Web Development Pricing Guide 2024

Understanding web development costs helps you budget correctly and avoid overpaying. Here's what websites cost in 2024.

Website Types & Pricing

1. Basic Website ($500-2,000)

What you get:

• 5-10 pages
• Template-based design
• Contact form
• Mobile responsive
• Basic SEO
• WordPress or similar CMS

Best for: Small local businesses, personal sites

Timeline: 2-4 weeks

2. Business Website ($2,000-10,000)

What you get:

• 10-30 pages
• Custom design
• CMS integration
• Blog functionality
• Advanced SEO
• Email integration
• Analytics setup
• Social media integration

Best for: Established small businesses

Timeline: 1-2 months

3. E-commerce Website ($5,000-25,000)

What you get:

• Product catalog
• Shopping cart
• Payment processing
• Inventory management
• Order management
• Customer accounts
• Security features
• Mobile optimization

Best for: Online stores, retail businesses

Timeline: 2-3 months

4. Custom Web Application ($10,000-100,000+)

What you get:

• Custom functionality
• User authentication
• Database integration
• API development
• Admin dashboard
• Advanced features
• Scalable architecture
• Security hardening

Best for: SaaS, startups, enterprise

Timeline: 3-12 months

Pricing Models

Fixed Price

Total: $5,000
Includes: Design, development, testing, launch
Payment: 50% upfront, 50% on completion

Pros: Predictable budget Cons: Changes cost extra

Hourly Rate

Rate: $50-200/hour
Estimated: 40-80 hours
Total: $2,000-16,000

Pros: Flexible, pay for actual work Cons: Final cost uncertain

Monthly Retainer

Monthly: $1,000-5,000
Includes: Development, maintenance, updates
Minimum: 3-6 months

Pros: Ongoing support Cons: Long-term commitment

Typical Hourly Rates (2024)

Experience Level	Rate Range
Junior Developer	$25-50/hour
Mid-Level Developer	$50-100/hour
Senior Developer	$100-200/hour
Technical Lead	$150-300/hour
Agency	$100-250/hour

What Affects Price?

Increases Cost

• ✅ Custom design
• ✅ Complex functionality
• ✅ E-commerce features
• ✅ Third-party integrations
• ✅ Mobile app
• ✅ Advanced animations
• ✅ Multilingual support
• ✅ High security requirements
• ✅ Rush timeline

Reduces Cost

• ✅ Template design
• ✅ Simple functionality
• ✅ DIY CMS (WordPress)
• ✅ Standard features
• ✅ Web-only (no app)
• ✅ Flexible timeline
• ✅ Provide content ready
• ✅ Limit revisions

Hidden Costs to Consider

Ongoing Costs

• Domain: $10-50/year
• Hosting: $50-500/year
• SSL Certificate: $0-200/year
• Email: $60-120/year
• Maintenance: $50-500/month
• Updates: $100-1,000/year
• Backups: $10-50/month

Optional Costs

• Stock photos: $10-100 each
• Premium plugins: $50-300 each
• SEO services: $500-5,000/month
• Content writing: $50-500/page
• Logo design: $300-5,000
• Branding: $1,000-10,000

Red Flags

Too Cheap

❌ "Professional website for $99"
❌ "Complete e-commerce site for $500"
❌ "Custom app for $1,000"

If it sounds too good to be true, it is.

Vague Pricing

❌ No clear deliverables
❌ Unlimited revisions
❌ No contract
❌ Payment all upfront

Lack of Process

❌ No discovery phase
❌ No wireframes/mockups
❌ No testing plan
❌ No timeline

How to Save Money

1. Prepare Content

   • Write all text yourself
   • Provide photos/images
   • Know exactly what you want

2. Use Templates

   • Choose a good template
   • Customize colors/fonts
   • Add your content

3. Limit Revisions

   • Be decisive
   • Give clear feedback once
   • Approve in batches

4. DIY What You Can

   • Update content yourself
   • Learn basic CMS
   • Handle social media

5. Phase the Project

   • Launch with essentials
   • Add features later
   • Spread out costs

Questions to Ask

Before hiring, ask:

1. What's included in the price?

   • Design revisions?
   • Content entry?
   • Testing?
   • Training?
   • Post-launch support?

2. What's the timeline?

   • Start date?
   • Milestone dates?
   • Launch date?

3. What do you need from me?

   • Content?
   • Photos?
   • Feedback timeline?

4. What happens after launch?

   • Maintenance options?
   • Update costs?
   • Support availability?

Value vs. Cost

Cheapest isn't always best. Consider:

$1,000 website that:

• Loads slowly
• Doesn't convert
• Looks unprofessional
• Breaks often

vs.

$5,000 website that:

• Loads fast
• Converts visitors
• Looks professional
• Works reliably

The $5,000 site pays for itself quickly.

Conclusion

Web development pricing in 2024:

• Basic site: $500-2,000
• Business site: $2,000-10,000
• E-commerce: $5,000-25,000
• Custom app: $10,000-100,000+

Choose based on your needs and budget. Invest in quality—your website is your digital storefront. A good website pays dividends for years.

Get multiple quotes, check portfolios, and choose based on value, not just price.