“How much does a website cost?” is one of the first questions we hear, and the honest answer is: it depends on what you need. But “it depends” isn’t very helpful when you’re building a budget, so here’s a transparent breakdown with real numbers, including our own pricing.
The short answer
For a professionally designed, custom WordPress website built by an agency, most small businesses and nonprofits should expect to invest somewhere between $2,000 and $6,000 for the initial build. Larger sites, online stores with big catalogs and custom functionality can cost more.
At A Treehouse Group, custom websites start at $2,000 for personal sites, $2,300 for nonprofits and $2,500 for business, e-commerce and redesign projects, plus $100 per page. You can get an instant estimate with our website cost calculator.
What drives the price of a website
1. Number of pages
Every page needs to be planned, designed, written or edited, built, optimized for search and tested on phones, tablets and desktops. A five-page site (Home, About, Services, Blog, Contact) costs less than a 25-page site with individual pages for every service and location.
2. Type of website
- Business websites showcase services, build trust and generate leads.
- E-commerce websites add product pages, a cart, secure checkout, shipping and tax settings.
- Nonprofit websites often need donation forms, volunteer sign-ups and event pages.
- Redesigns require planning around existing content and SEO so you don’t lose rankings.
3. Features and functionality
Add-ons such as online booking, member logins, newsletter sign-ups, social media feeds, video, advanced analytics and custom content management tools each add development time.
4. Content
Do you have your text and photos ready, or do you need copywriting, photography or brand design? Content is often the most underestimated part of a website project.
5. Timeline
Need it fast? Rush timelines require a dedicated team and rearranged schedules. Our rush website packages are priced by page and turnaround: $250 per page for 7 days, $400 for 72 hours and $600 for 24–48 hours, with a 3-page minimum.
Example budgets
Here’s how our pricing works out for a few common projects (before any add-on features):
- 5-page business website: $2,500 base + 5 pages × $100 = $3,000
- 8-page nonprofit website: $2,300 base + 8 pages × $100 = $3,100
- 10-page website redesign: $2,500 base + 10 pages × $100 = $3,500
- 5-page rush site in 72 hours: 5 pages × $400 = $2,000
Don’t forget ongoing costs
A website isn’t a one-time purchase. Budget for:
- Domain name: typically $15–$30 per year.
- Hosting: from a few dollars a month for basic shared hosting to more for managed, high-performance hosting.
- Maintenance: software updates, security monitoring and backups. Our support and maintenance plans start at $225 per month and include service requests, SEO audits and blog posts.
- Marketing: a website works best with ongoing SEO, content and promotion behind it.
Why cheap websites often cost more
Bargain websites can look fine at first but cause problems later: slow load times, poor mobile layouts, no SEO foundation, accessibility gaps or a platform you can’t easily update. Rebuilding a site that wasn’t done right usually costs more than doing it properly the first time.
Questions to ask any web designer
- Who owns the website, domain and content when it’s finished?
- Is the site built for mobile, accessibility and search from the start?
- Can my team update content without calling you?
- What happens after launch? Who handles updates and security?
- What exactly is included, and what costs extra?
Frequently asked questions
Why do website prices vary so much?
Prices range from free DIY builders to six-figure enterprise projects because the scope varies enormously. Compare proposals based on what’s included, not just the total.
Is WordPress a good choice for a small business?
Yes. WordPress powers a large share of the web, gives you full ownership of your site, and has tools for nearly any feature you might need.
How long does it take to build a website?
Most custom sites take a few weeks from kickoff to launch. Rush options can launch in as little as 24 to 48 hours for smaller sites.
Get a clear quote
Try our website cost calculator for an instant estimate, explore our website design services, or request a free proposal and we’ll recommend the right approach for your goals and budget.
