Why “Website Cost” Is a Hard Question (and Why That’s Normal)
“How much does a website cost?” is one of the most common and most confusing questions clients ask.
The reason it’s hard to answer isn’t because designers are being vague. It’s because a website isn’t a single product. It’s a scope-based project, shaped by your goals, content, and functionality needs.
That’s also why many designers offer both packages and custom projects: they serve different levels of clarity and complexity.
Typical Website Redesign Ranges
Rather than a single number, website projects usually fall into ranges based on complexity:
Entry-level / starter websites – Begin at $4,200
Best for organizations with clear content and straightforward needs. These are often well-suited to packages.
Mid-range redesigns – Range between $6,500–$12,000
Ideal for organizations that need stronger structure, strategy, and flexibility.
Larger or more complex websites – Often exceed $12,000
These often include many pages, multiple stakeholders, or custom functionality and require more planning and coordination.
Before answering “How much does a website cost?”, designers usually ask a different question:
What does your website need to support?
What Actually Affects Website Cost (a.k.a. the Scope)
What’s Included — and What’s Not
Website Packages
Packages are designed to provide clarity and predictability.
They typically include:
- a defined number of pages
- integration of text, images, and video
- responsive design
- standard forms
- basic SEO setup
They do not automatically include advanced features like booking systems, memberships, or custom integrations. Those are scoped separately if needed.
Custom Packages
Custom projects are tailored to your specific needs. Everything included (and not included) is clearly outlined up front based on scope.
When You Might Not Be Ready for a Redesign
A website redesign works best when it’s supporting something stable.
You may want to pause or clarify first if:
- your services or offerings are still changing
- internal decisions haven’t been settled
- the goals for your website aren’t yet clear
In those cases, clarifying content or direction first often leads to a stronger, more effective redesign later.
How to Think About ROI (Realistically)
For some, a website functions as a trusted reference point. It’s a place to send people who already know about the organization. For others, the goal is visibility: being found by new audiences through search.
Both are valid but they work differently.
Many people expect a website to bring in clients, often meaning improved SEO and discoverability. While a well-structured website absolutely supports this, it’s important to understand that SEO is a long-term strategy, not an instant switch.
A successful site:
- clearly explains what you do
- builds trust with the right audience
- supports referrals
- saves time internally
But it does not operate in isolation.
Search performance is influenced by:
- content quality
- site structure
- consistency over time
- how well a site aligns with what people are actually searching for
For most organizations, the real return on a website is cumulative. Over time, it becomes a reliable reference point, a foundation for ongoing SEO efforts, and a support system for referrals and outreach.
When expectations are aligned with how websites actually function, they tend to deliver far more value and far less frustration.
A Simple Next Step
If this overview helped clarify how website cost is shaped by scope, complexity, and readiness — great. You may already be closer to requesting pricing than you thought.
If you’re still unsure where your project lands, that’s completely normal. In many cases, uncertainty around cost is a signal that goals or direction need to be clarified before moving forward.
If you’d like help working through that, you’re welcome to reach out to inquire about a website strategy session: a dedicated working session designed to clarify direction, define scope, and determine the right path forward before discussing pricing.
Website Strategy Session
Not sure where your website project lands yet? A website strategy session is a dedicated working session designed to clarify direction, define scope, and determine the right path forward before discussing pricing.
If you’re still sorting out goals, internal alignment, or readiness, this session helps establish a clear foundation for next steps.