How Much Does it Cost to Design a Website in 2025?
One of the most common questions businesses ask us is “How much does it cost to design a website in 2025?” The truth is that there isn’t one magic number. A website can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. What determines that difference? Scope, strategy, and the role your website plays in your business.
Let’s break down the factors that shape website costs, outline what you can realistically expect to pay in 2025, and explain how to make sure your investment delivers results.
The short answer: it depends (but we’ll break it down)
No two websites are alike. A small, brochure-style site with just a few pages requires much less time and fewer resources than a custom-built e-commerce store with advanced functionality. Your goals, design preferences, and required features all impact pricing. Even the level of strategy involved, from whether your site needs a full brand refresh to how deep you want SEO integration, makes a big difference.
This is why most agencies avoid giving flat rates. Instead, they base proposals on discovery sessions that uncover your needs and priorities. At Riverworks, we believe this is the only way to ensure you’re paying for what matters to your business—not unnecessary bells and whistles.
What really drives the price tag
Website pricing is shaped by a handful of major factors. The size of the site, measured by the number of pages and amount of content, sets the baseline. A five-page site costs less than a fifty-page site, but content creation, imagery, and copywriting can quickly add to that base. The complexity of your design is another driver. A templated layout is budget-friendly, but a custom design built to showcase your brand requires more time and expertise.
Functionality also adds cost. An online store, a booking system, or integrations with third-party tools all require additional development. Accessibility and performance considerations, such as meeting ADA compliance or optimizing for page speed, are critical for modern websites but do involve more setup. And of course, SEO strategy and analytics implementation influence both cost and long-term success.
Finally, ongoing support matters. A one-time build without maintenance might appear cheaper upfront, but most businesses find that regular updates, backups, and optimizations save money and headaches over time.
Website cost ranges you can actually expect in 2025
So, how much does it cost to design a website in 2025? While every project is unique, there are some realistic ranges to consider.
At the lowest end are DIY website builders like Wix or Squarespace. For as little as $10–$100 per month, you can build a simple site on your own. These tools are budget-friendly, but they come with tradeoffs. Customization is limited, SEO control is often weaker, and the time you spend building and maintaining the site is time away from running your business.
Hiring a freelancer is the next step up, with projects ranging from $1,000–$5,000. Freelancers can be a great fit for smaller builds, but quality and reliability vary. Some freelancers offer strong design skills but limited SEO knowledge, while others may deliver technically sound work without ongoing support.
A full-service agency typically charges $1,000–$25,000 or more depending on the project. While the upfront investment is higher, agencies provide far more than just design. Strategy, user experience planning, SEO foundations, custom development, and post-launch support are all built in. In other words, you’re not just getting a website. You’re getting a growth platform designed to support your business long term.
The hidden costs no one talks about
Your website budget doesn’t end when the site goes live. There are ongoing expenses that are easy to overlook but critical to factor in. Domain registration, hosting, and SSL certificates are required for any professional site. Premium plugins, third-party apps, or e-commerce tools can add recurring costs.
Security, compliance, and privacy requirements continue to evolve, and keeping your site protected requires consistent updates and monitoring. Analytics and conversion tracking are also non-negotiables if you want to measure ROI. And then there’s content: fresh blogs, new service pages, and updated visuals that keep your site relevant and competitive.
Ignoring these costs may lead to unexpected bills later, which is why transparent planning is so important. A good agency will make sure you understand the full picture upfront.
DIY, freelancer, or agency: which path is worth it?
Choosing the right approach to website design depends on your goals and resources. DIY platforms are attractive because they’re cheap and fast, but they’re best suited for side projects or businesses with very simple needs. Freelancers are a step up and can work well if you have a small site with a clear scope and don’t mind managing the process yourself.
For businesses that see their website as a central driver of leads and revenue, an agency is usually the smarter investment. Agencies bring teams of specialists—designers, developers, SEO strategists, and project managers—who work together to create a site that does more than just look good. It performs, converts, and scales with your growth.
What you actually get when you hire an agency
One of the biggest misconceptions about agency pricing is that you’re only paying for design. In reality, you’re investing in expertise, strategy, and execution. At Riverworks, our process begins with discovery. We spend time understanding your goals, your audience, and your brand so that the finished product supports your larger business objectives.
We create thoughtful information architecture and user experiences that make your site easy to navigate. Our custom design process ensures your brand stands out and builds trust with your audience. We develop sites with clean, responsive code that performs well across devices and prioritize accessibility to ensure your website serves everyone.
SEO foundations and analytics are built in from the start, which means your site isn’t just beautiful; it’s also optimized to rank and deliver measurable results. And finally, we manage the quality assurance, launch process, and post-launch support so you’re never left wondering what happens next.
How Riverworks makes every dollar count
At Riverworks, we know that cost transparency is key. Instead of cookie-cutter packages, we provide tailored proposals after discovery so you only pay for what your business actually needs. Our scopes, timelines, and deliverables are clearly defined, and our process integrates SEO and conversion strategy from day one.
Most importantly, we design with growth in mind. That means building a site that doesn’t just meet today’s needs but can adapt and expand as your business evolves. This forward-thinking approach helps our clients avoid costly rebuilds down the road.
Want to see how we’ve done it for others? Explore our Portfolio to get a better picture of our work.
FAQs: your website cost questions, answered fast
What is the cheapest way to design a website?
DIY builders are the cheapest upfront option. Just keep in mind that the tradeoff is your own time and limited customization.
How long does a website take to build?
Timelines vary. A simple site can be ready in a few weeks, while strategic custom builds with original content, design, and integrations can take several months.
Do I need ongoing maintenance?
Yes. Websites are living assets. Regular updates, backups, and security checks are essential for performance, safety, and SEO.
Is a custom site worth it?
If your website is more than a digital business card, absolutely. A custom site delivers brand credibility, stronger SEO, and measurable ROI that usually justifies the upfront investment.
Ready to see real numbers for your project?
The real answer to “how much does it cost to design a website” comes down to your goals. Tell us what you’re aiming for, and we’ll give you a scoped, line-item proposal that fits your business.
Contact Riverworks today to start your estimate.