How much does a simple website cost in 2026?

A simple showcase website with 3-5 pages, responsive design, and a contact form typically costs between $500 and $2,000. If you use a DIY builder like Wix or Squarespace, you can get started for $15-40 per month, but you trade flexibility and performance for that lower upfront cost. A professionally built simple site gives you better SEO foundations, faster load times, and a design that actually reflects your brand.

Why are there such huge price differences between web developers?

Price differences come down to experience, process, and what is actually included. A $500 quote might get you a tweaked template with no SEO optimization, no performance tuning, and no post-launch support. A $5,000 quote for the same type of site likely includes custom design, mobile optimization, on-page SEO, speed optimization, security setup, and several rounds of revision. You are also paying for the developer's ability to anticipate problems before they become expensive to fix.

Is a cheap website worth it?

It depends on your goals. If you just need a basic online presence to validate a business idea, a $500-$1,000 site can work fine. But if your website needs to generate leads, rank on Google, or represent a serious business, cutting corners on development usually costs more in the long run. Slow sites lose visitors, poor SEO means no organic traffic, and a bad first impression drives potential clients to competitors. Think of it as an investment with measurable returns, not just an expense.

What is typically included in a website development quote?

A professional quote should include design (wireframes and mockups), development (coding the site), responsive optimization for mobile and tablet, basic on-page SEO, contact forms and integrations, CMS setup so you can edit content, testing across browsers, and the launch process. Watch out for quotes that do not mention hosting setup, SSL certificates, performance optimization, or post-launch support, because those are essentials, not extras.

How long does it take to build a website?

A simple showcase site takes 2-4 weeks. An advanced multi-page site with custom features takes 4-8 weeks. E-commerce sites typically require 6-12 weeks depending on the product catalog size and payment integrations. Custom web applications can take 3-6 months or more. The biggest variable is usually content: developers often wait on client text, images, and feedback. Having your content ready before development starts can cut the timeline significantly.

What are the monthly costs after a website launches?

After launch, expect to pay $5-50 per month for hosting depending on your traffic and server needs, $10-15 per year for your domain name, and optionally $50-200 per month for ongoing maintenance, security updates, and content changes. If you want active SEO work, budget an additional $300-2,000 per month depending on competition in your market. SSL certificates are free through Let's Encrypt, so do not let anyone charge you extra for that.

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What Is the Real Cost of a Website in 2026? Complete Pricing Guide

How much does a website really cost in 2026? From $500 showcase sites to $50K+ custom platforms, this transparent pricing guide breaks down every cost factor, hidden fees, and what you should actually expect to pay. Written by a developer who believes in honest quotes.

12/20/2025By Mohamed Sahbi

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WebCraftDev

I build digital tools that bring in customers and keep them coming back. From first conversation to post-launch support, every project is built to perform.

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