Website cost calculator.

Estimate what a website project actually costs — project type, design level, features, and tech stack all factored in. Built using real market data, not guesses.

Why honest estimates matter.

Most website quote pages tell you nothing because real cost depends on a dozen variables. This calculator walks through them so you walk away with a budget you can defend.

  1. 01
    Cuts through the price chaos."How much for a website?" gets answers from $500 to $100,000+. This calculator narrows the range to your actual project.
  2. 02
    Sets a realistic budget.Quotes that come in 2× your expectations are usually because the original estimate was too low — not because anyone's gouging.
  3. 03
    Surfaces what you didn't think of.Most people forget features like SEO, payments, multi-language, or content migration. The calculator forces them onto the list.
  4. 04
    Anchors the conversation.Walking into a discovery call with a budget range turns "ballpark me" into a productive scoping discussion.

Build your estimate.

Pre-built theme with your branding and content

Business Website (5-15 pages) includes 15 pages. Extras at $200 each.

Widely supported, large plugin ecosystem

What actually moves website cost.

Project Scope & Page Count

A simple landing page costs far less than a full e-commerce store. Each additional page requires design, development, content, and testing time.

Design Complexity

Template-based sites are affordable because the layout is pre-built. Fully custom designs require wireframing, prototyping, and multiple revision rounds.

Features & Integrations

Payment processing, user accounts, booking systems, and CMS setups all add cost. More integrations mean more development and testing time.

Technology Stack

WordPress sites are cheaper to build but may need more maintenance. Modern stacks like Next.js cost more upfront but deliver better performance and SEO.

Content & SEO

If you need professional copywriting, photography, or a full SEO audit, expect these to add to the project cost.

Agency vs. freelancer vs. DIY.

DIY (Website Builder) — 1-4 weeks$0 - $500
Freelance Developer — 2-8 weeks$2,000 - $15,000
Web Agency — 6-16 weeks$10,000 - $100,000+

DIY (Website Builder)

$0 - $500 · 1-4 weeks

Pros

  • + Cheapest option
  • + Full control over timeline
  • + No external dependencies

Cons

  • × Limited customization
  • × Generic look
  • × Your time is not free
  • × Poor SEO defaults

Freelance Developer

$2,000 - $15,000 · 2-8 weeks

Pros

  • + Personalized attention
  • + Flexible and collaborative
  • + Often more affordable than agencies
  • + Direct communication

Cons

  • × Single point of failure
  • × Variable quality
  • × Limited ongoing support

Web Agency

$10,000 - $100,000+ · 6-16 weeks

Pros

  • + Full team (design, dev, QA, PM)
  • + Established process
  • + Ongoing support contracts
  • + Enterprise-grade work

Cons

  • × Expensive
  • × Slower communication
  • × May not prioritize small clients
  • × Rigid process

Why Next.js costs more (and pays back).

Modern stacks carry a 20–50% premium over WordPress builds. Here's what you get for the difference.

  1. 01
    Superior Performance.Next.js renders pages on the server, delivering near-instant load times. Google uses page speed as a ranking factor, so faster sites rank higher.
  2. 02
    Better SEO Out of the Box.Server-side rendering means search engines see fully rendered HTML instead of empty JavaScript shells. This gives Next.js sites an edge in organic rankings.
  3. 03
    Scalability.Next.js handles traffic spikes gracefully with static generation and edge caching. A WordPress site under heavy load often crashes.
  4. 04
    Developer Experience.TypeScript, component-based architecture, and modern tooling mean fewer bugs, faster development, and easier maintenance long-term.
  5. 05
    Long-Term Cost.While the upfront cost is higher, Next.js sites typically cost less to maintain. No plugin updates to break things, no security patches for PHP vulnerabilities.

Frequently asked questions.

How much does a basic website cost in 2026?+

A basic business website with 5-10 pages typically costs between $3,000 and $10,000 when built by a professional freelancer. Template-based designs sit at the lower end, while custom designs push the price higher. DIY website builders like Squarespace start at $12-40/month but offer limited customization.

Why do web development prices vary so much?+

Website costs vary based on design complexity, number of features, technology stack, developer experience, and geographic location. A WordPress site built from a template costs less than a custom Next.js application with user authentication and payment processing. You are paying for the developer’s expertise, not just their time.

Should I use WordPress or a modern framework like Next.js?+

WordPress is the right choice for content-heavy sites where non-technical users need to update content frequently. Next.js is better for performance-critical sites, web applications, and businesses that want the best possible SEO and page speed. Next.js sites typically cost 20-50% more upfront but deliver measurably better performance.

What is included in a website cost estimate?+

A professional website estimate typically includes discovery and planning, UI/UX design, front-end and back-end development, responsive design (mobile-friendly), basic SEO setup, testing, and deployment. Content creation, ongoing maintenance, and hosting are usually billed separately.

How long does it take to build a website?+

A simple landing page takes 2-4 weeks. A business website with 5-15 pages takes 4-8 weeks. E-commerce stores take 6-12 weeks. Complex web applications take 8-16 weeks or more. These timelines assume a single developer working on your project. Agencies with larger teams may deliver faster but at a higher cost.

More tools to plan your project.

  1. SEO ROI Calculator

    Calculate the return on investment for your SEO efforts and see how organic traffic translates to revenue.

  2. Freelance Rate Calculator

    Figure out what to charge as a freelancer based on your expenses, desired income, and billable hours.

  3. Consulting Rate Calculator

    Calculate your ideal consulting rate based on experience, market rates, and value delivered.

Ready for a real quote?

This calculator gives you a defensible range. For an exact quote on your specific project — including scoping, timeline, and what to build first — let's talk.

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Built by Taro Schenker — full-stack developer who works with startups and local businesses.