How Much Does Website Design Cost in 2026? (And What You Actually Get for Your Money)

Let's talk about the question everyone wants to ask but feels awkward bringing up: what does a custom website actually cost?

I get it. You're Googling this at 11pm, probably switching between tabs comparing designers, trying to figure out if that $500 website on Fiverr is secretly genius or a disaster waiting to happen (it's usually the latter, but we'll get to that.)

As a Calgary website designer who's also a small business owner, I know exactly what you're thinking: "I need a professional website, but I also need to eat this month." Let me break down what website design actually costs, why the price varies so much, and how to make the smartest investment for your business.

The Real Numbers: What Custom Website Design Actually Costs

Here's the honest truth: a custom website for a small business typically ranges from $2,000 to $10,000.

I know. That's a big range. But there's a reason for it.

On the Lower End ($2,000-$5,000)

This gets you a beautifully branded, professional website with the essentials:

• Homepage that converts

• Services or About page

• Contact page with forms

• Mobile-responsive design

• Basic SEO setup

• Training on how to update it yourself

Perfect for service-based businesses, coaches, consultants, or anyone who needs a solid online presence without all the bells and whistles.

Real example: I recently designed a website for a landscaping company in Calgary for $3,000. It was a clean Squarespace site with the basics done right. He wanted ongoing maintenance support, so we spread the cost out over time instead of one big payment. The site launched in about 5 weeks, and he's been booking jobs from it ever since.

Mid-Range ($4,500-$7,000)

This is where things get more custom and strategic:

• Multiple pages (5-8+)

• Custom integrations (booking systems, email marketing, CRM)

• Advanced SEO optimization

• Custom copywriting with your brand voice

• Portfolio or gallery sections

• Blog setup

• More complex design elements

Great for established businesses ready to level up, creative professionals who need to showcase work, or anyone with more complex needs.

Real example: I designed a website for a professional artist on Wix Studio for $5,000. It included a homepage, contact, detailed gallery, about page, and individual pages for each artwork. Because she had so many paintings to showcase (and we wanted each one to shine), the project took about 8 weeks. Her site now works as a 24/7 gallery that brings in commissions while she's in her studio creating.

Higher End ($7,000-$10,000+)

This is the full custom experience:

• E-commerce functionality

• Extensive page count (10+)

• Multiple integrations and automations

• Advanced SEO strategy

• Custom animations or interactive elements

• Membership areas or client portals

• Ongoing maintenance included

Perfect for businesses selling products online, consultants with complex service offerings, or anyone who needs a website that does serious heavy lifting.

Why the Price Varies So Much (And What You're Actually Paying For)

Look, if you're comparing a $500 website to a $5,000 one, you're not just paying for "more hours." Here's what actually changes the price:

Number of Pages

A 3-page site is straightforward. A 15-page site with custom layouts for each? That's a completely different project. More pages mean more strategy, more design work, and more time making sure everything flows together.

Customization Level

Are we using a template with your colors slapped on? Or are we building something completely custom that works exactly how your business needs it to? Custom design takes significantly more time but looks (and performs) infinitely better.

Integrations and Features

Want online booking? Email automation? E-commerce? A client portal? Each integration adds complexity and time. Some are plug-and-play, others require custom setup and testing to make sure they actually work.

SEO and Copywriting

A website without SEO is basically invisible. A website without strategic copy doesn't convert. When these are included (and done well), you're paying for expertise that directly impacts your bottom line.

Platform Choice

I choose the platform based on what's best for YOU, not what's easiest for me. Here's how I think about it:

Wix Studio is my go-to for most clients. The responsive design options are incredible (meaning your site looks amazing on every device), it's intuitive enough that you can manage basic updates yourself, and there are tons of tutorials online if you get stuck. It's powerful for designers but user-friendly for business owners.

Squarespace is perfect if you want something even more straightforward. It's beautifully designed out of the box and super intuitive if you have zero tech experience. Great for simpler sites that still need to look polished.

Webflow is amazing for advanced functionality and design control, but the learning curve is steep. Unless you're comfortable diving into more technical aspects (or planning to hire ongoing help), this probably isn't your best bet.

I always consider your subscription costs, the features you actually need, and how comfortable you are managing your own site when recommending a platform. There's no one-size-fits-all answer.

The Timeline: How Long Does This Actually Take?

Most websites take 4 to 10 weeks from kickoff to launch. The average? About 6 weeks.

Here's what affects the timeline:

How prepared you are at the start. If you come to our first meeting with your content ready, brand assets organized, and a clear vision, we move way faster. If we're starting from "I need a website but haven't thought about it much," expect the longer end of that range.

Complexity of the project. A 3-page site with standard features? 4-5 weeks. A portfolio site with 30+ projects that each need custom layouts? 8-10 weeks.

Your response time. I'll keep the project moving, but if it takes you two weeks to review designs or provide feedback, that adds to the timeline. (No judgment—I get it, you're busy running a business.)

Revisions and changes. Some tweaking is totally normal and built into the process. Major direction changes or scope additions will extend the timeline.

The artist website project I mentioned? That took 8 weeks because we were showcasing so many individual pieces and wanted each one to look stunning. The landscaping site? Done in 5 weeks because we kept it focused and efficient.

What's Included in My Website Design Projects

I don't believe in nickel-and-diming you for every little thing. When you work with me, here's what's typically included:

• Custom design tailored to your brand (no templates)

• SEO optimization so people can actually find you

• Content strategy and copywriting in your brand voice

• Strategic layout designed to convert visitors into customers

• Mobile-responsive design (because everyone's on their phones)

• Training on how to manage your site

• 30 days of post-launch support for tweaks and questions

I always start by getting to know you and your goals first. What's your budget? What are you trying to achieve? Who are your ideal clients? Then we figure out the best fit from there.

Payment Options

Let's talk about actually paying for this thing, because I know the sticker shock is real.

Deposit + Final Payment

Most designers (including me) require at least a 25% deposit to get started, with the rest due at launch. This protects both of us and ensures we're both committed to the project.

Payment Plans

I offer payment plans to spread the cost over several months. Investing in your website is important, but so is managing your cash flow. We can work out a plan that makes sense for your business.

Phased Projects

If budget is tight right now, we can launch with the essentials and add more complex features later. Start with a solid 3-page site, then add the blog, booking system, or portfolio section in phase two when you have more budget.

Tax Deductible Investment

Good news: your website is a business expense, which means it's typically tax deductible. (Always check with your accountant to be sure, but this is generally a write-off that makes the investment easier to swallow.)

The $500 Website Trap

Okay, let's address the elephant in the room: yes, you can absolutely get a website designed for $500-$1,000.

But (and this is a big but), if your website is literally your money-maker, if it's how clients find you, book you, and decide whether to work with you, I really don't recommend cheaping out.

Here's why I'm biased (and why I think my bias is justified):

Designers go to school for this. We study the psychology of visual design, conversion optimization, user experience, and strategic copywriting. We take all the guesswork out of it for you. A cheap designer or DIY website usually skips all of that expertise.

I've seen this story play out too many times. Business owner tries to save money with a budget designer or DIY route. Site doesn't convert. They spend months watching competitors book clients while their site sits there looking... not great. They research, watch tutorials, try to fix it themselves. Eventually, they come to me to either fix major issues or completely redesign it. In the end, they've spent MORE money, lost out on potential sales, and wasted precious time they could've spent actually running their business.

Your website is your 24/7 salesperson. Would you hire a salesperson who doesn't know what they're doing, can't answer questions professionally, and makes your business look sketchy? No? Then why would you do that with your website?

First impressions are everything. When someone lands on your site, they decide in about 3 seconds whether you're legit or not. A cheap-looking website tells potential clients that you don't value quality, so why should they pay premium prices for your services?

Now, if you're literally just starting out and have zero cash flow, I completely understand going the budget route temporarily. But if you're established, have some income coming in, and want to grow, spend the money on a designer. Every single client I've worked with has told me they wish they'd done it sooner.

What Happens After Your Website Launches?

Your website investment doesn't end at launch. Here's what you'll need to budget for ongoing:

Domain Name: $15-$30/year

Your domain (yourwebsite.com) is pretty cheap to maintain. You'll need to renew it annually, and it's one of those "set it and forget it" expenses.

Hosting/Platform Subscription

• Wix: $27-$49/month depending on your plan

• Squarespace: $23-$65/month depending on features

• Webflow: $29-$49/month for basic business sites

These subscriptions usually include hosting, security, and basic support. Some people pay monthly, others save a bit by paying annually.

SEO and Content

Here's the thing about SEO: it's a long game. Your website won't magically rank #1 on Google the day it launches. If you want to build authority over time (and stay competitive), you should really consider:

• Starting a blog to consistently add fresh, relevant content

• Regular updates to keep your site current

• Ongoing SEO work as algorithms change and competitors catch up

Google trusts sites that prove they're active, helpful, and authoritative. A blog is one of the best ways to do that.

Maintenance and Updates

Things break. Features need updating. You'll want to add new services or change your pricing. Budget for either:

• Learning to do basic updates yourself (most of my clients choose this)

• Hiring ongoing support (I offer monthly maintenance packages)

• Reaching out as needed for bigger updates

The Biggest Misconception About Website Design Pricing

People think the smart move is to go as cheap as possible.

I'm going to be real with you: if you're just testing out a business idea or truly have no budget, start cheap. But if you're past that phase—if you have clients, cash flow, and proof that your business works—cheaping out on your website is actually the expensive choice.

Here's what I've seen happen:

Scenario 1: Budget Website

• Spend $500 on cheap design

• Site doesn't convert or look professional

• Spend 20+ hours trying to fix it yourself

• Watch competitors book clients while you tinker with your site

• Finally hire a real designer 6-12 months later

• Total cost: $500 + $3,500 (redesign) + lost revenue + your sanity = way more expensive

Scenario 2: Investment in Quality

• Spend $3,500-$5,000 on custom design

• Site launches professionally and converts from day one

• You focus on serving clients while your website works for you

• Make back your investment in 2-4 client bookings

• Total cost: One payment, immediate results, peace of mind

Which scenario sounds better to you?

So, What Should YOU Invest in Your Website?

Here's my honest recommendation based on where you are:

Just Starting Out (Under 6 months in business)

Keep it simple and affordable. A $1,500-$3,000 site with the basics is fine. Focus on getting clients and proving your concept. You can always upgrade later.

Established But Growing (6 months - 2 years)

This is where investing pays off. Budget $3,000-$5,000 for a custom site that actually converts. You have clients now—your website should be bringing in more of them.

Ready to Scale (2+ years, consistent revenue)

Go all in. $5,000-$10,000+ for a fully custom, strategic website with all the features you need. At this point, your website should be one of your best marketing investments.

Curious How Much Your Website Will Cost?

Website pricing feels confusing, and it's hard to know what's worth it. But here's what I know from working with dozens of small business owners in Calgary:

The ones who invest in a quality website early? They grow faster, book better clients, and stress less about their online presence.

The ones who cheap out? They end up spending more in the long run and miss opportunities while their DIY site sits there not converting.

Book a free consultation and we'll figure out the best investment for where you are right now.

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