Executive Briefing
What should you pay for a business website? From DIY to custom development, understand costs and get best value for your budget.
Website Costs in Australia: The 2025 Reality
Australian website development costs vary significantly based on complexity, features, and whether you choose a Sydney-based agency or overseas developers. On average, professional business websites in Australia cost between $5,000 and $25,000, with Sydney agencies typically charging 40-50% more than regional providers due to higher operating costs and access to senior talent.
Website Pricing Breakdown by Type
Basic Brochure Website ($2,000 - $8,000)
A simple 5-10 page website showcasing your business, services, and contact information. Includes responsive design, basic SEO setup, contact forms, and content management system. Ideal for tradies, consultants, and local service businesses who need an online presence without complex functionality.
Professional Business Website ($8,000 - $20,000)
A comprehensive website with 15-30 pages, advanced features like booking systems, blog functionality, lead capture forms, and integration with business tools. Includes professional copywriting, custom design, and thorough SEO optimisation. Suitable for professional services, medical practices, and growing SMBs.
E-commerce Website ($15,000 - $50,000+)
A full online store with product catalogue, shopping cart, payment processing, inventory management, and shipping integration. Costs depend heavily on the number of products, payment gateways required, and integration with accounting or ERP systems. Essential for retail businesses expanding online.
Custom Web Applications ($30,000 - $150,000+)
Bespoke web applications with unique functionality, user portals, complex databases, API integrations, and custom workflows. These projects require extensive discovery, development, and testing phases. Common for businesses with unique operational requirements or SaaS startups.
What Factors Affect Website Development Costs?
Key Cost Factors
- Number of pages: Each additional page adds $200-$500 depending on complexity and content requirements
- Custom design vs templates: Custom designs cost 2-3x more but provide unique branding and better user experience
- Content creation: Professional copywriting adds $100-$300 per page; photography can add $1,000-$5,000
- Functionality requirements: Booking systems, calculators, portals, and integrations each add $2,000-$10,000
- SEO optimisation: Basic SEO is often included; comprehensive SEO strategy adds $2,000-$5,000
- Mobile responsiveness: Now standard, but complex mobile features add development time
- Hosting and security: Quality hosting runs $300-$1,500/year; SSL certificates are typically included
- Ongoing maintenance: Budget $100-$500/month for updates, security patches, and content changes
Sydney vs Regional Australian Web Development Costs
Sydney web development agencies typically charge premium rates due to higher overheads and access to experienced developers. A website that costs $10,000 in regional Australia might cost $14,000-$16,000 in Sydney. However, Sydney agencies often provide better project management, communication, and ongoing support—important factors for business-critical websites.
Important Note
Pro tip: Don't choose based on price alone. A $3,000 website that doesn't convert visitors costs more in lost business than a $12,000 site that generates leads consistently. Focus on ROI, not just upfront costs.
Hidden Costs to Watch For
- Domain registration: $15-$50/year for .com.au domains (higher for premium domains)
- Stock photography: $10-$500 per image if custom photography isn't included
- Plugin or extension licenses: $50-$500/year for premium functionality
- Email setup: Professional email hosting costs $5-$15/user/month
- Revision rounds: Many agencies limit revisions; additional changes are billed hourly ($100-$200/hour)
- Training: CMS training may be extra—ensure it's included in your quote
- Migration costs: Moving from an old website can add $500-$2,000
How to Get the Best Value for Your Website Investment
- 1Define your requirements clearly: Document what pages, features, and integrations you need before getting quotes
- 2Get multiple quotes: Obtain 3-5 quotes from different agencies to understand the market rate
- 3Check portfolios and references: Review similar projects and speak to previous clients
- 4Understand the contract: Clarify what's included, revision limits, and ongoing costs
- 5Plan for ongoing costs: Budget for hosting, maintenance, and updates from day one
- 6Consider total cost of ownership: A cheap build with expensive ongoing costs isn't good value
- 7Prioritise mobile experience: Over 60% of Australian web traffic is mobile—don't compromise here
DIY vs Professional Website Development
Website builders like Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress.com offer DIY options from $200-$500/year. While tempting for tight budgets, DIY websites often lack the professional polish, SEO optimisation, and custom functionality that drive business results. For businesses serious about online presence, professional development typically delivers better ROI within 12-18 months.
"The best investment is a website that works as your 24/7 salesperson—generating leads, building trust, and converting visitors into customers while you focus on running your business."
What Should Your 2025 Website Budget Be?
For Sydney small businesses, we recommend budgeting $10,000-$20,000 for a professional business website that will serve you well for 3-5 years. This investment should include custom design, professional copywriting, SEO fundamentals, mobile optimisation, and 12 months of hosting and basic maintenance. E-commerce businesses should budget $20,000-$40,000 for a solid foundation.
How We Researched This Article
This article was compiled using information from authoritative industry sources to ensure accuracy and relevance for Australian businesses.
Sources & References
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Rocking Web - Website Costs Australia 2024
Comprehensive breakdown of Australian website development pricing across different project types
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Australian Bureau of Statistics - Business Use of IT
Official statistics on Australian business technology adoption and investment
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Clutch - Web Development Pricing Guide
Global web development pricing benchmarks and industry standards
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P2P IT Internal Client Data
Aggregated pricing data from Sydney small business website projects
* Information is current as of the publication date. Cybersecurity guidelines and best practices evolve regularly. We recommend verifying current recommendations with the original sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
A simple brochure website with 5-10 pages typically costs $2,000-$8,000 in Australia. Sydney-based agencies charge toward the higher end due to overhead costs. This includes responsive design, basic SEO, and a content management system.
Sydney agencies have higher operating costs (office space, salaries) and typically employ more experienced developers. You're also paying for better communication, project management, and ongoing support availability.
Website builders (Wix, Squarespace) suit very small budgets and simple needs. For businesses wanting to compete online, professional development delivers better SEO, customisation, and ROI. Consider your 3-year goals, not just upfront costs.
Budget $100-$500/month for hosting, security updates, content changes, and technical maintenance. Domain renewal is $15-$50/year. Premium plugins or tools may add $200-$1,000/year.
A professional business website typically takes 6-12 weeks from kickoff to launch. This includes discovery, design, development, content creation, testing, and revisions. Rush timelines are possible but often cost 20-50% more.