever need to find.
Are you ready to build a website that drives results for your business?
