How Much Does a Website Cost in 2026? Pricing Breakdown for Business & SaaS
Website pricing confuses most business owners—and for good reason. The cost to build a website ranges from as low as $120 to upward of $50,000, depending on what you actually need. The type of website you're building, the features required, and the level of design and development quality all play major roles in determining the final price. This guide breaks down realistic 2026 pricing by website type, so you can budget confidently and avoid expensive surprises.
What Actually Affects Website Cost?
Before diving into specific numbers, here's what drives your website investment:
- Design quality – Template-based designs cost less; custom designs require more time and expertise.
- Number of pages – More pages mean more design and development work.
- Features & functionality – Forms, user authentication, dashboards, payment processing, and CMS integration all add complexity.
- Content creation – Professional copywriting and custom imagery increase costs.
- Tech stack choice – Static sites are simpler; SaaS platforms with databases and APIs are more complex.
- Ongoing maintenance – Updates, security, and hosting are recurring expenses are recurring expenses
Website Cost by Type
A. Landing Pages (Conversion-Focused)
Best for: Product launches, ad campaigns, lead generation, testing MVPs.
Landing pages are single-page websites built to drive one specific action—whether that's capturing emails, generating leads, or driving sales. A single landing page typically costs between $1,000 and $5,000.
What's included:
- Hero section with compelling headline
- Clear call-to-action (CTA)
- Lead capture form
- Basic analytics integration
- Mobile-responsive design
Price range:
- Freelancer: $500–$2,500
- Agency: $2,000–$5,000
Timeline: 3–7 days for freelancers, 1–2 weeks for agencies.
B. Promotional / Marketing Websites
Best for: Startups, service providers, personal brands, consultants.
These are small-to-mid-sized websites (typically 3–7 pages) designed to showcase your business, build credibility, and convert visitors into customers.
What's included:
- Home, About, Services, Contact pages.
- Responsive design for all devices.
- Basic SEO structure.
- Basic analytics integration
- Optional CMS for easy updates.
Price range:
- Freelancer: $1,000–$5,000
- Agency: $5,000–$15,000
Timeline: 2–4 weeks.
Who this is ideal for: Small businesses that need an online presence without complex functionality.
C. Business Websites (Service-Based)
Best for: Agencies, local businesses, B2B companies, professional services.
Business websites typically fall between $1,000 and $50,000, with small local businesses starting around $650 and medium-sized businesses investing $15,000 to $50,000 for more advanced features.
What's included:
- Multiple service/product pages.
- Case studies and testimonials.
- Blog or resource section.
- Contact forms and lead capture.
- CMS integration.
- SEO-friendly structure.
- Integration with CRM or email marketing tools.
Price range:
- Freelancer: $2,500–$10,000
- Agency: $10,000–$50,000
Timeline: 4–12 weeks.
Maintenance expectations: Budget $100–$500/month for updates, security, and content management.
D. SaaS Websites (With Product Logic)
Best for: SaaS startups, tech companies, platforms with user dashboards.
SaaS websites are the most complex because they combine marketing pages with actual application functionality—user authentication, dashboards, payment processing, and database management.
What's included:
- Marketing/landing pages.
- User authentication (login/signup).
- User dashboards and account management.
- Admin panels.
- Payment gateway integration.
- API integrations with third-party tools.
- Scalable cloud infrastructure.
- Security and compliance (GDPR, HIPAA if needed).
Price range:
- Freelancer/Small Team: $15,000–$60,000 (MVP)
- Agency/Full Build: $50,000–$150,000+
Building a SaaS application typically ranges from $50,000 to $150,000 for a minimum viable product (MVP), with more complex platforms potentially exceeding $250,000.
Timeline: 3–9+ months depending on complexity.
Ongoing development: Unlike static websites, SaaS platforms require continuous development for new features, bug fixes, and scaling. Expect $5,000–$20,000+ per month for ongoing development and maintenance.
One-Time Cost vs Ongoing Cost
Understanding both upfront and recurring expenses helps you plan realistically.
| One Time Costs | Ongoing Costs |
|---|---|
| Initial design & development | Domain renewal ($10–$30/year) |
| Content creation (copy, images) | Hosting ($5–$500+/month) |
| Brand assets (logo, graphics) | SSL certificate (often included in hosting) |
| Initial SEO setup | Content updates & maintenance |
| Launch and deployment | Security monitoring & updates |
| N/A | Feature enhancements (SaaS) |
| N/A | Email marketing tools |
| N/A | Analytics and tracking tools |
For SaaS businesses specifically, ongoing costs are substantial—operational expenses including SEO, hosting, and maintenance typically account for 20-50% of total web-related costs.
Cheap vs Professional Websites: What's the Real Difference?
| Feature | $200–$1,000 Websites | $5,000–$50,000+ Websites |
|---|---|---|
| Customization | Template-based with minimal changes | Fully custom design tailored to your brand |
| Performance | Basic optimization, slower load time | Optimized for speed, loads in under 2 seconds |
| Scalability | Limited room for growth | Built to scale with your business |
| Mobile Experience | Basic responsiveness | Refined mobile UX, tested across devices |
| SEO Foundation | Minimal or DIY SEO | Professional SEO structure from day one |
| Support | Minimal or no support after launch | Ongoing support and maintenance included |
| Business Impact | Gets you online | Generates leads, builds trust, drives revenue |
The reality: 75% of users judge a company's credibility based on its website design. A cheap website might save money upfront, but it often costs you more in lost opportunities and trust.
How to Choose the Right Website for Your Business
Before you invest, answer these questions:
1. What's your primary goal?
- Lead generation → Landing page or marketing website
- Credibility & trust → Business website with case studies
- Selling products → E-commerce functionality
- User signups → SaaS platform
2. What's your growth plan?
- Need to scale fast? Invest in flexibility and scalability from the start
- Testing an idea? Start with an MVP and iterate
3. Budget vs ROI
- A well-designed website isn't an expense—it's an investment that pays dividends through leads, sales, and brand equity
- Consider lifetime value: what's a new customer worth to your business?
4. Do you need ongoing development?
- Static business websites need minimal updates
- SaaS platforms require continuous feature development and scaling
Ready to Build Your Website?
Not sure which type fits your business goals? Whether you need a high-converting landing page or a full-scale SaaS platform, understanding the right investment for your specific needs is crucial.
Get a personalized breakdown based on your project requirements, timeline, and business goals—no pushy sales tactics, just honest pricing.