How much does a website cost?

Everyone wants to know “How much does a website cost?” This video explains the various factors that affect the price you'll pay to get your website up and running.

Video transcript

Wondering how much to budget for your website? This video highlights the options and costs for getting your business online.

There are three basic things you need to get an online presence: a domain name, a website, and a hosting account. The cost can range from a few dollars to thousands of dollars, depending on the approach you take and your website needs.

One approach is to buy an all-in-one bundle. All-in-one bundles are usually based on a fixed monthly or annual fee and include a domain, a website development tool or service, and a hosting plan to get your site live on the web. On the flip side is the ala carte approach - where you purchase your website products individually from one or more providers.

No matter your approach, be sure your budget includes a line item for ongoing website management and updates because as your business evolves and grows, your site needs to keep pace.

For a small business, the easiest, most economical way to get online is an all-in-one plan that includes a domain, a do-it-yourself website building tool, and hosting.

DIY website building tools are the least expensive way to create your site. These tools, such as GoDaddy’s Website Builder and Online Store, are user-friendly, template-based tools that require no technical skills or coding experience. And for a jump start with either product, you can schedule a 30-minute get-started phone consultation with a GoDaddy expert for around $50.00.

Most companies that provide DIY website builders offer tiered pricing plans - from free to around $300 per year. Options that influence pricing can include the number and type of themes, the amount of bandwidth and disk space you get, and whether or not your site will be optimized for mobile devices and search engines.

If building your own site isn’t for you or you need a complex or customized website, there is a large community of web professionals ready to help, including the experts at GoDaddy’s Web Design Services. Again, pricing varies widely depending on the size of your site and the features and functionality you need, but in general, a simple website can cost between $500 and $2000.

If you hire a pro, be sure you are clear about what you are buying. Spend some time shopping around - and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Does the fee include a domain and hosting or just website design? What will ongoing management and future updates cost - and who is responsible for that work?

Before you spend a single dollar, take some time to think about how you want your site to look, what it should say, and how it should function. And consider how much time you can devote to developing and managing your site. Hiring it out so you can focus on other parts of your business may be the best thing for your bottom line.

By now you are realizing there is no simple answer to the question “How much does a website cost?” Calculating a realistic budget starts with a clear vision for your site. This will pave the way to products and services that can deliver a website that drives business at a price your business can afford.

More info

• GoCentral Website Builder
• GoDaddy Web design services
• Getting started: Build Your Website