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How much does a website cost in 2026? A plain-English pricing guide
By OmegaAPI · 13 November 2026 · 7 min read
Ask five developers what a website costs and you will get five very different numbers. That is not because someone is lying — it is because “a website” can mean a one-page brochure or a full online platform. This guide explains what you are actually paying for, so you can compare quotes properly.
The short answer
The price depends mostly on how many custom features the site needs, not on the number of pages. A five-page site with a contact form is a small project. A five-page site with user accounts, payments and a booking calendar is a web application.
Typical price ranges
These are broad ranges you will commonly see in the market for custom-built work. They are a starting point for budgeting, not a fixed price list.
| Type of project | Typical scope | Common range (India-based team) | Common range (US/UK agency) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business website | 5–10 pages, contact form, basic SEO | ₹15,000 – ₹75,000 | $2,000 – $10,000 |
| Online store | Catalogue, cart, payments, admin | ₹60,000 – ₹3,00,000 | $8,000 – $40,000 |
| Booking / portal web app | Logins, dashboards, notifications | ₹1,00,000 – ₹5,00,000 | $15,000 – $80,000 |
| SaaS MVP | Accounts, subscriptions, core feature | ₹2,00,000 – ₹10,00,000+ | $30,000 – $150,000+ |
What actually drives the price
- Custom features — logins, payments, search, booking calendars and integrations take the most time.
- Design — a custom design takes longer than adapting a clean, proven layout.
- Content — if the developer has to write text or source images, that is extra work.
- Integrations — connecting payment gateways, CRMs, couriers or WhatsApp adds effort and testing.
- Admin panel — how much you want to edit yourself without a developer.
- Speed and SEO — doing performance and technical SEO properly takes time, but it pays back.
Hidden costs to ask about
- Domain name and hosting (yearly).
- Paid themes, plugins or licences.
- Payment gateway fees per transaction.
- Maintenance, security updates and backups after launch.
- Changes after the agreed scope.
How to compare two quotes
Put the quotes side by side and check that they describe the same thing. A cheap quote often leaves out the admin panel, SEO setup, testing on mobile or post-launch support.
- Is there a written feature list?
- Who owns the code, domain and hosting at the end?
- How are payments split — upfront or per milestone?
- How many revision rounds are included?
- What happens if a bug appears a month after launch?
How we price projects
At OmegaAPI we start with a short call, then send a written quote with a feature list, timeline and milestones. You pay per milestone after seeing a working demo, and you own the code when the project is paid. If a ready-made tool is cheaper for your needs, we will say so.
Frequently asked
Is a cheap website a bad idea?
Not always. A simple site for a new business can be inexpensive. Problems start when a cheap quote leaves out things you actually need, like mobile testing, SEO setup or the ability to edit content.
How long does a website take?
A small business website usually takes 1–3 weeks. Online stores and web apps take longer and are best delivered in milestones.
Planning a project?
Tell us what you need and get a written quote with features, timeline and milestones — free.
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