How Much Does It Cost to Build a Website in the USA? A Realistic Breakdown

By WP Scriptly

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Cost to Build a Website
Cost to Build a Website

How Much Does It Really Cost to Build a Website in the USA?

If you’re thinking about launching a website, one of the first questions that probably comes to mind is, “How much is this going to cost me?” And honestly, the answer is: it depends.

Website costs in the U.S. can range from just a couple hundred bucks a year to tens of thousands of dollars, all based on what you need the site to do. So let’s break it down in plain English.

Basic Website (Think: Personal Blog or Simple Business Site)

If you just need something simple — maybe a portfolio, a landing page, or a basic “About Us + Contact” setup — you’ve got a couple of budget-friendly options.

  • DIY tools like Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress: These usually run you about $100 to $500 a year, including hosting and a domain name.
  • Hiring a freelancer or small studio: Expect to pay between $1,000 and $5,000, depending on design, content, and features.

Small Business or Professional Website

Looking for something more polished? If you’re offering services or managing leads, you’ll want custom design, mobile optimization, and basic SEO.

  • Freelancers: Around $2,500 to $10,000
  • Agencies: Between $5,000 and $20,000+

This range usually includes responsive design, branded visuals, contact forms, and light marketing integration.

E-Commerce Website (Selling Products Online)

Planning to run an online store? The costs go up due to added functionality like shopping carts, inventory management, and payment gateways.

  • Freelancers: Typically $5,000 to $15,000
  • Agencies: Often $10,000 to $50,000+
  • Platform fees: Shopify starts at $29/month plus transaction fees.

You’ll also need product descriptions, photos, shipping setup, and maybe customer accounts.

Custom Web App or SaaS Platform

If you’re creating something truly custom — like a membership portal, web app, or SaaS product — you’re entering enterprise territory.

  • Starting point: Around $25,000 to $100,000
  • Larger builds: Can exceed $500,000

This kind of site typically requires a team of specialists and a longer development timeline.

Things That Affect the Final Price

Here are a few extras that can increase (or decrease) the total cost:

  • Branding and logo design
  • Copywriting and blog content
  • Search engine optimization (SEO)
  • Email list integration
  • Maintenance and update plans

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, building a website is a lot like buying a car — there’s a model for every budget. Whether you’re just getting started or building something from scratch, knowing your goals and limitations helps you plan smarter.

If you’re unsure where your project fits in this scale, let’s talk it through — there’s a solution out there that fits your needs and budget.

Author: WP Scriptly

Hey, I’m Scot, the guy behind WpScriptly. I create simple, no-fluff WordPress plugins and tools to make your site easier to manage and more powerful. Everything I build is tested on my own projects first — if it’s here, it’s because it works. Thanks for checking out the site. Hope you find something useful at Wp Scriptly.

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