how much should building a website cost in 2025?

The web design world is a bit strange right now. You could receive a quote from a freelancer on Fiverr offering to build you a website for a hundred bucks. On the other end of the spectrum, you could receive a quote from a web development agency for 8, 9 or over 10k. So, how much should you really be spending on getting your website up and running (the right way)?

Let's get right to it:

In 2025, there are very few cases in which any small to mid-size business owner should be paying over $5k to have a website developed. In most cases, your website should only cost between $1-4K to build. There is a plethora of platforms that exist now, such as Wix, Squarespace, etc. that have pre-coded website templates that you can hire an (experienced) designer to create for you.

Very important to note:

Many web developers and coders out there (to clarify, I am a web designer, not a coder), will scoff at this, due to the belief that these pre-coded templates are low quality, and unsustainable for the long-term. While these platforms did indeed initially have a long way to go with respect to the coding and structural quality of the templates they were offering, they've really stepped up their game over the last 5 years. For most small to mid-size businesses, this is no longer an area of concern, particularly if you hire the right designer.

They will also scoff at this because they've likely had to re-build websites for clients that tried to go the cheap route and ended up with a horrible end product. Often times, this happens when people decide to find a freelancer on platforms such as Fiverr, or Upwork, who typically charge between $100 - $500 for a website. These freelancers are often either amateur, and looking to make a quick buck, or, they are inexperienced, and looking to start building their portfolios. In either case, it is something I would generally advise against, as you'll risk ending up with your business information lazily slapped into a generic template. Yuck.

As a professional web designer, I have had to re-build websites for clients that chose to go that route. But, I have also had to re-build websites for clients that went the opposite route. The truth is - these web design shortcomings are happening on both ends of the spectrum.

How do I avoid that?

As a general rule of thumb, if you're a small to mid-size business owner, I would advise the following:

• Try and find an experienced designer whose pricing reflects a 'sweet spot' in between those 2 extremes. (Typically, between 1-4K), but...

• Do NOT just consider pricing. Make sure you get to know the designer's level of experience and background. (Check out my other blog post "7 Things to Look for When Hiring a Web Designer", which will give you a list of specific things to pay attention to)

How much would my website cost if I found an experienced designer?

With experienced designers, costs may range depending on their levels of experience, and portfolio. With that being said, if we're talking about that sweet spot ($1-4K range):

• A simple landing page shouldn't cost you more than $500 -1K

• A single page website (which has all your sections/info broken down and organized on one page) shouldn't cost you more than $2,000 - $2,500

• A more complex, multi-page site may hit around the $2,500 - $4,000 range

Examples of things can increase the cost of your website:

• If you have an online retail shop

• If you have complicated booking softwares, or other complex platform integrations

• If your business is multi-faceted, and you have a LOT of extra pages or landing pages for ad campaigns

Also important to note:

An experienced web designer will likely offer more than just the design aspect. My web design packages, for example, will include:

• Design/ site construction

• Mobile optimization

• Content write-up

• Basic SEO set-up

• Domain migration/connection

Hiring the right web designer is an investment in your business’s success. By focusing on these key factors, you can find a designer who not only meets your immediate needs but also helps your brand thrive in the long term. Take your time, do your research, and choose someone who aligns with your vision and goals.