April 2026 · 7 min read
How Much Does a Website Cost? (Honest Breakdown for 2026)
"How much does a website cost?" is one of the most-searched questions in web design — and the answer varies wildly from $0 to over $50,000 depending on who you ask. We want to give you an honest, practical breakdown so you can make the right decision for your business.
The Main Options in 2025
DIY Website Builders
$16–$49/monthPros
+ Low upfront cost
+ No technical skill needed
Cons
− Ongoing monthly fees forever
− Limited customisation
− You don't own your design
− Slower, heavier sites
Best for: Testing an idea with no budget
WordPress + Hosting
$100–$500/yearPros
+ Flexible
+ Large plugin library
Cons
− Ongoing maintenance required
− Security vulnerabilities
− Needs plugins for basic features
− Can become slow and bloated
Best for: Bloggers and content-heavy sites
Custom Hand-Coded Website
$29–$500 (one-time)Pros
+ You own every file
+ Fast, clean, no bloat
+ No monthly costs
+ Better SEO baseline
Cons
− Needs a designer to update content
Best for: Small businesses wanting a professional presence
Freelance Designer
$300–$3,000+Pros
+ Full custom design
+ Direct communication
Cons
− Wide quality variation
− Can take weeks
− Higher cost
Best for: Businesses with specific design requirements
Web Design Agency
$2,000–$50,000+Pros
+ Dedicated team
+ Scalable
+ Full project management
Cons
− Very expensive
− Long timelines
− Often over-engineered for small businesses
Best for: Enterprise or complex web applications
The Hidden Cost of "Free" or Cheap Builders
A $16/month website builder seems cheap — until you do the maths. Over 5 years that is $960 minimum, and you still don't own the design. If you ever want to move platforms, you start from scratch. By contrast, a one-time $29 custom hand-coded website costs you nothing ongoing and is yours forever. Compare Wix's current pricing and you'll see the ongoing cost quickly adds up.
What Our $29 Website Includes
At AffordaWeb Solutions, a custom website starting from $29 includes up to 6 pages, mobile-first responsive design, SEO-optimised HTML structure, and a complete ZIP file you own and can host anywhere. It is built by hand by our Top Rated Filipino web design team — not generated by AI or assembled from drag-and-drop blocks.
Optional: add our live hosting setup service for +$25 and we will get your site online for you.
What Should I Actually Pay for a Small Business Website?
For most small businesses — a local shop, a service provider, a restaurant, a photographer — a custom hand-coded website in the $29–$299 range is more than sufficient and outperforms builder sites on speed and SEO. You do not need to pay thousands for a great result. Want to explore your options further? See all your website options compared →
Get a professional website from $29
No subscriptions. No builders. Hand-coded by our Filipino web design team.
Order My Website →