Website Cost
It's the most-asked question in web development, and most answers are useless. Here's the full honest spectrum — from DIY builders to custom agency builds — with real numbers, what each level gets you, and how to find where your business actually fits.
Website Cost by Level
DIY website builder
You build it; templates, no custom code; very simple sites
Freelancer / small build
Basic custom work; limited functionality and support
Professional custom site
Custom design, conversion-engineered, integrations, CMS
Complex / large site
Significant custom functionality and integration
Enterprise site
Large-scale, deep integration, security, governance
Ongoing (hosting + care)
From DIY hosting to managed maintenance of a complex site
DIY vs Freelancer vs Agency — Which Is Right?
DIY builder
Very simple sites, tight budget. No custom, you do the work, limited scale.
Freelancer
Small custom needs. Continuity, scale, breadth limitations.
Agency (custom)
Revenue/ops-critical sites. Higher cost, but site must convert, integrate, scale.
Enterprise build
Large, complex orgs. Cost and overhead, but handles complex scale.
Route Comparison
Each route fits a different situation. Here's the honest comparison.
DIY Builder
Simple presence, you'll maintain it
No custom, limited scale
Freelancer
Small project, low stakes
Continuity and scale limitations
Custom Agency
Revenue/ops-critical sites
Higher cost, but full capability