Website costs depend on what you build and who builds it
The price of a website ranges from zero dollars to tens of thousands, depending on whether you use a template-based builder, hire a developer, or build from scratch. Most small businesses and individuals spend between $500 and $5,000 in the first year, then $100 to $500 annually to keep it running. The biggest cost driver is not the software — it is your time, or the time you pay someone else to spend on it.
Your actual expenses fall into three categories: the platform itself (the builder or hosting service), the domain name (your web address), and any custom work or add-ons you need. Understanding what each costs, and what you get for that money, helps you pick a path that matches your budget and what you are trying to accomplish.
Key Takeaways
- Website builders like Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress.com charge $10 to $40 per month and include hosting, so you pay one bill for everything.
- Domain names cost $10 to $15 per year, though some builders include the first year free or bundled into their monthly fee.
- Self-hosted WordPress (WordPress.org) costs $3 to $10 per month for hosting plus $0 for the software itself, but requires more technical knowledge or hiring help.
- Hiring a developer to build a custom site typically costs $2,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on complexity and your location.
- Monthly costs after launch are usually $15 to $50 for hosting and domain renewal, plus any paid plugins or services you add.
Website builder plans and what they cost per month
Website builders bundle hosting, the builder tool, and customer support into one monthly subscription. You pay one bill and everything is included. Most offer a free tier with limited features, then paid tiers starting around $10 to $15 per month.
Wix plans start at $14 per month for a basic site and go up to $27 per month for business features like email marketing and advanced analytics. Squarespace starts at $15 per month. WordPress.com (the hosted version, not the self-hosted WordPress.org) starts at $4 per month for a basic blog, but $8 per month if you want to remove their branding and use your own domain. Shopify, built for online stores, starts at $29 per month.
These prices assume you pay monthly. Most builders offer a discount if you pay annually upfront — typically 20 to 30 percent off. A plan that costs $15 per month might cost $120 per year instead of $180. The trade-off is that you commit to the platform for a year and lose the flexibility to cancel month-to-month.
Domain names and where to buy them
A domain name is your web address — the part after www. Domain names cost $10 to $15 per year from registrars like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains. Some website builders include a free domain for the first year if you sign up for an annual plan, then charge the standard renewal price after that.
The price depends on the extension: .com, .org, .net, and most others cost roughly the same. Newer extensions like .design, .photography, or .tech can cost $15 to $40 per year. Prices also vary slightly by registrar — shopping around can save you a few dollars, though the difference is usually small.
If you already own a domain through one registrar, you can point it to a website builder without moving it. Most builders let you connect an outside domain for free, so you do not have to buy a new one or transfer it if you do not want to.
Self-hosted WordPress and the hidden costs of control
WordPress.org (self-hosted WordPress) is free software, but you have to pay for hosting — the server that stores your site's files. Hosting costs $3 to $10 per month from providers like Bluehost, SiteGround, or Kinsta. You also pay for your domain separately, at the standard $10 to $15 per year.
The appeal of self-hosted WordPress is control and cost at scale. If you are building a complex site or plan to run it for years, the monthly savings add up. The catch is that you are responsible for updates, backups, and security. Many people hire a developer or a managed WordPress host (which costs more, $20 to $100+ per month, but handles the technical work for you) because the time cost of managing it yourself is higher than the money saved.
Self-hosted WordPress also tempts you to add paid plugins — extensions that add features like forms, SEO tools, or e-commerce. A few paid plugins can easily add $20 to $50 per month to your costs. Website builders include many of these features in their base plan, so the total cost can end up similar or higher on WordPress once you add what you actually need.
Hiring a developer to build a custom site
If you hire a developer to build a site from scratch, costs depend on complexity, your location, and whether you hire locally or through a freelance platform. A straightforward brochure site (5 to 10 pages, no custom features) typically costs $2,000 to $5,000. A site with custom functionality, a database, or e-commerce integration costs $5,000 to $15,000 or more.
Developers usually charge by the hour ($50 to $150 per hour depending on experience and location) or by the project. Project pricing is more predictable for you, but developers often build in a buffer for scope creep — changes you ask for after the initial agreement. Getting a detailed written estimate before work begins protects both of you.
After launch, you still pay for hosting ($10 to $50 per month depending on traffic and features) and domain renewal ($10 to $15 per year). If the developer built the site on a platform like WordPress, you may also pay them for ongoing maintenance, updates, or changes — typically $50 to $200 per month, or a flat fee per change.
Add-ons and hidden costs that creep up
Beyond the base platform cost, several things can increase your bill. Email hosting (if you want an email address at your domain, like hello@yoursite.com) costs $5 to $10 per month through most providers. SSL certificates, which encrypt data and show a padlock in the browser, are free on most builders and hosting plans, but cost $50 to $200 per year if you buy them separately.
Premium themes or templates cost $20 to $100 one-time on WordPress, though many builders include templates in their base plan. Paid plugins for forms, backups, SEO, or analytics add $5 to $50 per month each. If you use a lot of them, your monthly bill can double.
The easiest way to avoid surprise costs is to list what features you actually need before you choose a platform, then check whether each platform includes them or charges extra. A builder that costs $15 per month but includes email, forms, and analytics might be cheaper than a $5 platform where each of those costs extra.
First-year costs versus ongoing costs
Your first year usually costs more than years after that because you may buy a domain, pay for a theme or custom design, or hire someone to set things up. After that, you mostly pay for hosting and domain renewal.
| Route | First Year | Year 2+ |
|---|---|---|
| Website builder (Wix, Squarespace) | $180–$480 (platform + domain) | $180–$480 |
| WordPress.org with basic hosting | $156–$240 (hosting + domain) | $156–$240 |
| WordPress.org with paid plugins | $300–$600+ | $300–$600+ |
| Custom developer build | $2,500–$15,000+ | $200–$800 (hosting + maintenance) |
The table shows typical ranges, not guarantees. Your actual costs depend on what features you use, whether you pay monthly or annually, and what add-ons you choose. A website builder with a discount annual plan might cost less than self-hosted WordPress once you add plugins.
How to estimate your own costs
Start by listing what you need: a blog, a contact form, an online store, email hosting, a mailing list tool. Then check two or three platforms and add up the real costs for each. Most builders offer a free trial or free tier, so you can test them without paying.
Write down the monthly cost, the annual domain cost, and any add-ons you need. Multiply the monthly cost by 12 and add the domain. That is your first-year estimate. For year two, use the same number — domain renewal costs the same as the first year, and most platforms do not raise prices for existing customers, though they may raise prices for new signups.
If you are considering hiring a developer, get at least two written quotes that describe what is included and what costs extra. Ask whether the quote includes updates and support after launch, or whether that is separate. A quote that seems low but excludes hosting and maintenance is not actually lower than one that includes both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build a website for free?
Yes, but with limits. Free tiers on Wix, WordPress.com, and Weebly let you build a site, but they show ads, limit storage, and require you to use their domain (like yourname.weebly.com instead of yourname.com). You can also use free WordPress.org hosting through some providers, though quality and support vary. Most people upgrade to a paid plan within months because the free limits become frustrating.
What is the cheapest way to get a website?
Self-hosted WordPress with basic hosting costs $3 to $10 per month plus $10 to $15 per year for a domain — roughly $50 to $150 per year total. A website builder costs $120 to $480 per year. The trade-off is that WordPress requires more technical knowledge or hiring help, which can cost more than the platform itself.
Do I have to pay every month, or can I pay once?
Most platforms require monthly or annual recurring payments for hosting. You cannot pay once and own the site forever — you are renting the space and tools. If you stop paying, your site goes offline. Custom developer builds are different: you pay upfront for the build, then pay separately for hosting and maintenance, so you could theoretically host it yourself and avoid ongoing platform costs.
Will my costs go up after I launch?
Probably not much. Most platforms keep the same price for existing customers, though they may raise prices for new signups. Your costs stay stable unless you add features (like paid plugins, email hosting, or premium themes) or your hosting needs grow because of increased traffic. Hosting upgrades for high-traffic sites can cost more, but that is rare for small sites.
Is it cheaper to use a website builder or hire a developer?
For a straightforward site, a builder is cheaper upfront and faster to launch. For a complex site with custom features, a developer may cost more initially but can build exactly what you need and may cost less to maintain long-term. If you need the site quickly and do not have technical skills, a builder saves money on both the platform and your time.