How Much Does a Decent Website Cost?
When you ask, “How much does a decent website cost?” you’re likely seeking a functional, professional site that gets the job done—nothing flashy, but not a clunker either. In 2025, “decent” means reliable, user-friendly, and presentable, with costs varying by approach (DIY or pro) and purpose (blog, business, or store). Let’s crunch the numbers to find your sweet spot.
Defining “Decent”
A decent website typically includes 3-10 pages, mobile responsiveness, basic SEO, and a clean design. It’s not bare-bones free-tier stuff, but it’s not a $20,000 custom build either. Think small business site, portfolio, or starter e-commerce—enough to impress without breaking the bank.
DIY Website Costs
Building it yourself with a website builder keeps costs low and manageable. Here’s the breakdown:
Platform Subscription:
Wix: $17-$27/month (Combo or Unlimited plans).
Squarespace: $16-$28/month (Personal or Business).
WordPress.com: $15-$25/month (Premium or Business); WordPress.org: free, plus $3-$10/month hosting.
Annual cost: $150-$300.
Domain: $10-$20/year via registrars like Namecheap.
Template: Free with most plans, or $20-$50 for a premium one-time purchase.
Extras: Basic plugins (e.g., contact forms) at $0-$20/year; stock images, $10-$50.
Time: 15-30 hours to set up—your sweat equity.
Total DIY cost: $200-$400 upfront, then $150-$350/year. A decent site here means functional and tidy, built in a weekend or two.
Hiring a Web Design Professional: Decent Design Fees
Paying a web designer elevates quality and cuts effort. For a “decent” site, expect:
Freelancers:
Junior: $500-$1,500 for a simple 3-5 page site.
Mid-Tier: $1,500-$3,000 for a custom 5-10 page design with polish.
Hourly: $25-$75/hour (20-40 hours).
Specialists: Platform-specific pros (e.g., Squarespace or WordPress) charge $1,000-$4,000 for a solid build with some features.
Small Agencies: $3,000-$6,000 for a team effort with strategy and support.
A 5-page business site with a pro might land at $1,500-$2,500; a starter store, $2,000-$4,000.
What Affects the Cost?
“Decent” isn’t one-size-fits-all—here’s what shifts the price:
Purpose: A blog costs less ($500-$1,000) than a shop with 10 products ($2,000-$4,000).
Features: Basic (forms, galleries) is cheap; e-commerce or bookings add $500-$1,000.
Content: You provide text/images? Savings. Pros charge $50-$200/page for copy or visuals.
Complexity: Templates keep it low; custom layouts push it up.
Ongoing Costs
After launch, you’re not done:
Hosting/Subscription: $3-$28/month (DIY platforms bundle this).
Maintenance: DIY is free (time aside); pros charge $50-$150/month.
Renewals: Domain ($10-$20/year), plugins ($0-$50/year).
Yearly upkeep: $100-$400.
Total Cost of a Decent Website
So, how much does a decent website cost? DIY totals $200-$400 initially, plus $150-$400/year—a small site might hit $500 all-in year one. Hiring a pro runs $500-$6,000 upfront, plus $200-$600/year—say $2,000-$3,000 total for a solid start. For most, $1,000-$3,000 delivers “decent” with room to grow. Weigh your skills and goals—DIY for thrift, pros for finesse. A decent site isn’t cheap, but it’s an investment that pays off.
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