Web development
How much does a website cost, and what drives the price?
The cost of a website depends on scope: number of pages, custom design versus a template, whether it includes ecommerce, content and technical SEO. Two proposals with very different prices are usually solving different problems, not the same job.
What you're really buying
A website isn't a file: it's a system that has to load fast, be found on Google, look good on any screen and turn visits into conversations. The price changes depending on how many of those pieces are included.
The variables that move the budget
- Number of pages and distinct templates.
- Custom design versus a pre-built theme.
- Ecommerce: catalog, payments, shipping and integrations.
- Content: who writes the copy and produces the photos.
- Technical SEO, measurement and schema.
- Ongoing maintenance and support.
How to compare two proposals
Always ask for the same breakdown: pages included, revision rounds, who's responsible for content, timelines, what happens with hosting and the domain, and what support after launch includes. The price difference is almost always hiding in those lines.
The right question
Instead of "how much does it cost", ask "how much is a conversation with a potential customer worth". If the site generates opportunities consistently, the investment is judged like any other acquisition channel, not as a one-time expense.