January 2026
Website pricing in Australia is all over the map. You'll find quotes from $500 to $50,000 for what sounds like the same thing. The problem is everyone's selling something different, but using the same words to describe it.
So let's cut through the sales talk and break down what websites actually cost and why. Because the last thing you need is to pay $8,000 for something you could have got for $2,000, or worse — pay $2,000 for something that doesn't work.
Cost: $0-$500/year
Wix, Squarespace, Shopify — these platforms let you build a website yourself. They're cheap, they're quick, and they work. Sort of.
The good: You can have something online in a weekend. Templates look modern. Hosting is included. No technical knowledge needed.
The bad: You're stuck with their limitations. Want to add a custom feature? Too bad. Need to integrate with your existing systems? Probably not happening. Want to rank well on Google? You're fighting an uphill battle.
The real cost: Your time. Building a proper site on these platforms takes 20-40 hours if you want it to look decent and work properly. And you'll probably rebuild it twice before you're happy.
Best for: Testing an idea, simple brochure sites, or if you genuinely enjoy tinkering with website builders.
Cost: $1,500-$3,000
This is where someone takes a pre-built template, customizes it with your content and branding, and sets it up properly. It's like buying a house that's already built instead of designing one from scratch.
The good: Much faster than custom work. Still looks professional. Usually includes proper SEO setup. You own everything when it's done.
The bad: You're limited by what the template can do. If you need something it wasn't designed for, you're stuck or facing expensive modifications.
Most small businesses in Australia fall into this category. You get a professional-looking site that does what you need without the cost and complexity of custom development.
Best for: Most service businesses, retail stores, restaurants, trades — anything where you need to look professional online without breaking the bank.
Cost: $3,000-$10,000+ (small business range)
This is where everything gets built specifically for your business. Custom design, custom functionality, custom everything.
The good: You get exactly what you need. No compromises. It can grow with your business. Integrates with whatever systems you use.
The bad: Takes longer. Costs more. Requires more planning upfront.
But here's the thing — custom doesn't always mean expensive. A smart developer can build custom solutions that cost less than agency template work. It's about knowing what to build from scratch and what to use existing tools for.
Best for: Businesses with specific requirements, complex integrations, or ambitious growth plans.
Number of pages: More pages = more time = more money. But five well-designed pages usually beat fifteen rushed ones.
Custom functionality: Contact forms are standard. Booking systems, member portals, e-commerce — these add complexity and cost.
Design complexity: Simple, clean designs often cost less than elaborate ones. Counter-intuitive, but true.
Content: Some developers include copywriting. Others expect you to provide everything. Writing good web copy is harder than most people think.
Integrations: Connecting to your CRM, accounting software, booking system, or payment processor adds time and complexity.
Mobile optimization: Should be standard in 2026, but ask anyway. More Australians browse on mobile than desktop.
The website price is just the start. Here's what you'll pay annually:
Hosting: $100-$500/year depending on your needs. Cheap hosting is usually false economy.
Domain: $15-$50/year for your .com.au or .com
Updates and maintenance: $500-$2,000/year. WordPress sites need more maintenance than custom-built ones.
Security and backups: Often included with good hosting, but budget $200-$500/year if it's not.
Factor these in when comparing quotes. A $2,000 website that costs $1,500/year to maintain isn't cheaper than a $4,000 site that costs $300/year.
I'm not the cheapest option. You can get a website for less elsewhere. I'm also not the most expensive — big agencies charge double what I do for similar work.
I focus on custom solutions that work like templates. Fast to build, affordable to maintain, but designed specifically for your business. No agency overhead, no lengthy discovery phases, no project managers between you and the work.
Most of my small business websites fall in the $2,500-$5,000 range. That gets you something built specifically for your business, not adapted from someone else's template.
But honestly? The right price for your website is whatever gets you the result you need without breaking your budget. Sometimes that's DIY. Sometimes it's custom. Most of the time it's somewhere in between.
Price isn't the only factor. Here's how to make sure you're getting value:
Ask what's included: Don't compare a $2,000 quote that includes everything with a $1,500 quote that doesn't include hosting, content, or SEO setup.
Check the ongoing relationship: The cheapest developer often disappears after launch. Factor in what happens when you need changes.
Look at their other work: A portfolio tells you more than any sales pitch. If they haven't built sites for businesses like yours, that's a risk.
Consider the timeline: Rushed work is rarely good work. And delayed projects cost you opportunity.
The best website investment is one that pays for itself through new customers, saved time, or reduced admin work. Everything else is just an expense.
In 2026, a small business in Australia should expect to pay:
• $0-$500/year for DIY builders
• $1,500-$3,000 for professional template work
• $3,000-$10,000 for custom development
The right choice depends on your needs, not your budget. A $500 DIY site that doesn't work is more expensive than a $5,000 custom build that brings in new customers every month.
Don't shop on price alone. Shop on value. Find someone who understands your business, shows you relevant work, gives you a clear quote, and will be around when you need them.
And if you're not sure what you need? Have a chat — I'm always happy to talk through options, even if that means pointing you toward someone else.