It’s the first question almost every business owner asks, and it’s a fair one. The honest answer is that it depends on what your website needs to do.
So instead of a number, here’s what actually shapes the cost of a website, what to budget for after launch, and how to tell if a quote is fair. This is based on how I work with businesses in Vancouver, Surrey and the rest of the Lower Mainland.
The short answer
Every project is priced on its scope: how many pages, how much custom design, who writes the content and which features you need. Two websites that look similar can take very different amounts of work behind the scenes.
That’s why I always start with a short call. Once I understand your goals, you get a clear, written quote with everything included.
What changes the price
1. Number of pages
A five page site (Home, About, Services, Contact and one more) is very different from a site with a page for every service and every area you serve. Each page needs its own layout, copy and on-page SEO. More pages means more hours.
2. Template or custom design
Starting from a template is faster and cheaper. A custom design is built around your brand, your customers and the action you want people to take. If your business depends on standing out, custom is usually worth it. If you just need a clean, trustworthy presence online, a well adapted template can do the job.
3. The platform
I build on Webflow, Framer and WordPress. Each one has a different build time and a different monthly cost. I wrote a full comparison in Webflow vs Framer vs WordPress if you want the details.
4. Copy and content
Do you have your text and photos ready, or do you need help writing them? Good website copy takes time, and it has a big effect on whether visitors call you. I can write it, edit what you have, or work with your own writer.
5. Features
Booking tools, payment forms, a blog, a client portal, multi-language pages and third party integrations all add build and testing time. Not every business needs them on day one.
Costs that come after launch
A website isn’t a one time cost. Plan for these too:
- Domain name: renewed every year.
- Hosting or platform plan: monthly or yearly, depending on the platform.
- Maintenance: updates, backups, small content changes and fixes.
- Email: if you want an address on your own domain.
I explain all of these upfront so there are no surprises later.
How to tell if a quote is fair
A fair quote tells you exactly what’s included. Look for:
- A list of the pages being built.
- Who is writing the content.
- How many rounds of revisions you get.
- Whether basic on-page SEO is included.
- Who owns the site and the accounts when it’s done (it should be you).
- What support looks like after launch.
If a quote is very low and very vague, ask questions. The cheapest option often ends up costing more when the site needs rebuilding a year later.
Where to start
Write down what your website needs to do for you. More calls? More bookings? A place to send people after you meet them? That one goal shapes everything else. My checklist for hiring a website designer will help you get ready.
When you’re ready, send me a quick message and I’ll put together a clear estimate for your project.
