How much does a website cost in Australia?
March 3, 2021
If you’re thinking about getting a website for your business, one of the first questions you’ll probably ask is: How much does a website cost? It’s a fair question — after all, you want to budget properly, and you don’t want any nasty surprises.
But you’ve probably noticed something frustrating — most web design companies don’t have set prices listed on their websites. Why is that? And how do you know if the budget you’ve set aside is reasonable?
The truth is, there’s no universal price list for websites because every website is different. From simple one-pagers to full-featured e-commerce stores, your project’s unique needs will affect the cost.
The good news is, there are clear factors that influence web design pricing — and understanding these can help you get a clearer idea of what to expect. Let’s break them down.
Website Costs in Australia vs. Overseas — Does Location Matter?
If you’ve looked into hiring a web designer, you might have noticed that prices vary wildly between countries. So, is it worth hiring an Australian web design company, or should you look overseas for cheaper options?
Here’s the thing — it’s not just about price. The cost of living, local competition, and business standards all impact how much designers charge in different countries. But no matter where a designer is located, the quality of work depends on their skills, experience, and processes — not their postcode.
That said, there are big advantages to working with an Australian web designer if you’re an Aussie business. You’ll be in the same time zone, making communication much easier. Plus, you’ll be supporting the local economy — something many business owners value.
Complexity Matters — What Type of Website Do You Need?
One of the biggest cost factors is how complex your website needs to be. A simple one-page website that just lists your services and contact details will naturally cost a lot less than a multi-page site with online booking, shopping carts, or custom features.
The more features, functionality, and pages you need, the more time and skill your web designer will need to bring it to life — and that means higher costs.
Experience and Expertise — Paying for Skill and Know-How
Not all web designers are created equal. Just like in any trade, experience matters.
An experienced web designer who’s been building sites for years will:
- Work faster (because they’ve done it all before)
- Avoid common mistakes (saving you headaches down the track)
- Come up with smarter solutions (that help your site work better and convert more visitors)
In contrast, a less experienced designer might be cheaper upfront but could take longer, miss important details, or create something that needs to be rebuilt later.
Discovery and Planning — The Foundation for Success
Great websites don’t just look good — they help your business grow. That’s why good web designers don’t just jump into building your site — they start with a discovery phase.
This is where they ask you important questions like:
- What are your business goals?
- Who’s your ideal customer?
- What do you want your website to achieve?
The answers help shape the design, structure, and functionality of your site. A thorough planning process adds value, but it also adds to the cost — because it takes time and expertise to do it well.
Quality of Photos, Videos & Other Assets
A website is more than just text. It’s images, videos, icons, fonts, and even music or animations. The quality of these assets can make or break your website’s professional feel.
If you already have high-quality photos and videos, that’s great — your designer can work with them. But if you don’t, your designer might need to source professional stock photos, custom graphics, or even recommend a photographer — all of which can increase costs.
The upside? High-quality assets can dramatically improve how professional your website looks, which can help you stand out and attract more customers.
Revisions — Tweaking Until It’s Right
Most websites go through a few rounds of revisions before they’re ready to launch. That’s normal — it’s part of making sure the final result matches your vision.
Most web design companies will include a reasonable number of revisions in their pricing. But if you need lots of changes, extra revisions can add to the final bill.
Technology & Features — What Does Your Website Need to Do?
The technology used to build your website also affects the price. If you only need a basic site to showcase your services, a simple content management system (CMS) might be enough.
But if you need:
- Online booking systems
- Membership portals
- Advanced e-commerce functions
- Custom integrations with other systems
…then your designer might need to use more advanced tools and technologies, which can increase costs.
The good news is, you don’t need to know all the technical details — a good designer will recommend the right tools for your needs and budget.
How Fast Do You Need It?
If you’re in a rush and need your website yesterday, expect to pay a premium. Tight deadlines often mean your designer has to work overtime, rearrange their schedule, or pause other projects to meet your needs.
Some web design companies offer express services, but not all projects can (or should) be rushed. A good designer will be upfront about what’s realistic and what’s not.
Don’t Forget Hosting — Your Website Needs a Home
While hosting isn’t technically part of designing your website, it’s an important cost to factor in. Some web designers include a year of free hosting with your website, while others leave you to arrange your own.
If your designer offers hosting, make sure you understand:
- What’s included (speed, security, backups, etc.)
- How much it will cost after the first year
Think of It Like Building a House
One of the easiest ways to understand website pricing is to think of it like building a house.
You wouldn’t call a builder and ask, “How much for a house?” without giving them details. They’d need to know:
- How many rooms?
- What materials do you want?
- Do you want a pool, a deck, or solar panels?
The same goes for websites. The more details you can give your designer, the more accurate your quote will be.
Be Honest About Your Budget — It Helps Everyone
A lot of business owners hesitate to share their budget, fearing designers will simply charge as much as they can get away with. But good designers don’t work that way.
If your budget is realistic, they’ll let you know what’s possible within that range — and sometimes, their quote might even be lower than you expected.
On the flip side, if your budget doesn’t match your wish list, they can recommend scaled-back options or suggest ways to phase your project to spread out the cost.
The more open and upfront you are, the better your designer can tailor a solution that fits.
