How much does a website cost in Australia? It depends on who builds it and how much you need, but the ranges aren't a secret. This guide walks through the three usual options, what pushes the price up, the costs that keep coming after launch, and what I charge, so you can compare quotes with a clear head.
One thing first. Most published price guides are written by businesses that sell websites, and that includes this one. Treat every range below as indicative, check the source, and judge any quote by the scope written into it.
How much does a website cost in Australia? It depends who builds it
Building it yourself
Website builders like Squarespace and Wix let you pick a template and fill it in. You pay a subscription instead of a build fee. Squarespace's Australian pricing page (opens in a new tab) listed plans from about A$19 to A$164 a month when I checked in October 2026, depending on the plan and whether you pay monthly or annually. What's The Damage (opens in a new tab), an Australian cost-guide site that also sells listings to agencies, estimates DIY builders at $30 to $60 a month plus your own hours.
The real cost of DIY is your time: writing the words, sorting photos, working out the structure and checking it on a phone. If you enjoy that and have the hours, it can be a sensible start. I've written more about that choice in website builder vs web designer.
Hiring a freelancer
A freelancer is one person who designs and builds the site for you. What's The Damage puts freelance rates at roughly $80 to $150 an hour. WP Creative (opens in a new tab), a web agency, gives a project range of $1,000 to $10,000 for freelancers in its August 2026 guide. The spread is wide because freelancers range from students to very experienced designers.
Hiring an agency
An agency has a team, more process and usually a bigger minimum spend. What's The Damage puts agency rates at about $100 to $250 an hour. WP Creative quotes $5,000 to $50,000 or more for agency projects.
For a typical small business site, What's The Damage gives a range of about $2,000 to $6,000, and WP Creative says $3,000 to $10,000. What's The Damage puts online shops at $5,000 to $60,000 or more.
What actually drives the price
Two quotes for "a website" can describe very different jobs. These are the things that move the number most:
- Pages and sections. A single scrolling page costs less than five separate pages, and five cost less than twelve.
- Design. A lightly adjusted template is quicker than layouts made around your business.
- Words. Someone has to write them. If the quote assumes you supply finished text, writing from scratch will cost extra.
- Photos. Your own photos, stock images or a photographer all have different costs and permissions.
- Features. Enquiry forms are standard. Booking connections, online shops, member logins and custom databases are not.
- Rounds of changes. One round of feedback and unlimited rounds are very different promises.
- Search work. Basic page titles and descriptions are part of a good build. Ongoing search campaigns are a separate monthly service.
The ongoing costs after launch
The build is a one-off. These keep coming.
Domain name. This is your web address. What's The Damage estimates a .com.au at $15 to $30 a year. To register a com.au, auDA (opens in a new tab) says you must be an Australian commercial entity, most commonly with an active ABN or ACN, and the name needs a connection to your business. Register it in your own name, not your web designer's.
Hosting. This is the server space that keeps your site online. What's The Damage puts it at $15 to $150 a month, depending on the type of hosting.
Care or maintenance. Someone has to keep the site secure, backed up and up to date. What's The Damage estimates care plans at $50 to $300 a month. I explain what a care plan should cover in website care plans explained.
Other subscriptions. Email mailboxes, booking software and shop platforms usually have their own monthly fees.
Ask every quote the same question: what will I pay each month after launch, and what does that cover?
What I charge
I keep it to three packages, each with a written scope.
- Launch, $999. 1 scrolling page with up to six sections. Mobile layout, click-to-call and one enquiry form. Basic page title, description and business details for search engines. One round of feedback. Target delivery is 5 business days once we're ready to start.
- Local, $1,999. Up to 5 pages, usually a homepage, services, about and contact. One enquiry form and a link to your existing booking system. Page titles, descriptions and a page map for search engines. Two rounds of feedback. Target delivery is 10 business days.
- Signature, $3,499. Up to 8 pages with more tailored layouts. Up to two forms and one booking embed. Google Search Console connected, with agreed enquiry tracking and consent choices where needed. Two rounds of feedback. Target delivery is 15 business days.
Then there's monthly care: Essential at $79, Active at $149 and Grow at $249. Every plan covers hosting, a secure connection, backups, monthly checks and fixes to anything my work caused. Active and Grow add time each month for small changes. AUD. GST is not charged.
What isn't included: your domain and email mailboxes, paid booking or shop software, logo design, photography and writing beyond light tidying of your text. Some of those are available as optional extras on the pricing page. You supply your business details, approved words, logo and photos you're allowed to use. The delivery clock starts once those, your access details and the first payment are ready.
Spreading the cost
You can pay the build up front in two stages, about half to book and the balance before launch. Or you can spread it over 6 or 12 months, with your care plan included in the monthly amount:
- Launch with Essential care: $279 a month over 6 months, or $179 over 12.
- Local with Active care: $549 a month over 6 months, or $349 over 12.
- Signature with Grow care: $949 a month over 6 months, or $599 over 12.
When the term ends, the build payments stop and you pay only for care. Spreading costs more in total than paying the build price up front. A minimum term applies, and the full terms are in your proposal. AUD. GST is not charged.
How to compare website quotes
Put each quote side by side and check:
- How many pages, and what goes on each one?
- Who writes the words and supplies the photos?
- How many rounds of changes are included?
- What's the monthly cost after launch, and what does it cover?
- Who owns the domain, and can you take the site with you if you leave?
- How quickly do they reply when something needs fixing?
If the answers aren't in writing, ask for them. A good quote is easy to read.
If you already have a website, the free website check is a quick way to see what may need attention. If you'd like a written scope and price for your business, tell me about it through the website brief.
Common questions
What's a fair price for a small business website in Australia?
Published Australian cost guides put a typical small business site in the low thousands of dollars, but the range is wide. Compare quotes by what's included in writing, not by the headline figure.
How much do your websites cost?
Builds are $999 for Launch, $1,999 for Local and $3,499 for Signature, plus a monthly care plan from $79. AUD. GST is not charged.
Are there ongoing costs after a website is built?
Yes. You'll pay for your domain name each year, and for hosting and upkeep each month. With my packages, hosting is part of the care plan, while the domain and any email mailboxes are paid directly by you.
Can I pay for a website over time?
Yes. You can spread a build over 6 or 12 months, with your care plan included in the monthly amount. Spreading costs more than paying up front, a minimum term applies, and the build payments stop at the end of the term.
Why do website quotes vary so much?
Quotes cover different amounts of work: the number of pages, design, writing, photos, booking or shop features, and support after launch. Two quotes only compare fairly when the scope is written down.