In 2024, the cost of web design in Australia can range significantly, depending on factors like the designer’s location, the type of agency or freelancer you choose, the scope of the project, and the level of expertise required. Whether you’re a small business looking for a simple site or a growing company in need of a full-scale, custom-designed platform, understanding the various cost components is crucial to making an informed decision.
For example, a medium-sized agency like Stone Digital, which specialises in crafting personalised and customised websites, typically charges between $8,000 and $20,000. This price reflects our commitment to delivering a tailored experience that aligns with your unique business goals, incorporating custom design elements, high-level functionality, and ongoing website maintenance.
However, it’s important to remember that there can be hidden costs involved in web design. Beyond the upfront fee, you’ll need to consider ongoing maintenance, updates, and potential marketing integrations. Therefore, when budgeting for a website, take into account the full scope of what’s needed to ensure you get a polished, high-performing site without unexpected expenses down the road.
Scope and Complexity Of a Website
The scope and complexity of your website will greatly impact the price you can expect to pay. Let’s break down how different types of websites affect the overall cost:
Simple Websites
A simple website typically includes a few pages—think a homepage, contact page, and maybe a blog or gallery. These websites are ideal for small businesses or personal projects that only need to convey basic information. Features are straightforward: contact forms, standard plugins, and maybe a little SEO optimization. Because the design and development are fairly quick, these projects are often on the lower end of the price scale. However, if you want a web designer who follows SEO best practices or excels in UI (User Interface) and UX (User Experience), costs can rise slightly.
Medium Complexity Websites
A medium complexity website will have more features, such as custom-designed pages, e-commerce functionality, and integration with external systems like CRM software or payment gateways. If you’re running an e-commerce site, the need for product databases, secure payment systems, and user-friendly navigation increases both the complexity and cost. These projects require more time, more expertise, and often cost anywhere from $8,000 to $20,000 depending on the level of customization and design elements involved.
High Complexity Websites
High complexity websites are a whole different beast. These websites often include advanced features like custom web applications, interactive elements, and extensive content management systems. Projects in this category might be for large corporations, online marketplaces, or highly interactive platforms. E-commerce projects in this range often need hosted solutions, automated systems, and bespoke user pathways—all while maintaining a sharp focus on user experience (UX) and security. Naturally, these websites are the most costly, as they demand significant expertise, time, and ongoing support.
Single Landing Page Website
A single landing page website usually costs between $2,000 and $5,000. This type of site is very simple and ideal for businesses looking to quickly establish an online presence without a lot of bells and whistles. While it’s a budget-friendly option, it does come with limitations. A single page might not provide enough space to fully convey your brand’s message or drive conversions, as it lacks the depth and detail found in more comprehensive websites.
Simple Company Website
For a more traditional company website with around 5-10 pages, you can expect to pay between $5,000 and $15,000. These websites typically include essential pages like Home, About, Services, and Contact, offering a more complete overview of your business. While they are straightforward and don’t include custom features, this type of website works well for small to medium-sized businesses that need a professional, yet simple, online presence.
E-commerce Website
E-commerce websites, designed specifically for selling products online, range from $7,000 to $20,000. These sites come with all the necessary features for online shopping, such as product listings, category pages, and secure payment gateways. E-commerce sites tend to be more complex due to the functionality required for smooth transactions and managing inventory, making them more costly than basic company websites.
The Hidden Costs of Website Design
When budgeting for website design, many businesses overlook the hidden costs that can arise down the line.
Choosing the cheapest option may seem like a smart way to save money upfront, but it often leads to bigger problems later. Opting for a low-cost freelancer or agency can sometimes mean dealing with a lack of skills, shortcuts, or poor-quality work. These issues can surface after launch, requiring expensive fixes that ultimately cost you more than if you’d invested in a reputable web development agency from the start.
Beyond the initial price, it’s also important to consider the time and effort it may take on your part to fix issues, manage poor communication, or handle subpar results. Additionally, a poorly designed website can harm your business’s reputation, driving away potential customers and diminishing trust in your brand. In the long run, cutting corners on web design can be a costly mistake that affects both your wallet and your business’s credibility
The Impact Of Custom Web Development Charges
Custom web development plays a major role in determining the overall cost of your website and should be carefully considered during the project’s planning phase. The more complex the website—such as building portals or setting up an e-commerce platform—the more customization it typically requires, which drives up costs. Larger brands often need bespoke designs and functionality that align with their unique business needs, further increasing development expenses.
It’s also worth noting that many “website designers” lack the technical skills to handle complex development work. If this is the case, you may need to hire a separate developer, leading to additional costs. This makes it crucial to choose a team that can handle both the design and development aspects of your project to avoid unexpected expenses later on.
The CMS
When opting for a DIY website, the content management system (CMS) you choose will have a significant impact on both the cost and ease of building your site. A CMS is essentially a software platform that allows you to create, manage, and modify digital content on your website without needing advanced coding skills. Popular CMS options include WordPress, Shopify, Wix, and Squarespace.
If you’re working with a freelancer or agency, they should clearly explain which CMS they are using and why. This is crucial because each CMS has different features, levels of customization, and ongoing costs that can affect both the initial setup and future management of your site. Understanding the CMS your designer recommends will help you make more informed decisions about your website’s functionality and long-term costs.
WordPress
WordPress remains the dominant content management system (CMS), powering 43.5% of all websites globally in 2024, and holding a 62.7% market share among websites using a CMS. The reason for its popularity lies in its flexibility and massive ecosystem of over 50,000 plugins and thousands of themes, allowing users to customizse their websites extensively without needing advanced coding skills.
Positives:
- Highly customizable: With plugins and themes, you can build anything from a simple blog to a complex e-commerce site.
- SEO-friendly: WordPress integrates seamlessly with SEO tools like Yoast, making it easier to optimize your content for search engines.
- Huge community support: With a large global user base, there’s plenty of support, tutorials, and resources for troubleshooting or expanding your website’s functionality.
Negatives:
- Maintenance: WordPress sites often require frequent updates and security patches, and failure to maintain can make your site vulnerable to hacks.
- Can be complex: While user-friendly for content creation, customizations and advanced features may require hiring developers, especially as your site grows in complexity
Shopify
Shopify is a dedicated e-commerce platform designed to help businesses sell products online easily. It holds 4.5% of the overall CMS market and is a strong contender in the e-commerce space, especially for businesses focused on online retail.
Positives:
- E-commerce optimization: Shopify is built specifically for online stores, making it easy to manage products, process payments, and handle shipping.
- Ease of use: It’s extremely user-friendly, with no coding needed, making it an ideal choice for beginners or businesses that need to launch an online store quickly.
- Reliable support: Shopify offers 24/7 support, helping businesses resolve issues quickly.
Negatives:
- Limited customization: While it’s easy to use, Shopify has less flexibility than WordPress or custom-built platforms. Advanced customizations often require Shopify’s Liquid language, or hiring a developer.
- Ongoing costs: Shopify has monthly fees starting at $29, and additional transaction fees if you don’t use Shopify Payments, which can add up
.
Drag-and-Drop Editors (Wix, Squarespace)
Platforms like Wix and Squarespace have grown in popularity, especially among small businesses and individuals looking for a fast and affordable way to get online. Wix holds 2.8%, and Squarespace holds 2.1% of the CMS market in 2024.
Positives:
- Ease of use: These platforms offer intuitive drag-and-drop editors, allowing users to create visually appealing websites with little to no technical expertise.
- All-in-one solution: Both Wix and Squarespace handle hosting, domain management, and security, reducing the technical overhead for users.
Negatives:
- Limited scalability: While these platforms are great for basic sites, they struggle with customization and growth. Adding advanced features often requires costly third-party tools or hiring niche experts for customizations.
- Monthly costs add up: While the initial setup is affordable, monthly fees (starting around $16 for Squarespace and $14 for Wix) can add up, especially when adding premium apps or features
Freelancer vs Agencies Website Design Costs
When deciding to create a website, one of the first choices you’ll face is whether to hire a freelancer or go with a web design agency. Both options have their benefits, but they also come with certain challenges. Understanding the differences can help you make the right choice based on your project needs and budget.
The Expertise Gap
One key issue when working with freelancers is the expertise gap. A freelancer is typically skilled in one or two areas, such as design or coding, but they may lack the broad range of skills needed for a complete project, especially when it comes to specialised tasks like SEO, user experience (UX) design, or security.
On the other hand, agencies usually have a team of specialists—designers, developers, UX experts, and SEO professionals—who complement each other to deliver a well-rounded project. This multi-disciplinary approach reduces the likelihood of gaps in expertise.
Additionally, freelancers often work alone, which means that if they fall ill or face other personal issues, project deadlines may be missed. However, a freelancer can offer a more personalised approach, building a one-on-one relationship with you and tailoring the project closely to your needs. That said, since there’s a low barrier for entry into freelancing, it’s crucial to thoroughly vet their portfolio and reviews to ensure they have the experience and quality you need.
The Fulfilment Gap
Large agencies, while often having more resources, can face fulfillment issues. These companies usually handle multiple clients and offer a wide range of services, which can lead to slower project turnaround times and higher fees due to the overhead of managing so many services and clients. The cost of their services is often marked up to cover these overheads, which may not be ideal for businesses looking for more focused attention on web development.
To bridge this gap, it’s often better to choose a specialised web development agency, like Stone Digital, which focuses on web design and development rather than a broad range of services. A specialist agency is more likely to provide dedicated attention to your project without the distractions of handling too many other services.
Before committing, it’s always a good idea to check the agency’s reviews and website portfolio to ensure they consistently deliver quality work. For instance, Stone Digital has earned 27 five-star reviews for their client-focused approach and high-quality website builds.
Offshore Website Design Costs
When considering offshore web design agencies, the lower price points can seem very appealing. However, there are several factors to take into account before making a decision. The most common challenges when outsourcing offshore include skill gaps, communication barriers, and time zone differences, all of which can impact the quality and timing of your project.
Here’s a breakdown of offshore web development costs and what to expect in different regions:
Developing Countries (e.g., India, Philippines)
- Cost: Lowest
- Hourly Rate: $10 – $30
- Reason: Lower living costs allow for significantly reduced rates. However, it’s important to carefully vet portfolios and check for quality, as standards can vary greatly between agencies.
Eastern Europe (e.g., Ukraine, Poland)
- Cost: Moderate
- Hourly Rate: $25 – $50
- Reason: These countries are rapidly becoming tech hubs, offering competitive pricing with skilled professionals. Ukraine and Poland, for example, have gained strong reputations for quality web development and IT services.
Western Europe (e.g., UK, Germany)
- Cost: Higher
- Hourly Rate: $50 – $100
- Reason: Established tech industries and higher living standards lead to higher costs, but the quality and innovation in web design are often top-tier.
North America (e.g., USA, Canada)
- Cost: Highest
- Hourly Rate: $75 – $150+
- Reason: High living costs and advanced technology sectors contribute to higher prices. However, developers from this region often offer innovative solutions and cutting-edge technologies.
Australia
- Cost: Among the highest
- Hourly Rate: $70 – $130
- Reason: Similar to North America, Australia has a highly developed tech industry, and the cost of living pushes hourly rates up, but you can expect strong quality and expertise.
Balancing Cost and Quality
Where your development team is located can significantly influence your project’s budget. While it’s tempting to go with cheaper offshore options, there’s a trade-off to consider between lower prices and potential risks, such as communication challenges and varying skill levels. It’s essential to weigh the cost savings against the potential need for rework or delays that can arise from miscommunication or lack of expertise. Therefore, thoroughly vetting portfolios and client reviews should be a top priority to ensure that quality isn’t sacrificed for a lower price.
Monthly Costs For Websites
When planning your website, it’s crucial to factor in the monthly costs associated with different platforms. While DIY options like Wix and Squarespace offer convenience, they also come with ongoing monthly fees, unlike platforms like WordPress, where you mainly pay for hosting.
DIY Platforms (Wix, Squarespace)
Platforms like Wix and Squarespace are popular for their simplicity and all-in-one packages, but these conveniences come with recurring costs. For instance:
- Wix has plans that range from about $16 to $45 per month, depending on the level of features you need.
- Squarespace starts at $16 per month for a basic personal plan, but prices can rise to $65 per month for advanced e-commerce functionalities
These costs cover hosting, templates, and security, making it easier for users with little technical experience to manage their site. However, this “all-in-one” convenience can sometimes limit customization and flexibility.
WordPress
Unlike Wix or Squarespace, WordPress itself is free to use, but the monthly cost comes in the form of hosting and potential additional services:
- Hosting fees: Depending on your needs, hosting can range from $5 to $50+ per month. Basic shared hosting is affordable, but more robust sites may require higher-tier hosting like managed WordPress hosting, which offers better performance and security
WordPress offers more customisation, but this comes with added responsibility. You’ll need to manage updates, plugin compatibility, and security patches, which can be tricky without technical expertise. This is where it might make sense to hire an agency for website maintenance. Agencies or developers can ensure your site stays functional, secure, and up-to-date.
Website Maintenance Costs
Even with platforms like WordPress, regular maintenance is essential to keep the site running smoothly. Depending on the complexity of your website, you might need a developer or agency on retainer to manage things like:
- Plugin updates
- Security checks
- Performance optimizations
Costs Of Website Design For Small Businesses
For small businesses, the cost of website design typically falls in a more affordable range because their needs are generally less complex. Unlike larger corporations, small businesses often require fewer pages and minimal customizations, which helps keep costs down. Typically, you can expect the price to range from $5,000 to $15,000.
Several factors can influence this pricing, including:
Website Hosting
Hosting is a recurring cost, and the type you choose can impact your budget. Small businesses usually opt for shared hosting, which is more affordable, but if you need faster speeds or higher security, managed hosting could be a better option. For more information, check out this guide on the best web hosting for Australian small businesses.
Ongoing Website Needs
As your website grows, ongoing costs like website maintenance and content updates might be necessary to keep it running smoothly. This can include tasks like plugin updates, security patches, or adding new features.
Digital Marketing
If you want to drive traffic to your website, investing in SEO or other digital marketing services is crucial. SEO can significantly impact how easily potential customers find your site through search engines, but it’s an ongoing investment that can range from $1,500 to $10,000 per month depending on your goals and competition.
How To Choose The Right Website Development Agency
Choosing the right website development agency is crucial to the success of your online presence. Whether you’re a small business or an established company, selecting the right partner can save you time, money, and ensure you get the website that fits your business needs. Here are some key steps to help you vet and choose the right agency:
Set a Budget
Before anything else, make sure the agency’s pricing aligns with your budget. Web development costs can vary greatly depending on the scope of work, the size of the team, and the level of customization required. Define your budget early on and be transparent with agencies about what you can spend.
Check Their Portfolio
The next step is to review the agency’s portfolio to see their previous work. A good portfolio showcases the types of projects they’ve handled, the quality of their designs, and whether they’ve worked with businesses similar to yours. Pay attention to how diverse their portfolio is and whether they have experience in your industry.
Read Client Reviews and Testimonials
Always check reviews to gauge the experiences of past clients. Reviews give insight into the agency’s communication, ability to meet deadlines, and overall client satisfaction. Be cautious if an agency has no reviews or only glowing testimonials, as this could be a red flag. Aim to find balanced feedback that provides a realistic picture of their service quality.
Assess Their Technical Expertise and Services
Depending on your project’s needs, the agency should have the technical expertise to build the type of website you want. Whether it’s WordPress development, Shopify development, custom coding, or e-commerce solutions, make sure they have the right skill set and experience with the platforms you need.
Ask About Ongoing Support and Maintenance
Web development doesn’t stop once your site is live. Make sure the agency offers ongoing support for things like updates, security, and any troubleshooting. This is particularly important for businesses that don’t have in-house technical teams.
