Ever wondered how much a new website will set you back? It is a question I get asked almost every day. And the honest answer is, it depends. It is like asking, "how much does a car cost?" Are you after a reliable little runabout, or a custom-built Italian supercar? The difference is in the details, the performance, and of course, the price tag.
In this guide, I am going to break down everything you need to know about website costs in Australia. We will explore the different options available, from DIY website builders to hiring a freelance developer or a full-service digital agency. I will give you a realistic idea of what you can expect to pay for each, and what you get for your money. And most importantly, I will show you how you can get a high-performance, professionally designed website for your business without the massive upfront cost.
As the founder of 3P Digital, I have seen too many businesses get burned by overpriced, underperforming websites. That is why we developed our $100/month website package a revolutionary approach that gives you a stunning, fast, and effective website without the traditional price tag. It is a model built on performance, not just promises.
Understanding the Factors That Influence Website Cost
Before we dive into specific price ranges, it is important to understand the key factors that will influence the final cost of your website. These are the levers that can be pulled to either increase or decrease the price.
| Factor | Description | Impact on Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Design Complexity | Are you looking for a simple, clean design based on a template, or a completely custom, one-of-a-kind design? The more unique and complex the design, the higher the cost. | High |
| Number of Pages | A simple 5-page brochure website will cost significantly less than a 50-page e-commerce store with hundreds of products. | Medium |
| Functionality | Do you need special features like online booking, a customer portal, or integration with third-party software? Each additional feature adds to the complexity and cost. | High |
| Content Creation | Will you be providing all the text and images for the website, or do you need a copywriter and photographer? Professional content creation is an additional investment. | Medium |
| E-commerce | If you want to sell products online, you will need an e-commerce platform, which adds a layer of complexity and cost to the project. | High |
| SEO & Marketing | Do you want your website to be optimised for search engines from day one? A good agency will include foundational SEO in their build, but ongoing marketing is a separate cost. | Medium |
Website Cost Options in Australia
Now that you understand the key cost factors, let's look at the different ways you can get a website built in Australia, and the typical costs associated with each.
1. DIY Website Builders (e.g., Wix, Squarespace, Shopify)
DIY website builders have become incredibly popular in recent years, and for good reason. They offer a low-cost entry point for businesses that are just starting out and have a very limited budget.
- • A drag-and-drop interface to build your site without coding.
- • A selection of pre-made templates to choose from.
- • Basic functionality like contact forms and image galleries.
- • A unique design. Your site will look like thousands of others.
- • The flexibility to add custom features or integrations.
- • Professional performance and speed.
- • Real SEO value. These platforms struggle with optimization.
Cost:
- Upfront: $0
- Ongoing: $30 - $100+ per month
While DIY builders seem like a great deal, they often end up costing businesses more in the long run. The lack of performance and SEO capabilities means you will struggle to attract visitors and generate leads. It is a classic case of getting what you pay for.
2. Hiring a Freelance Web Developer
A freelance web developer can be a good option if you have a clear vision for your website and just need someone to build it for you. They are typically more affordable than an agency, but the quality can vary significantly.
- • A custom-built website tailored to your needs.
- • More flexibility than a DIY builder.
- • Potential for better performance and SEO (developer dependent).
- • Strategic input of a full-service agency.
- • Guaranteed ongoing support and maintenance.
- • The accountability of an established business.
Cost:
- Upfront: $3,000 - $10,000+
- Ongoing: Variable (hosting + maintenance costs)
3. Working with a Digital Agency
A full-service digital agency offers a comprehensive solution for businesses that are serious about their online presence. They will handle everything from strategy and design to development and ongoing marketing.
- • A dedicated team of experts (strategist, designer, developer).
- • A custom-designed website built for your goals.
- • Focus on performance, SEO, and user experience.
- • Ongoing support and marketing services.
- • A cheap price tag. This is the most expensive option.
Cost:
- Upfront: $10,000 - $50,000+
- Ongoing: $1,000 - $10,000+ per month (retainers)
This is where the traditional agency model starts to break down for many small and medium-sized businesses. The large upfront cost is a significant barrier to entry, and the ongoing retainers can be a drain on cash flow. It is a model that is ripe for disruption.
The 3P Digital Difference: A New Way to Get a Website
I have spent years in the digital marketing industry, and I have seen the same story play out time and time again. A business pays a fortune for a new website, only to see it fail to deliver any real results. The agency gets paid, and the business is left with an expensive online business card.
I knew there had to be a better way. That is why I created the $100/month website package. It is a model that flips the traditional agency pricing on its head. Instead of a massive upfront cost, you pay a small monthly fee. And instead of a set-and-forget retainer, you get a pay-for-performance model that is focused on one thing: results.
No Large Upfront Cost
We have eliminated the huge upfront investment, making a professional website accessible to any business.
Pay-for-Performance
Our success is tied to your success. We are motivated to deliver a website that generates leads.
High-Performance Tech
We use the latest web technologies to build websites that are incredibly fast, secure, and SEO-friendly.
Professionally Designed
Our team of experienced designers will create a stunning website that reflects your brand.
All-Inclusive
Your monthly fee includes hosting, maintenance, support, and our performance guarantee.
A Detailed Breakdown of Website Costs
To give you a clearer picture of how the costs stack up, here is a table comparing the different options for a standard 10-page business website:
| Feature | DIY Builder | Freelancer | Traditional Agency | 3P Digital |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront Cost | $0 | $5,000 | $15,000 | $0 |
| Design | Template | Custom | Custom | Custom |
| Performance | Poor | Variable | Good | Excellent |
| SEO | Poor | Basic | Good | Excellent |
| Support | Forums | Limited | Dedicated | Dedicated |
| Monthly Cost | $50 | $50 | $500+ | $100 |
| Total (Year 1) | $600 | $5,600 | $21,000 | $1,200 |
Hidden Costs You Need to Know About
When you are evaluating website costs, it is crucial to look beyond the initial price tag. There are often hidden costs that can dramatically increase the total cost of ownership over time.
Domain Name and Hosting
Your domain name (e.g., yourbusiness.com.au) costs $15-$50/year. Hosting ranges from $10/month to $200+/month. With our $100/month package, both are included.
SSL Certificates
Essential for security and Google rankings. Premium certificates can cost $100-$300/year. We include this at no extra cost.
CMS Licenses
Many WordPress themes and plugins require annual subscriptions ($50-$500/year each). These add up quickly.
Security and Backups
Regular backups and security monitoring can cost $200-$500/year for WordPress sites. Our secure architecture includes this automatically.
Maintenance and Updates
Keeping plugins and themes updated often requires a developer retainer of $100-$500/month. We handle all maintenance.
Content Updates
Agencies often charge $100-$200/hour for text changes. We include reasonable content updates in your monthly fee.
The True Cost of a Cheap Website
It is tempting to go with the cheapest option, especially when you are just starting out. But a cheap website can end up costing you far more in the long run through lost opportunities, damage to your brand, and the eventual cost of having to start over when the site fails to deliver results.
What Should You Expect to Pay for Different Types of Websites?
Brochure Website (5-10 Pages)
Simple, informational site for small businesses.
E-commerce Website
Online store with shopping cart and payments.
How to Choose the Right Web Design Partner
Choosing the right partner is critical. Consider their experience, the technology they use (avoid outdated platforms), their pricing transparency, and their commitment to ongoing support and measurable results.
The 3P Digital Revolution: A Better Way Forward
I started 3P Digital because I was tired of seeing businesses get ripped off. Our $100/month website package is a complete reimagining of how web design should work: performance-based pricing, cutting-edge technology, transparent costs, and a true partnership.