“How much does a website cost?” is the first question almost every business owner asks us, and the honest answer is: anywhere from a few hundred to many thousands of dollars. That range is not helpful on its own, so in this guide we break it down clearly: real price ranges for each type of website, what you get for the money, the yearly running costs most people forget, and how to avoid paying twice.
Quick answer
- Basic business website: from $400
- Professional custom website: $1,500 to $4,000
- E-commerce store: $2,000 to $6,000
- Custom web app or portal: from $8,000
- Running costs: domain about $10 to $20 a year, hosting about $3 to $11 a month, optional maintenance from $50 a month
Website cost by type (2026)
Here is what businesses typically pay when working with a professional agency like ThinkDex Systems. Prices for clients in Pakistan are shown separately.
| Website type | What you get | Price (USD) | Pakistan (PKR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic business website | 5 to 7 pages, WordPress, mobile-friendly design, contact form, WhatsApp button, basic SEO | $400 to $1,500 | 60,000 to 150,000 |
| Professional custom website | 10 to 20 pages, custom design, blog, speed optimization, full on-page SEO setup | $1,500 to $4,000 | 150,000 to 400,000 |
| E-commerce store | Shopify or WooCommerce, product setup, payments, shipping and order management | $2,000 to $6,000 | 200,000 to 600,000 |
| Custom web app or portal | User logins, dashboards, booking systems, integrations and custom features | From $8,000 | From 800,000 |
From $400
Perfect for small businesses, clinics, consultants and local shops that need a professional online presence fast.
$1,500+
For companies that want a unique brand, more pages, a blog and a site built to rank and convert.
$8,000+
For businesses that need software: portals, booking platforms, SaaS products and automation.
What affects the price of a website?
- Number of pages: every page needs design, content and testing.
- Design: a ready-made theme costs less than a fully custom design made for your brand.
- Features: online payments, bookings, multi-language, user accounts and integrations add development time.
- Content: professional copywriting, photos and videos cost extra if you do not have them.
- SEO and speed: technical SEO, schema markup and performance tuning take expert work but pay back through Google traffic.
- Timeline: rush projects need more people working at once.
Yearly running costs: hosting and domain
Your website is not a one-time expense. Every website needs a domain (your web address) and hosting (the server that stores and serves your site). These prices change often because providers run promotions, so always check the current price before buying. The figures below were checked in November 2026.
Domain name: about $10 to $20 per year
A .com domain usually costs around $10 to $15 per year at most well-known registrars. Many companies advertise a very cheap first year, sometimes just a few dollars, but the renewal price is what you pay every year after that, and at some registrars it can be over $20. Always compare renewal prices, not just the first-year offer. Many hosting plans also include a free domain for the first year.
Hosting: 1 year vs 4 years, which is better?
Most popular hosting companies, including Hostinger, which we often recommend for small business websites, offer plans for 1, 12, 24 or 48 months. The longer you commit, the lower the monthly price. At the time of writing, a popular entry-level plan costs roughly:
| Plan length | Intro price | Paid upfront |
|---|---|---|
| 12 months | about $3.99 / month | about $48 |
| 48 months (4 years) | about $2.99 / month | about $144 |
| Renewal after the intro period | about $10.99 / month | about $132 per year |
The real saving is in the renewal. With a 12-month plan, the low price lasts only one year, then you pay the full renewal rate for years two, three and four. Over four years that adds up to roughly $440. With a 48-month plan you lock in the low price for the whole period and pay roughly $144 in total.
Maintenance: from $50 per month (optional)
Websites need regular updates, backups and security checks. You can do this yourself, or choose a maintenance plan, typically $50 to $300 per month depending on the size of the site and how much support you need.
Freelancer vs agency vs DIY website builder
| Option | Typical cost | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY builder (Wix, Squarespace) | Monthly subscription | Very small budgets and simple pages | Your time, limited SEO control, ongoing fees |
| Freelancer | Varies widely | Small, well-defined projects | Availability, support after launch |
| Agency | From $400 with us | Businesses that want a reliable team, strategy, SEO and support | Choose one with real reviews and a clear quote |
The hidden cost of a cheap website
A very cheap website can end up being the most expensive one. Common problems we fix for new clients:
- Slow loading that drives visitors away and hurts Google rankings.
- No SEO setup, so the site never appears in search results.
- Not mobile-friendly, even though most visitors use phones.
- Hacked or broken sites because nothing was updated.
- The developer disappears and you do not own your domain, hosting or files.
Always make sure the domain and hosting are registered in your name and that you receive full access when the project is finished.
How to get an accurate quote
To get a clear price quickly, prepare a short list of:
- The pages you need and what your business does.
- 2 or 3 websites you like the look of.
- Features you need, such as booking, payments or WhatsApp chat.
- Whether you already have a logo, text and photos.
- Your budget range and deadline.
Get your website price in 24 hours
ThinkDex Systems builds fast, mobile-friendly, SEO-ready websites and online stores for businesses worldwide, starting from $400. Tell us what you need and get a free, clear quote with no hidden charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
With ThinkDex Systems, a basic business website starts from $400. It includes a mobile-friendly design, 5 to 7 pages, a contact form, WhatsApp button and basic SEO setup.
For an established business, a 4-year (48-month) plan is usually better value because the low introductory price is locked in for the whole period. With a 12-month plan you pay the higher renewal price from the second year. Prices change often, so check the provider's current offer.
A .com domain usually costs about $10 to $15 per year at well-known registrars. First-year deals can be cheaper, so always compare the renewal price.
The design and development are a one-time cost. Domain and hosting are yearly or multi-year costs, and maintenance is optional.
A basic business website usually takes 1 to 3 weeks. Larger custom websites and online stores take 3 to 8 weeks, and custom web apps take longer depending on features.