We've all heard stories about million-dollar websites and "$500 student specials". Let's cut through the marketing noise and look at what web development really costs in 2025 and what drives those prices.
Key takeaways 👌
Development costs depend not just on site size but technical complexity - from a simple business card site to a full-scale portal with payment processing
Choosing between a freelancer and an agency is always a balance of price, speed, and quality of results
Additional expenses for SEO, technical support, and content can reach up to 50% of development costs
What does a website really cost?
In 2025, the price range is huge. A simple landing page might cost $1,500, while a complex e-commerce site could run over $50,000. Why such a difference? It's like construction: building a kiosk is one thing, a shopping mall is another entirely.
Moreover, development costs are just the tip of the iceberg. After launch, you need to pay for hosting, update content, and maintain security. If you don't factor in these ongoing costs upfront, your budget might be in for an unpleasant surprise.
Here are the real prices:
- Landing page: $1,500-5,000
- Corporate website: $5,000-25,000
- E-commerce site: $10,000-50,000
- Complex portals: $25,000 and up
Interesting fact 👀
By 2025, a third of companies will start using AI for website creation. Sounds cool, but for now, robots can only help with simple tasks – humans still do the heavy lifting.
What affects the price?
It's just like buying a car - basic trim is one price, fully loaded is another entirely. Same with websites: want client portals? Online payments? Smart catalog search? Each feature means additional development work.
Design also impacts the price. You can take a ready-made template and tweak it a bit - that's cheaper. Or you can order custom design with animations and complex graphics - that's a whole different budget. Important to understand: every little detail that seems simple actually requires time for development and testing.
Cutting corners on website development is like buying cheap sneakers - you're happy about the price at first, then spend six months at the shoe repair shop. Better to do it right the first time than fix it later
A cheap website is like an ill-fitting suit. It might be new, but it's uncomfortable to wear and looks bad. Professional development is worth the money precisely because it considers all business needs.
— Jason Fried, founder of Basecamp
Freelancer or agency?
Freelancers are usually cheaper and more flexible. You can find a talented developer at a reasonable price. But there are risks: if they get sick, the project stalls; if they disappear, you're back to square one.
Agencies cost more but are more reliable. They have entire teams: designers, programmers, testers. If one person is out, another steps in. Plus, agencies usually have portfolios and legal accountability. However, their prices can be 2-3 times higher than freelancers.
What other costs should you expect?
Creating a website is just the beginning. After launch, regular expenses kick in:
SEO optimization:
- Basic setup: $1,500-2,500
- Monthly promotion: from $1,000
- SEO content writing: $50-100 per article
Technical support. A website is like a car - it needs regular maintenance. Engine updates, security protection, backups - all these cost money:
- Basic support: $250-750/month
- Comprehensive maintenance: from $1,500
Content also requires investment:
- Product photography: $100-250 per item
- Content writing: from $50 per page
- Video production: from $750 per video
Wondering how to save on website development without sacrificing quality? In our article What is outstaffing and how it helps your business, we explain how outstaffing helps create great websites for less money
Recommended reading 🤓
"The Art of SEO", Eric Enge, Stephan Spencer
The bible of search optimization that explains SEO from basic concepts to advanced strategies.
On Amazon
"Learning Web Design", Jennifer Niederst Robbins
The perfect guide for those who want to understand how modern websites work under the hood.
On AmazonConclusion
Creating a website is an investment. You can save money and get a basic online business card. Or you can build a full-fledged business tool. It all depends on your goals and budget. The key is understanding what you're paying for and not falling for suspiciously low prices. After all, your website is your business's face on the internet. Better to spend more time choosing the right contractor than apologizing to customers for glitchy functionality later.
Artyom Dovgopol
Know what websites and cars have in common? You can buy a Toyota or a Mercedes. Both will get you there, but the comfort, reliability, and experience will be completely different 😉