Website Cost — Lottery or Pattern

The Same Request — A Thousand Variations

Imagine the situation. You want to order a website for your business. You’ve written a clear specification, sent it to several studios and freelancers. And then — like a bolt from the blue: one offers $500, another $3000, and a third has no qualms stating $10,000. Sound familiar? Because it’s a standard story in the web development market.

No, this isn’t a ‘rip-off’ or a conspiracy among studios. It’s — a different approach to the job, which in 90% of cases isn’t explained to clients. Unfortunately.

Why Prices Differ for Identical Requests

Because behind the words ‘make a website’ everyone sees something different. For some, it’s a page with a logo and phone number. For others, it’s a multi-level system with CRM, payment integration, SEO optimization, and a blog. And each executor calculates the variant they are USED to doing.

To understand where the discrepancy comes from, look at what specifically affects the price:

• Depth of development. One will do it ‘just because’, while another will delve into your business, develop the structure, UX, and conversion points.
• Design level. Some will apply a template and change the colors, while others will create a brand style from scratch.
• Technologies. Simple WordPress or custom on Vue — these are two different worlds in terms of cost and potential.
• Team. A freelancer handles everything alone. In a studio — there’s a designer, coder, copywriter, project manager. This also adds to the cost.
• Approach to launch. Deliver and forget or provide support, training, and technical support.

And now imagine you walk into a cafe and say: “I want a steak.” One waiter will bring you a thin slice from the supermarket, while another will bring dry-aged meat prepared by chefs. Formally, it’s still a steak, but the taste, effect, and price are different.

In summary: the same phrase “I need a website” can mean a dozen scenarios for different executors. And the price will correspond not only to the volume of work but also to the depth of involvement, level of responsibility, and quality of implementation.

What is included in the cost of a website? And why “all inclusive” is not always a plus

It would seem simple—you ordered a site, you got a site. But in practice, development is like renovation: at first, you do “cosmetics,” but then come pipes, wiring, “let’s also move the kitchen to the balcony.” And all of this costs money.

To avoid ending up in a situation where “you paid for one thing and got something completely different,” it’s worth understanding: what does the cost of a website actually consist of? And where is the catch in that “all inclusive.”

Preparation — like designing a house: you can’t build a villa without a foundation

Many want to immediately move to “looking good,” but they forget: without structure and analytics, it will not be a site, but a collection of random blocks.

During the preparation stage, usually done:

• analysis of your niche, competitors, and target audience;
• creating the structure of the future site (which pages, which blocks, which CTAs);
• writing a technical specification for designers and developers;
• creating a prototype (wireframe) — that is, a draft scheme of pages.

And yes, this is work. Work that forms 20–30% of the budget but saves twice as much when it comes to launch.

Design is not just ‘beautiful,’ it’s about results

Design is the signboard of your business on the internet. If you want, you can ‘stick’ a template and not spend money. But if you want people not just to visit, but also to leave inquiries, you’ll have to invest.

The cost of design depends on:

• whether it is a ready-made template with basic colors or a custom design for your brand;
• how many pages you have (1 landing page is one thing, a corporate site is another);
• whether there will be a responsive version for mobile and tablets;
• whether UI elements are included — icons, animations, hover effects, and so on.

The software part is the heart that either beats steadily or malfunctions

How many times have you seen: there’s a site, but nothing works. The form doesn’t submit, the page loads endlessly, buttons lead nowhere. The reason is either it was ‘written on the knee,’ or they tried to save where it was not worth it.

The software part may include:

• basic layout and connection to a CMS (e.g., WordPress);
• configuration of templates, plugins, modules;
• integration of payment systems, CRM, chatbots, etc.;
• configuration of caching, loading speed, SEO factors.

And the more complex the logic, the more expensive it is. But it’s an investment in stability, not an expense for the sake of it.

Launch and post-launch support — where most things fall apart

Even if everything is done perfectly, it’s just half the job. Next come the questions “how to add a new news item?”, “why doesn’t it open on iPhone?”, “where to enable the meta-description?”

There are also costs here:

• testing on different browsers and devices;
• training your team on how to use the admin panel;
• technical support: updates, security, backups.

And if this is not included in the budget, prepare for either additional charges or the search for a ‘second programmer.’

Why “all-inclusive” is not always beneficial

Because very often it means: “we will do everything ourselves, but at our discretion, and it’s not guaranteed that it will suit you.” Without specifics, you’re buying a pig in a poke. Moreover, in my experience: the vaguer the offer, the less you get in the end.

Websites are not fast food, where it’s only important to ‘get fed’. They are the entry point to your business. And when you see a low price with the phrase ‘all inclusive’ — ask clarifying questions. Better still, turn to those who honestly break down the budget by items and explain what is included in each stage. Like the 6Weeks team, which always explains to clients what they are paying for.

Form affects price: landing page, business card, online store or portal

From the outside, it seems that a website is just a website. You know, pages, buttons, logo at the top. But in reality, the type of website is like a restaurant format: it’s one thing to have a burger food truck, and another to have a gastropub with a wine list. And the price, of course, will vary.

Before calculating the budget, it’s worth answering an honest question for yourself: ‘What exactly do I need — and for whom?’ Because the form of the site determines not only the functionality but also the volume of work that needs to be done ‘under the hood’. Here’s a brief overview of how the type of website affects the cost:

Price of a landing page (one-page site)

A landing page is a compact, concentrated solution for launching a new service, product, or ad campaign. Its main goal is to convert traffic into action: an application, call, or purchase. Everything here must work seamlessly: structure, calls to action, design, and application form. Text and visuals have no right to ‘spread out’ — only a precise hit on the client’s needs.

Landing page prices depend on the approach. If a ready-made template is used, you can fit within $500–600. However, if you need custom design, copywriting, target audience analysis, and multilingual support, the budget easily increases to $2000+. Nonetheless, even in this format, it remains a quick and affordable start for small businesses or new niches.

Business card website cost

This is a classic option for businesses that just need to “be online.” A business card website usually consists of 3–5 pages: Home, About the Company, Services or Products, and Contact. It is ideal for local services, beauty salons, craftsmen, lawyers, or small agencies. Simple, clear, and sufficient for the first step online.

But simplicity does not mean template-based. Even in this format, you can create a unique design, add video, animation, an SEO base, an application form, and a map. The budget starts from $500 and can reach up to $3000+ if you include copywriting, individual styling, and micro-animation. A good business card website works like an online showcase that sells even without advertising.

Corporate website cost

This is a more complex solution for companies with serious structure, departments, international presence, or a wide product line. A couple of pages won’t suffice here. Usually, sections such as ‘For Partners’, ‘News’, ‘Vacancies’, multilingual support, an SEO blog, feedback forms, personal accounts, and even CRM integrations are expected.

Such sites require not only development but also business process analysis, a technical specification, and a modular structure. The budget starts at $1500–2000, but depending on the complexity, integrations, number of languages, and volume of content, it can grow to $7000 and above. This is already a digital business infrastructure, not just a website.

Price of an online store

An online store is not just a catalog with a cart. It’s a complete system with products, filters, order logic, connected payment systems, search functionality, and a client personal account. Everything should be intuitive, fast, adaptive — and work 24/7. Even the smallest glitch costs real money.

Prices start at $2000 if using a templated base with basic features. But a full-fledged online store with unique design, CRM integration, smart filters, multilingual support, adaptability, and mobile UX can cost $5000–10 000+. And there’s no limit if scaling or entering foreign markets is planned.

Price of a portal or SaaS solution

This is already an IT product, not a website in the usual sense. It involves complex services with registration, personal accounts, internal transactions, dynamic modules, API integrations, analytics, access rights, and automated processes. For example: an educational portal, a logistics platform, accounting SaaS, a service marketplace, or a niche B2B service.

Such projects require stage development, prototypes, architecture, dev-optimization, server infrastructure, and QA testing. The budget starts at $10,000, but realistically, it can easily exceed $20,000–30,000+ depending on the number of features and depth of logic. It is a long-term investment that should be supported by a business model, not just an idea.

What’s the outcome

To simplify: the more functionality — the more expensive the implementation. This is obvious. But the main thing is not to lose touch with reality. You don’t need to order an online store with 2000 products if you currently have 15. There’s no need to create a portal if your clients just want to know your phone number.

Your task is not to impress everyone with a “cool portfolio” but to launch an effective sales tool that meets your real tasks. And when a company, like 6Weeks, helps with choosing the type of site and doesn’t try to push a portal instead of a landing page — that’s already half the battle.

And one more nuance: adaptability, speed, accessibility — three unobtrusive but critically important characteristics that are often “put aside”. It’s a mistake. They are our next point.

Adaptability, speed, accessibility: three silent cost factors

They are rarely talked about at the start because they sound boring. But if the website is the entrance to your business, then responsiveness, speed, and accessibility are the very steps that are either convenient or slippery. If you don’t consider these things upfront, you’ll have to bear the costs later — not just financially, but also in reputation.

These three factors are the silent heroes. They don’t shout, they don’t flash, but they are the ones responsible for whether a person stays on your site or closes it within 3 seconds. What exactly do we mean by responsiveness, speed, and accessibility? Here are the main points and why these parameters directly affect the cost of the site:

Responsiveness

Responsiveness is when a site looks equally good on a smartphone, tablet, and desktop. And it’s not just “font sizes getting smaller”, but each block is logically, conveniently, and readably rearranged. This requires separate work from the designer, frontend developer, and tester. After all, user behavior on a phone is dramatically different from that of a laptop user.

Speed

Website loading speed is critically important. A user is willing to wait a maximum of 2–3 seconds. After that, they leave. And they are unlikely to return. To ensure fast loading, you need proper coding, optimized images, caching, lightweight fonts, quality server performance, and even CDN (content delivery network) settings.

Accessibility

Accessibility is about whether your site can be used by people with visual, auditory, or motor impairments. This is not only about ethics but also about audience expansion, increased trust, and compliance with international standards. Implementing accessibility involves a logical structure, keyboard navigation, text alternatives for images, and contrast.

What’s the outcome

These “silent factors” are not ordered separately — but they are what make the site convenient, fast, and accessible for real users. That means effective. The sooner they are considered, the fewer expenses and “patch-ups” in the future. It is worth noting that such things are not visible at the “let’s agree on the design” stage. But they are what separate a site that simply “exists” from one that works.

Who are you hiring: studio, freelancer, or no-name

Not an easy question, right? Everyone has a friend in IT who “makes sites out of friendship,” or a freelancer recommended by a neighbor — claiming it’s cheap, cheerful, and “he knows something about HTML.”

But the truth is: who does the work — critically matters not only for the price but for the result, nervous system, and speed of launch. And to prevent you from falling into a typical trap, let’s consider each option in human terms, without embellishments. Here are the types of executors and how they impact your project:

Freelancer

It’s like going fishing with one experienced buddy: cheap, friendly, but if something goes wrong — there are no rescuers. One specialist handles the entire project: design, code, texts, SEO. If you’re lucky, they will be a versatile pro with experience. But if not — you’ll end up with a “half-built site” that has to be completed from scratch. And this is the most typical scenario.

A Small Studio

This is more of a mini-team, typically 2–5 people, including a designer, coder, copywriter, and someone who ‘holds everything together’. Communication is better organized in a studio: they respond to emails, can make calls, and react quicker to revisions. Plus, there’s a personalized approach and flexibility in work.

But there’s also a downside: if one of the key team members is unavailable, the project literally stalls. The manager is on vacation, the coder is ill, the designer disappeared — and the deadline stretches. According to GoodFirms research, nearly 40% of delays in small studios are due to the human factor. Therefore, it’s important to clarify who will replace a key person in case of emergencies.

An Agency with History (like 6Weeks)

This is when you get not just a website, but a turnkey project with results, guarantees, and support. There is a team, a signed contract, a detailed plan, weekly updates, and a quality control system. You know exactly who is responsible for what, the timelines, how everything is tested, and what happens after launch.

No-name from OLX or a “friend of a student-techie”

The most risky option. Often these are people without a portfolio, without a team, without a clear process. They promise ‘cheap, fast, and great,’ but in reality — they disappear, leave an unfinished shell, or deliver a website without mobile adaptation, without SEO, and even without an admin panel.

WebFX statistics show that up to 50% of websites made by ‘acquaintance developers’ are redone in the first year. The reason is simple: there was no contract, no structure, no technical specification. As a result, the cheap website becomes the most expensive — because costs are doubled. Sometimes even fivefold.

What’s the outcome

So, the price difference often does not stem from the volume of work, but from who is accountable. Who will respond if the form stops working? Who will adapt the site for a new browser? Who will call you if traffic disappears — a freelancer from Thailand who stopped communicating?

When Cheap Means Expensive

There’s an old saying: “A penny saved is a penny earned.” In web development, it’s often more like three times: once to the freelancer, a second time to the person who will “redo” it, and the third time for sedatives.

The desire to save is normal. We are all entrepreneurs and we count expenses. But between sensible economizing and trying to “get a website for peanuts” lies a chasm. And this chasm often consumes your time, clients, and nerves.

Here are the most common mistakes when choosing a “cheap” website:

• Choosing blindly by price. When a customer opens the price list, looks for the lowest figure — and immediately calls. No analysis, no portfolio, no discussion about business goals. As a result — a product without soul, logic, or technical support.
• Lack of clear agreements. Without contracts, terms of reference, deadlines. Everything “verbally” — and then it starts: “I thought this wasn’t included,” “You need to pay extra for this,” “I didn’t have time — I was at the cabin.”
• Not considering additional costs. You’ll be told: “Website for $400.” But then: domain, hosting, certificate, basic SEO, adaptation, training — all “additional.” And now you’ve exceeded the budget by 2-3 times.
• Neglect of testing and support. They did it — and disappeared. Error in the form? Forgotten plugin? Oops. They leave you the website and vanish into the twilight — without support, guarantees, or any feedback.

We’ve often been asked: “Isn’t it possible to have quality and cheap?” It is possible. But you need to know who to hire for development and how to do it. And seriously — there are beginners who are just entering the market and are ready to work for the minimum. But it’s always a risk. Your business is not a field for experiments.

Want to save money? Ask the team to honestly calculate what exactly you will get and where you can cut costs without losing quality. For example, the company 6Weeks often offers hybrid options: a template with modifications for your brand to save time and money while maintaining effectiveness.

And another thing: specify support. Because saving $200 is easy. But if the site “crashes” in six months and clients see a blank screen, the cost will be much higher. And not just in terms of money.

The cost of a template-based site on WordPress 

I confess: when I hear “template site,” I immediately picture grey sites from 2005, Comic Sans, and a “press me hard” button. But times have changed. A modern template is not a compromise but a smart solution if used wisely.

A template is not a sentence. It is a foundation on which you can build a strong, adaptive, and functional site. The main thing is not to just take the theme “as is” but to adapt it to your business, which is exactly what the team at 6Weeks does.

What will you get by ordering a template site from 6Weeks? Let’s start with the basics:

• Analysis of your business and target audience. No one fits “everything indiscriminately” — the template is selected according to your niche, competitors, and communication style.
• Template adaptation to the brand. Change of colors, fonts, block structures, visual accents. Ensuring the site doesn’t look like “just another from Envato,” but rather, your unique online office.
• Mobile version, speed, testing. Responsive design for smartphones and tablets + checking functionality across different browsers.
• Training and support. You don’t just “receive the site.” You are taught how to use it. And questions are answered even after launch.

On average, such a project costs from $500, depending on complexity, number of pages, and additional features. For small and medium-sized businesses, it’s an excellent way to quickly go online and start acquiring clients within 2–3 weeks.

And the best part: if you wish to “grow” in the future — the template won’t be a limitation. The site can be expanded, with new features, integrations added, CRM connected. Or you can even switch to another platform — and 6Weeks will assist with that too.

Need More Than a Template? — Custom Projects by 6Weeks

Sometimes your business grows, tasks multiply, and your template-based website simply can’t keep up. It’s like trying to fit thirty meals into a sushi box. That’s when you realize: you need custom. Not “just another landing page,” but a full-fledged system tailored to you.

The 6Weeks team doesn’t just work with WordPress and OpenCart. If your site needs more — Laravel, PHP, Vue, and React come into play. This is no longer about plugging content into a theme — it’s a project with its own architecture, flexibility, and scalability.

When custom is truly necessary:

• You have a complex product or service with many filters, specifications, and interactive elements.
• You need integration with CRM, accounting systems, booking engines, or third-party APIs.
• You require client dashboards, dynamic content, authorization, and more.
• You want a UI/UX experience tailored specifically to your product — not forced into a ready-made theme.
• You plan to build a service that will grow into a platform, marketplace, or app.

Custom development means a different approach:

• Frontend and backend are built separately, often using modern frameworks (Vue, React).
• The system is fully optimized for specific performance needs, traffic loads, and logic.
• Any integrations are possible — from HubSpot to 1C or custom analytics tools.

Yes, it costs more. Prices start from $2,000 and up. But it’s a tool that will serve you for years — not just until the next redesign.

When your business is growing, a template stops being a support. That’s when it’s crucial not to cling to it “because it’s cheaper,” but to see custom development as an investment in scalability.

Examples of Functionality Templates Can’t Handle

To make it clear we’re not just “selling code,” here are real examples where templates fall short. If any of this sounds familiar, it’s time to consider going custom. These are things that can’t be done with a template — or would cost more to force-fit than to build from scratch:

• Advanced dynamic filters and search. For example, real-time product filtering by 4+ parameters or location-based search results.
• Integration with complex CRM or ERP systems. Connecting Bitrix, Zoho, or Odoo to a template can be a nightmare — it’s often cheaper to build a custom backend.
• Personal dashboards with role-based access. Clients, managers, supervisors — each with their own functionality? Definitely not a template story.
• Dashboards, charts, real-time analytics. Without React/Vue and a custom API, it’s like working without hands. Templates simply can’t support this level of logic.
• Search that understands the query and returns relevant results — not just name matches. That’s where ElasticSearch or other intelligent engines come in, and they don’t play well with templates.

All of this comes from real-world cases. Not “maybe someday” — but actual requests from clients whose current websites are slowing down their businesses. And here’s the best part: going custom doesn’t have to mean going slow. With the right process — like we use at 6Weeks — an MVP can be delivered in just 4–6 weeks, with features added step-by-step after launch.

How to Understand the Cost of Your Website

Okay, let’s say you’ve read this far and still want one thing: to understand how much your website will cost specifically for you. Not an industry average, not “like Igor’s site,” but a tailored estimate for your business, your goals, and your needs.

At this point, it’s worth taking a pause. Because the answer doesn’t lie in a magic formula — it lies in clearly understanding what you want, why you need a website, and who’s going to build it. Without that clarity, any estimate is just shooting in the dark.

A Practical Approach to Pricing Your Website

To avoid the guesswork, here’s an honest, step-by-step method:

1. Define the business goal of your website. Do you want to generate leads? Sell products online? Build credibility? Different goals = different structure and functionality.
2. Assess the scope: how many pages, sections, and languages? A landing page is one thing. A product catalog with filters is another.
3. Decide on uniqueness. Will you go with a ready-made template or a custom design from scratch? The first is faster and cheaper. The second is more flexible and tailored to your brand.
4. Think about integrations. CRM, online payments, chat apps, analytics — do you need them, and which ones are critical?
5. Set aside a budget for ongoing support. A website isn’t a “set it and forget it” tool. It needs updates, maintenance, and improvements — especially if your business is growing.

And if you’d rather not figure this out on your own — 6Weeks offers a free audit of your needs. No strings attached. Just tell us your plans, and the team will help you assess scope, risks, and approaches. Every estimate is transparent. No hidden fees or surprise charges. That’s rare on the market — and exactly why clients keep coming back.

Conclusion: A Fair Price Comes from a Fair Approach

The cost of a website isn’t just a number — it’s about value. The better you understand your goals, the more accurately someone can answer the question, “How much will it cost?” On the flip side, a vague “just build me a website” will always lead to mismatched expectations and budgets. There are no “cheap” or “expensive” websites — there are only those that work and those that don’t. And the ones that work pay for themselves in weeks, not years.

If you want to: launch a working website quickly, figure out whether you need a template or a custom build, and get a realistic, transparent estimate — just leave a request with 6Weeks. We’ll help you understand exactly what your website will cost — broken down by stages, without any marketing fluff.

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