How Much Does a Business Website Cost in Australia? (2026 Guide)

Whether you’re starting a new business, replacing an outdated website or expanding your online presence, one of the first questions you’re likely to ask is: how much does a website cost?

In Australia, the answer can range from a relatively inexpensive DIY website to tens of thousands of dollars for a professionally designed business website or custom digital platform.

That’s a significant difference.

But websites aren’t all built for the same purpose. A simple five-page information website has very different requirements from an online store, booking platform or custom application.

In this guide, we’ll break down what Australian businesses can expect to pay in 2026, what influences website pricing and the ongoing costs worth considering before committing to a project.

How much does a website cost in Australia?

Published Australian website pricing varies considerably, but the following ranges provide a useful starting point.

These are indicative Australian dollar ranges assembled from publicly advertised prices and provider guides reviewed in October 2026. They are not fixed industry prices, a statistically representative market average or Mardoc Marketing’s own rates.

Categories overlap, and actual quotes can be significantly higher or lower. GST, hosting, content creation, ongoing support and other costs may be included or excluded depending on the provider.

The most important thing is understanding what you’re paying for.

Why do website quotes vary so much?

Two businesses might each request a five-page website and receive dramatically different quotes.

One provider might use an existing template, work with content supplied by the customer and provide a relatively basic website.

Another might include research, content planning, professional copywriting, custom design, SEO foundations, responsive development, analytics configuration and extensive testing.

Although both websites contain five pages, the work involved is very different.

Several factors influence the final cost.

Number and complexity of pages

Page count matters, but it isn’t the only consideration.

A five-page website with straightforward information may be relatively simple to produce.

A website with 20 service pages, location-specific information, detailed product content or complex navigation may require substantially more planning and development.

Even individual pages can vary in complexity.

Template-based vs custom design

Templates and established design systems can reduce design and development time.

A well-designed template can be entirely appropriate for a smaller business.

Custom design generally involves more planning, creative work and refinement, especially when the business has distinctive content, functionality or branding requirements.

Neither approach automatically guarantees better performance.

The goal should be a website that suits the business and its audience.

Copywriting and content

One of the biggest differences between website proposals is whether written content is included.

Some providers expect customers to supply all website copy.

Others include content planning, research, service descriptions, page writing and editing.

Professional photography, graphics, illustrations and video may also be separate costs.

Before accepting a quote, confirm who is responsible for producing every piece of website content.

Search engine optimisation

A website’s SEO foundations are important if customers need to discover the business through search engines.

This may involve:

• Reviewing relevant search terms
• Planning the website’s page structure
• Writing descriptive page titles and metadata
• Creating helpful, relevant website content
• Setting up internal linking
• Checking technical crawlability
• Preparing redirects during a redesign
• Configuring analytics and Search Console

Some website packages include foundational SEO work. Others charge separately.

A website being labelled "SEO-friendly" doesn’t mean it comes with an ongoing SEO strategy or guaranteed search rankings.

Functionality and integrations

Additional functionality can significantly affect development costs.

Examples include:

• Online bookings
• Ecommerce functionality
• Customer logins
• Client portals
• Product visualisers
• Interactive calculators
• Custom dashboards
• CRM integrations
• Automated workflows
• Membership or registration systems

The requirements become more complex when multiple systems must communicate with one another or manage sensitive information.

For more advanced projects, custom web development may be more appropriate than a conventional business website.

DIY website vs freelancer vs agency

There are several ways to get a website built.

Each has advantages and trade-offs.

DIY website builders

Platforms such as Wix allow business owners to build websites using established templates and editing tools.

This can be a practical starting point when the website requirements are straightforward and the business owner has time to create and maintain the site.

However, subscription fees aren’t the only cost.

You also need to account for your time, content, imagery, website configuration and ongoing updates.

Hiring a freelancer

A freelancer may provide a more tailored result without the overheads of a larger agency.

This can be a good fit for clearly defined projects.

However, experience and services vary. It’s important to establish whether the freelancer also offers strategy, copywriting, SEO, hosting coordination and ongoing support.

Working with an agency

An agency may bring together design, development, content, SEO and project management.

That can be valuable when the website plays an important role in generating enquiries, supporting advertising or communicating a complex range of services.

An agency isn’t automatically the right option for every business.

The value depends on its experience, the project scope, what is included and how well the finished website supports the business.

How much does an e-commerce website cost?

E-commerce websites generally involve more than displaying information.

They may need product catalogues, payment processing, shipping options, tax settings, customer accounts, inventory management and checkout functionality.

The cost will depend on:

• Number of products and variations
• Payment and shipping requirements
• Design complexity
• Product photography and descriptions
• Integrations with business systems
• Customer account functionality
• Ongoing support requirements

A small online store built on an established e-commerce platform can be substantially less expensive than a large, custom-built retail platform.

Businesses should also consider ongoing platform subscription fees, payment processing charges, applications and other operating expenses.

For example, Shopify publishes Australian subscription pricing for its online store plans. These platform fees are separate from any agency fees charged to design, configure or customise the store.

What about custom web applications?

Not every business needs a traditional marketing website.

Some need digital systems that perform specific operational tasks.

Examples include client portals, customer management systems, dashboards, booking platforms and custom applications.

These projects may involve requirements analysis, interface design, databases, authentication, integrations, automation, testing and ongoing development.

Because the functionality can vary significantly, custom applications are usually scoped individually rather than priced solely by page count.

For example, Mardoc developed Wyncity Live as a specialised digital platform connecting bowling livestreams, replays, league information, player statistics and broadcast workflows.

A project like this requires different planning and development from a standard business website.

The right approach is to define the business problem and technical requirements before establishing a budget.

Website platforms: WordPress, Wix or a custom solution?

The platform can influence development requirements, ownership arrangements and ongoing costs.

WordPress

WordPress can provide flexibility for content-managed business websites.

It supports a wide range of themes, plugins and custom development options.

However, depending on the hosting and implementation, businesses may need to manage software updates, compatibility, backups and technical maintenance.

Wix and Wix Studio

Wix provides hosted website-building tools that can be suitable for a wide range of business websites.

Wix Studio offers additional professional design and development capabilities.

Because Wix manages much of the underlying hosting infrastructure, maintenance responsibilities differ from those of a typical self-hosted WordPress website.

Custom-built websites and applications

Custom development can be appropriate when a business needs functionality that conventional platforms don’t readily provide.

This can offer greater control over specialised workflows but may also require more technical planning, support and ongoing development.

The best platform isn’t necessarily the newest or most expensive.

It is the one that appropriately supports the business’s needs, available resources and long-term plans.

What are the ongoing costs of owning a website?

The initial build is only part of the investment.

Businesses should also budget for the costs of operating and maintaining their website.

Domain name

Your domain is the web address customers use to find your business.

It generally requires renewal, usually annually.

Pricing depends on the domain extension and registrar.

Website hosting or platform subscriptions

Some websites require separate hosting, while hosted platforms include hosting within a subscription.

Hosting costs depend on the provider, website requirements and level of service.

Website maintenance

Maintenance may include software updates, backups, security checks, troubleshooting, content changes and technical support.

The work required varies by platform.

For example, a WordPress website may need plugin and theme maintenance, while a Wix website may need more assistance with content, design and feature changes.

Australian maintenance pricing guides commonly describe small-business care plans in the low hundreds of dollars per month, although the scope varies considerably.

Ongoing SEO and content

A website launch doesn’t automatically mean the business will begin ranking for competitive search terms.

Businesses may choose to invest separately in SEO, content, advertising and conversion improvements.

These costs should be evaluated against the business’s goals.

Other subscriptions

Depending on the website, additional costs may include:

• Premium plugins or applications
• Email and form services
• Booking software
• E-commerce transaction fees
• Third-party integrations
• Licensed imagery or software

Before commissioning a website, request a clear breakdown of both one-off and recurring costs.

What’s the difference between a website build and a redesign?

A redesign isn’t always cheaper than a new website.

Although a business may already have content, imagery and a domain, it may also have technical problems, outdated page structures or existing search rankings that need to be preserved.

A proper redesign may involve reviewing the current website, identifying what works and planning what needs to change.

If URLs change, permanent redirects and internal-link updates are important to help visitors and search engines reach the new pages.

Existing high-performing content shouldn’t be removed without considering its value.

Google provides specific guidance for website migrations and URL changes, including preparing redirect mappings and monitoring the transition.

A good redesign should improve the website without unnecessarily discarding useful content or existing search visibility.

What should be included in a professional website quote?

Before accepting a proposal, ask the provider to clearly explain:

1. Discovery and planning: Will they review the business’s goals, audience and website requirements?
2. Design: Is the website based on a template, established design system or custom design?
3. Pages and content: How many pages are included, and who writes the copy?
4. SEO foundations: Which technical and on-page SEO tasks are included?
5. Mobile experience: Will the website be designed and tested across common screen sizes?
6. Features and integrations: Which forms, booking systems or other features are included?
7. Ownership and access: Who controls the domain, website accounts, content and relevant assets?
8. Ongoing costs: What will hosting, subscriptions, maintenance and future changes cost?

It’s also worth asking what happens after launch.

Will you receive a handover? Can you update the website yourself? Is ongoing support available?

These details matter just as much as the headline project price.

Should you choose the cheapest website quote?

Not automatically — but you don’t necessarily need the most expensive option either.

A straightforward website built using a well-designed template may be entirely suitable for a small business.

Likewise, a business that relies heavily on online enquiries may benefit from investing more in its website’s content, design, functionality and technical foundations.

Rather than comparing prices alone, consider what the website needs to achieve.

A useful question is:

What does this website need to do for the business, and does the proposed scope support that outcome?

The right investment depends on the website’s role, the available budget and the business’s longer-term plans.

Frequently asked questions

Research and sources

This guide draws on publicly available Australian pricing examples and official technical guidance reviewed in October 2026.

1. ExIQ Web — How Much Does a Website Cost in Australia in 2026?
2. Dynamo Wheel — Website Design Cost in Australia, 2026
3. LoudaChris — How Much Does a Website Cost in 2026?
4. Onrai Studio — Website Maintenance Cost in Australia
5. Shopify Australia — Official Platform Pricing
6. Google Search Central — Site Moves and Migrations