Website Cost Calculator

Estimate for free what it costs to build and run your website — with an AI website builder, a website builder, WordPress, a freelancer or an agency — based on its type, size, design and features. No sign-up needed.

Building the site

Design and build, up to 5 pages
$1,500–$5,000
3 more pages
$300–$900
To build
$1,800–$5,900

Running it, per year

Plan or hosting, domain and upkeep
$150–$600
Per year
$150–$600
Over 3 yearsBuilding it plus three years of running it.$2,250–$7,700

Booking, reviews, forms and chat don’t need custom development — add them with ready-made widgets. See Elfsight widgets →

Before you go

Booking, reviews, forms and chat don’t need custom development — add them with ready-made widgets.

See Elfsight widgets →
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How much a website costs for your kind of business

Typical budgets for common small businesses, from the same calculator. Open a row to adjust it to your plans.
Business
What the site usually needs
With a website builder
With a freelancer
Restaurant or café
Menu, hours and location, photos, table reservations
$450–$3,050 over 3 years$0–$500 to build · $150–$850 a yearAdjust in the calculator →
$2,650–$11,900 over 3 years$2,200–$8,300 to build · $150–$1,200 a yearAdjust in the calculator →
Photographer
Portfolio galleries, about, prices, contact or booking form
$500–$2,750 over 3 years$50–$650 to build · $150–$700 a yearAdjust in the calculator →
$3,250–$13,100 over 3 years$2,800–$10,400 to build · $150–$900 a yearAdjust in the calculator →
Online store with 50 products
Product catalog, cart and checkout, shipping and returns pages
$900–$5,500 over 3 years$0–$850 to build · $300–$1,550 a yearAdjust in the calculator →
$4,550–$19,500 over 3 years$4,100–$15,000 to build · $150–$1,500 a yearAdjust in the calculator →
Law firm
Practice areas, team, articles, consultation booking
$500–$4,600 over 3 years$50–$1,000 to build · $150–$1,200 a yearAdjust in the calculator →
$4,650–$21,900 over 3 years$4,200–$16,500 to build · $150–$1,800 a yearAdjust in the calculator →
SaaS landing page
One page: product, features, pricing, sign-up
$500–$2,700 over 3 years$50–$600 to build · $150–$700 a yearAdjust in the calculator →
$2,650–$11,200 over 3 years$2,200–$8,500 to build · $150–$900 a yearAdjust in the calculator →

Restaurant or café

What the site usually needs

Menu, hours and location, photos, table reservations

With a website builder

$450–$3,050 over 3 years$0–$500 to build · $150–$850 a yearAdjust in the calculator →

With a freelancer

$2,650–$11,900 over 3 years$2,200–$8,300 to build · $150–$1,200 a yearAdjust in the calculator →

Photographer

What the site usually needs

Portfolio galleries, about, prices, contact or booking form

With a website builder

$500–$2,750 over 3 years$50–$650 to build · $150–$700 a yearAdjust in the calculator →

With a freelancer

$3,250–$13,100 over 3 years$2,800–$10,400 to build · $150–$900 a yearAdjust in the calculator →

Online store with 50 products

What the site usually needs

Product catalog, cart and checkout, shipping and returns pages

With a website builder

$900–$5,500 over 3 years$0–$850 to build · $300–$1,550 a yearAdjust in the calculator →

With a freelancer

$4,550–$19,500 over 3 years$4,100–$15,000 to build · $150–$1,500 a yearAdjust in the calculator →

Law firm

What the site usually needs

Practice areas, team, articles, consultation booking

With a website builder

$500–$4,600 over 3 years$50–$1,000 to build · $150–$1,200 a yearAdjust in the calculator →

With a freelancer

$4,650–$21,900 over 3 years$4,200–$16,500 to build · $150–$1,800 a yearAdjust in the calculator →

SaaS landing page

What the site usually needs

One page: product, features, pricing, sign-up

With a website builder

$500–$2,700 over 3 years$50–$600 to build · $150–$700 a yearAdjust in the calculator →

With a freelancer

$2,650–$11,200 over 3 years$2,200–$8,500 to build · $150–$900 a yearAdjust in the calculator →

Rough US ranges from the calculator’s model, not quotes. Store prices exclude payment and transaction fees.

Ways to build a website, compared

Five ways to get a website, from typing a prompt to hiring a team. Prices are for the same site, so you can compare them directly.
Way to build
To build
Per year
Over 3 years
Time to launch
Skills you need
Best for
AI website builderDescribe the business, get a draft site
$0–$100
$100–$500
$300–$1,600
Minutes to a day
None
A simple site or landing page, fast
Website builderWix, Squarespace, Shopify, Webflow
$0–$300
$150–$500
$450–$1,800
A few days to 2 weeks
Basic
Small businesses, portfolios and stores that want control without code
WordPress, built yourselfSelf-hosted WordPress with a theme
$50–$500
$100–$500
$350–$2,000
1–4 weeks
Moderate
Blogs and content sites that need flexibility and full ownership
FreelancerA designer or developer you hire
$1,500–$5,000
$150–$600
$1,950–$6,800
2–8 weeks
None — you manage the project
A custom design on a moderate budget
AgencyA team: strategy, design, development
$6,000–$25,000
$1,000–$6,000
$9,000–$43,000
1–4 months
None — you approve the work
Larger businesses with branding, integrations and complex needs

AI website builderDescribe the business, get a draft site

To build

$0–$100

Per year

$100–$500

Over 3 years

$300–$1,600

Time to launch

Minutes to a day

Skills you need

None

Best for

A simple site or landing page, fast

Website builderWix, Squarespace, Shopify, Webflow

To build

$0–$300

Per year

$150–$500

Over 3 years

$450–$1,800

Time to launch

A few days to 2 weeks

Skills you need

Basic

Best for

Small businesses, portfolios and stores that want control without code

WordPress, built yourselfSelf-hosted WordPress with a theme

To build

$50–$500

Per year

$100–$500

Over 3 years

$350–$2,000

Time to launch

1–4 weeks

Skills you need

Moderate

Best for

Blogs and content sites that need flexibility and full ownership

FreelancerA designer or developer you hire

To build

$1,500–$5,000

Per year

$150–$600

Over 3 years

$1,950–$6,800

Time to launch

2–8 weeks

Skills you need

None — you manage the project

Best for

A custom design on a moderate budget

AgencyA team: strategy, design, development

To build

$6,000–$25,000

Per year

$1,000–$6,000

Over 3 years

$9,000–$43,000

Time to launch

1–4 months

Skills you need

None — you approve the work

Best for

Larger businesses with branding, integrations and complex needs

Prices for a 5-page business website with a template design, no extra features: rough US ranges in USD from the calculator above. Change the settings in the calculator to see your own numbers.

AI website builder

$0–$100 · $100–$500Pros

  • Fastest way to a first version

  • No design or coding skills needed

  • Cheapest to start

Cons

  • Generic structure and copy that need editing

  • Less control over design and SEO details

  • Tied to the builder’s platform and plan

Website builder

$0–$300 · $150–$500Pros

  • Hosting, security and updates included

  • Drag-and-drop editing

  • App stores for stores, bookings and more

Cons

  • Monthly fees add up over the years

  • Limited to what the platform supports

  • Hard to move to another platform

WordPress, built yourself

$50–$500 · $100–$500Pros

  • Free, open-source software

  • Thousands of themes and plugins

  • You own the site and can change hosts

Cons

  • Updates, security and backups are on you

  • Plugins can conflict or slow the site

  • Steeper learning curve

Freelancer

$1,500–$5,000 · $150–$600Pros

  • Custom design and features

  • One person to talk to

  • Cheaper than an agency

Cons

  • Quality varies a lot

  • Depends on one person’s time

  • Every change later costs extra

Agency

$6,000–$25,000 · $1,000–$6,000Pros

  • A full team and a clear process

  • Strategy, branding and content included

  • Complex integrations and support

Cons

  • The highest price

  • The slowest way

  • Small changes can be expensive

Which one should you choose?

You need a site this week, on a small budget

An AI website builder — then edit the copy and add your own photos.

You want to run the site yourself, with predictable costs

A website builder such as Wix, Squarespace or Shopify.

You publish a lot of content or want full ownership

WordPress on your own hosting.

You need a unique design on a moderate budget

A freelancer — check their portfolio and agree on the scope in writing.

You need branding, integrations and a team

An agency.
Save on development

Don’t build the hard parts — add them

Reviews, booking, forms and chat are what make a site work for the business — and what developers charge the most for. Elfsight widgets give you these features ready-made: pick one, adjust it in the editor and add it to your site in minutes, without code.
Feature
Built by a freelancer
With an Elfsight widget
Customer reviews from Google
$300–$1,500
Google Reviews free plan available
Online booking
$300–$1,500
Appointment Booking free plan available
Contact and lead forms
$300–$1,500
Form Builder free plan available
Chat that answers visitors
$300–$1,500
AI Chatbot free plan available
WhatsApp chat button
$300–$1,500
WhatsApp Chat free plan available
Events and schedules
$300–$1,500
Event Calendar free plan available
Instagram feed
$300–$1,500
Instagram Feed free plan available
Pricing table
$300–$1,500
Pricing Table free plan available
FAQ section
$300–$1,500
FAQ free plan available
Popups and promotions
$300–$1,500
Popup free plan available
Cookie consent banner
$300–$1,500
Cookie Consent free plan available
Website translation
$300–$1,500
Website Translator free plan available

Customer reviews from Google

Built by a freelancer

$300–$1,500

With an Elfsight widget

Google Reviews free plan available

Online booking

Built by a freelancer

$300–$1,500

With an Elfsight widget

Appointment Booking free plan available

Contact and lead forms

Built by a freelancer

$300–$1,500

With an Elfsight widget

Form Builder free plan available

Chat that answers visitors

Built by a freelancer

$300–$1,500

With an Elfsight widget

AI Chatbot free plan available

WhatsApp chat button

Built by a freelancer

$300–$1,500

With an Elfsight widget

WhatsApp Chat free plan available

Events and schedules

Built by a freelancer

$300–$1,500

With an Elfsight widget

Event Calendar free plan available

Instagram feed

Built by a freelancer

$300–$1,500

With an Elfsight widget

Instagram Feed free plan available

Pricing table

Built by a freelancer

$300–$1,500

With an Elfsight widget

Pricing Table free plan available

FAQ section

Built by a freelancer

$300–$1,500

With an Elfsight widget

FAQ free plan available

Popups and promotions

Built by a freelancer

$300–$1,500

With an Elfsight widget

Popup free plan available

Cookie consent banner

Built by a freelancer

$300–$1,500

With an Elfsight widget

Cookie Consent free plan available

Website translation

Built by a freelancer

$300–$1,500

With an Elfsight widget

Website Translator free plan available

Ready in minutes

Pick a template, change it in the editor and add it to your site — no coding.

Start for free

There’s a free plan, and no credit card is needed.

Works on any website

One installation code works with any builder, CMS or hand-coded site.

90+ widgets in one account

Reviews, forms, chats, feeds, booking and more, managed in one place.

Free installation help

Not sure where to paste the code? Elfsight’s support team can install the widget for you.
Browse widgets
No credit card needed

Widgets work whichever way you build

AI website builder

Most AI website builders have an Embed or Custom code block: copy the widget’s code from Elfsight and paste it there.
All platforms

WordPress, built yourself

Add the code with a Custom HTML block or your page builder’s HTML element.
WordPressElementor

Freelancer

Ask your developer to paste one line of code — then manage the widget yourself in your Elfsight account, without paying for every change.
HTML guide

Agency

Your agency can add widgets during the build, and your team manages them in the Elfsight account — no ticket needed for a new review source or a form field.

What goes into the cost of a website

Whatever way you build, the money goes to the same few things. Some are paid once, others every year.

Item
Typical cost
How often
Domain name
$10–$25 at the renewal price
Every year
Website builder plan (incl. hosting)
$100–$500, more for online stores
Every year
Hosting (WordPress and custom sites)
$50–$300
Every year
Theme or template
$0–$300
Once
Custom design
$1,000–$15,000
Once
Development
$1,500–$25,000
Once
Copywriting and photos
$300–$2,000
Once
Apps, plugins and widgets
$0–$300
Every year
Maintenance and updates
$0 if you do it, up to $6,000 with an agency
Every year

Domain name

Typical cost

$10–$25 at the renewal price

How often

Every year

Website builder plan (incl. hosting)

Typical cost

$100–$500, more for online stores

How often

Every year

Hosting (WordPress and custom sites)

Typical cost

$50–$300

How often

Every year

Theme or template

Typical cost

$0–$300

How often

Once

Custom design

Typical cost

$1,000–$15,000

How often

Once

Development

Typical cost

$1,500–$25,000

How often

Once

Copywriting and photos

Typical cost

$300–$2,000

How often

Once

Apps, plugins and widgets

Typical cost

$0–$300

How often

Every year

Maintenance and updates

Typical cost

$0 if you do it, up to $6,000 with an agency

How often

Every year

Costs people forget

The first invoice is rarely the last. Budget for these from the start:

  • Domain renewal at the full price. Many registrars discount the first year; the renewal is often several times higher.

  • Hosting or builder plan renewals. Intro prices usually apply to the first term only.

  • Paid plugins and apps. Most are yearly or monthly subscriptions, and a site often needs several: forms, booking, reviews, SEO, backups.

  • SSL certificate. Free with most builders and hosts (for example through Let’s Encrypt), but some hosts still charge for it.

  • Business email. Usually a monthly fee per mailbox.

  • Payment and transaction fees. Online stores pay a percentage of every sale to the payment provider, sometimes plus a platform fee.

  • Moving to another platform. Rebuilding pages, redirecting old URLs and moving content takes time or money.

  • Redesigns and changes. Freelancers and agencies charge for changes beyond the agreed scope — and sites are usually refreshed every few years.

  • Maintenance. Updates, backups and fixing broken things, especially on self-hosted WordPress.

Switch the calculator to My own numbers to add these to your total.

How to spend less on your website

  • Start with fewer pages: a clear home page, services, about and contact cover most small businesses.

  • Use a template and adjust colors and fonts instead of paying for a custom design.

  • Write the copy yourself, or start from an AI draft and edit it.

  • Add features like reviews, booking and forms with ready-made widgets instead of custom development.

  • Pay yearly for your builder or hosting plan — it’s usually cheaper than monthly.

  • Agree on the scope, the number of revisions and the price of later changes before you hire anyone.

How we estimate

The calculator adds up typical US price ranges for each part of the work: the base cost of a 5-page site for the way you build it, extra pages, a custom design and each feature, plus yearly costs for hosting or a plan, the domain and upkeep. An online store costs more to build and run than a business site; a landing page costs less.

Prices checked on October 12, 2026 against these public sources:

Prices change, intro discounts end and real quotes vary a lot by region, experience and scope. Use the numbers to plan a budget and compare options, then ask for quotes.

Questions to ask a freelancer or agency before you hire

  • Can I see two or three sites you built for businesses like mine — and talk to those clients?

  • What exactly is included in the price: number of pages, design rounds, copywriting, photos, SEO setup?

  • How many rounds of changes are included, and what do extra changes cost?

  • Which platform will you use, and will I be able to edit the site myself?

  • Who owns the design, the code, the domain and the hosting account? Will everything be in my name?

  • What are the yearly costs after launch: hosting, plugins, licenses, maintenance?

  • How long will it take, and what do you need from me — and by when?

  • Who maintains the site after launch, and what does support cost?

  • What happens if we stop working together: will I get all files and access?

  • How is payment split: deposit, milestones, final payment?

Get the answers in a written agreement before you pay a deposit.

How the estimate works

  1. Choose who builds it

    A builder costs least in money but most in your time; agencies cost most but handle everything.

  2. Describe the site

    Type, number of pages and design have the biggest effect on price.

  3. Add features

    Each feature adds build time and sometimes a yearly fee for apps or plugins.

Frequently asked questions

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