Website costs depend on what you're building and who builds it
A website can cost anywhere from $0 to thousands of dollars per year, depending on whether you build it yourself, hire someone, and what features you need. A simple blog or portfolio on a free platform costs nothing upfront. A small business site you build yourself on WordPress or Squarespace runs $100 to $300 yearly. A custom site built by a developer starts around $2,000 to $5,000 and can go much higher. The real question isn't "how much does a website cost" — it's "what am I actually paying for," because the answer changes based on your situation.
Key Takeaways
- Free platforms like Wix, WordPress.com, and Squarespace have no upfront cost but limit customization and show ads unless you pay for a plan.
- Self-hosted WordPress (WordPress.org) costs $50 to $200 yearly for hosting and domain, plus your time to build and maintain it.
- Hiring a web developer to build a custom site typically costs $2,000 to $10,000 depending on complexity, with additional yearly costs for hosting and updates.
- Monthly subscription platforms like Squarespace and Wix charge $12 to $40+ per month, which adds up to $144 to $480+ yearly before any extras.
- Hidden costs include domain registration ($10 to $15 yearly), SSL certificates (often free now), email hosting, and maintenance or updates you might need later.
Free platforms: what you get and what you give up
Wix, WordPress.com, Squarespace's free tier, and Google Sites all let you build a website at no cost. You get a domain name that includes their brand (like yourname.wixsite.com), basic templates, and enough features for a simple portfolio or hobby project. The catch is that the free version shows ads, limits storage, restricts what you can customize, and doesn't let you use your own domain name unless you pay.
If you want to remove ads, use your own domain (yourname.com instead of yourname.wixsite.com), or unlock more features, you'll pay $12 to $40 per month depending on the platform. At that point, you're spending $144 to $480 yearly — more than self-hosting would cost. Free platforms work best if you're testing an idea or building something you don't plan to promote heavily.
Self-hosted WordPress: lower cost, more control, more work
WordPress.org (the self-hosted version, different from WordPress.com) is free software, but you need to pay for hosting — the server that stores your site files. Hosting costs $3 to $15 per month depending on the provider and plan. Bluehost, SiteGround, and Kinsta are common choices. Add a domain name ($10 to $15 yearly), and you're at $50 to $200 per year total.
The trade-off is that you're responsible for updates, backups, and security. You'll also need to spend time learning WordPress or hire someone to help. Many people find this worth it because WordPress is flexible — you can add almost any feature through plugins, change the design without limits, and own your data completely. If you're comfortable with technology or willing to learn, self-hosted WordPress gives you the most control for the least money.
Subscription platforms: predictable costs, limited flexibility
Squarespace, Wix, Shopify, and similar platforms charge a monthly fee that includes hosting, domain, templates, and support. Squarespace runs $12 to $33 per month for a basic site, Wix starts at $14 per month, and Shopify begins at $39 per month if you're selling products. These are all-in-one services — you don't buy hosting separately or worry about updates.
The advantage is simplicity and predictability. You know exactly what you're paying each month, the platform handles technical maintenance, and customer support is included. The disadvantage is that you're locked into their system. If you want to move your site later, you can't easily take your design or data with you. These platforms work well for small businesses, portfolios, and online stores where you want to focus on content rather than technical details.
Hiring a developer: custom design, significant upfront cost
A web developer will build a custom site tailored to your needs. Costs vary widely based on complexity, location, and the developer's experience. A simple brochure site might cost $2,000 to $5,000. A site with custom features, integrations, or an online store could run $5,000 to $15,000 or more. Some developers charge hourly ($50 to $150+ per hour), while others quote a flat project fee.
After the initial build, you'll still pay for hosting ($10 to $50 monthly), domain registration, and any updates or changes you need. A developer can build on WordPress, a custom framework, or a headless CMS depending on your needs. This route makes sense if you have a complex vision, need custom functionality, or want a site that stands out from template-based competitors.
Hidden costs that add up over time
Beyond the base platform or hosting cost, several expenses often surprise people. Domain registration is $10 to $15 yearly, though some platforms include it. SSL certificates (the "https" that makes your site secure) are free on most platforms now, but used to cost $50 to $200 yearly. Email hosting — if you want an email address at your domain — costs $5 to $10 per month through services like Google Workspace or Zoho.
Premium themes or plugins can add $20 to $100 per year. If you need a site backup service, that's another $5 to $20 monthly. Professional photos or graphics might cost $50 to $500 depending on whether you hire a designer or buy stock images. Maintenance and updates, if you hire someone, run $50 to $200 per month. These small costs compound, so budget for the full picture, not just the platform fee.
Comparing total yearly cost across different routes
| Route | Upfront Cost | Yearly Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free platform (with ads) | $0 | $0 | Testing ideas, hobby projects |
| Free platform (paid plan) | $0 | $144–$480 | Simple portfolios, small blogs |
| Self-hosted WordPress | $0–$100 (setup help) | $50–$200 | Bloggers, small businesses wanting control |
| Subscription platform (Squarespace, Wix) | $0 | $144–$480 | Small businesses, online stores, portfolios |
| Custom developer build | $2,000–$15,000 | $200–$600 (hosting + maintenance) | Complex sites, custom features, brand presence |
How to choose based on your actual needs
Start by asking what your site needs to do. If it's a resume or portfolio to show your work, a free or low-cost platform is fine. If it's a small business site where people find you and contact you, a subscription platform like Squarespace or self-hosted WordPress both work well. If you're selling products, Shopify or WooCommerce (WordPress with an e-commerce plugin) are built for that. If you have a specific vision that templates can't deliver, a developer is worth the investment.
Consider also how much time you want to spend. Free and subscription platforms require almost no technical knowledge. Self-hosted WordPress requires some learning or willingness to hire help. A developer handles everything but costs more upfront. There's no wrong answer — only the right answer for your situation and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I start with a free platform and move to a paid one later?
Yes, but it depends on the platform. Moving from WordPress.com to self-hosted WordPress is straightforward. Moving from Wix to another platform is harder because Wix doesn't easily export your content and design. If you think you might outgrow a platform, self-hosted WordPress is the safest starting point because you own your data from day one.
Do I need to pay for a domain name?
Most platforms include a free domain for the first year or as part of a paid plan. After that, domain registration costs $10 to $15 yearly. Some platforms bundle it into their monthly fee. Check what's included before you sign up so you know the real total cost.
What's the cheapest way to build a website?
A free platform with ads costs nothing. Self-hosted WordPress costs $50 to $200 yearly if you build it yourself. A paid subscription platform costs $144 to $480 yearly. If you have zero budget, free is the answer. If you have $100 to $200 yearly, self-hosted WordPress gives you the most control.
Do I have to pay for updates and maintenance?
On subscription platforms and free services, updates are automatic and included. On self-hosted WordPress, updates are free but you do them yourself or hire someone ($50 to $200 monthly). On a custom developer site, maintenance is separate from the initial build and costs vary. Ask before you commit.
What if I want to sell products on my website?
Shopify is built for online stores and costs $39 to $299+ monthly depending on features. WordPress with WooCommerce costs $50 to $200 yearly for hosting plus $0 to $500 for premium plugins. Squarespace and Wix have e-commerce plans at $23 to $40+ monthly. The cheapest route is WordPress if you're comfortable with it; the easiest is Shopify.