Quotes for the same website can range from ₹10,000 to ₹10 lakh. Here is what drives the price, what most budgets forget, and how to compare quotes fairly before you spend.
A business website in India can cost anywhere from a few thousand rupees on a DIY builder to several lakhs for an ecommerce or custom build. The range is wide because you are not buying “a website”. You are buying design, development, content, features and support, and each of those can be small or large.
This guide gives realistic price bands, explains what moves the number, lists the costs people forget, and shows how to compare quotes line by line. To understand what makes a site actually bring enquiries, read our guide to a lead-generating website alongside this one.
At a glance: A simple business website often costs tens of thousands of rupees, a content-managed business site usually sits in the ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakh range, and ecommerce or custom builds run into lakhs. Budget for domain, hosting, content and yearly maintenance, not just the build.
How much does a business website cost in India?
The ranges below are indicative and reflect market data as of late 2026. Real quotes vary by city, team, scope and quality, so use them to sense-check proposals, not as fixed rates. Review current quotes before you commit, because prices shift from year to year.
Type of websiteTypical range (indicative)Best forDIY builder (Wix, WordPress.com and similar)₹5,000 to ₹30,000 per yearVery small businesses testing an online presenceBasic brochure site (about 5 pages)₹10,000 to ₹50,000Simple, freelancer-built informational sitesBusiness website with CMS (10 to 20 pages)₹50,000 to ₹2,00,000Service businesses that want leads and easy updatesEcommerce website₹1,50,000 to ₹4,00,000 and aboveBusinesses selling products onlineCustom web application or portal₹2,00,000 to ₹15,00,000 and aboveBooking systems, dashboards, marketplaces, large platforms
GST is usually extra on professional services, so confirm whether a quote is inclusive or exclusive.
What affects the cost of a website?
Type and number of pages
A five-page site and a fifty-page site with service, city and blog sections are very different projects. More pages mean more design, content and testing.
Design: template or custom
A template-based design is faster and cheaper. A custom design built around your brand, audience and conversion goals takes more strategy and design time, and costs more.
Features and functionality
Contact forms are inexpensive. Online payments, booking, user logins, calculators, multi-language support, CRM links and WhatsApp integration add development time. Each feature should earn its place.
Platform choice
WordPress, Shopify, WooCommerce and custom code have different build and running costs. Our comparison of custom software vs ready-made software explains the trade-offs.
Content and media
Who writes the text, and who provides photos and video? Professional copywriting, photography and graphics are real costs, and they often decide whether the site converts.
SEO and speed
A site that looks good but cannot be found, or loads slowly, wastes the investment. Technical SEO, clean structure and performance work take effort and are worth paying for.
Who builds it
Freelancers, small agencies and larger firms price differently because they offer different levels of process, accountability and support.
Timeline
Rush projects usually cost more because they need extra people or overtime.
The costs people forget
Many budgets cover only the build. Plan for these too:
- Domain name. A yearly renewal, with the price depending on the extension.
- Hosting. For a typical small business site, domain and hosting together often come to a few thousand rupees a year, and more for high-traffic or ecommerce sites.
- SSL certificate. Often included with hosting, but check.
- Premium themes and plugins. Some are one-time, many renew yearly.
- Content. Writing, photos, video and logo work if you do not already have them.
- Third-party tools. Email marketing, booking, payment gateway fees, live chat, analytics and CRM.
- Maintenance and security. Updates, backups, security monitoring and small fixes. Ask what your provider includes and what it charges after the support period.
- Marketing. A website does not bring visitors by itself. SEO, ads and local listings are separate budgets.
What does a first-year budget look like?
Think of year one as five buckets, not one number:
- Build. The one-time design and development fee from the table above.
- Content and media. Copy, photography, video and branding, if you need them.
- Domain and hosting. Recurring yearly costs.
- Tools and plugins. Subscriptions for forms, email, booking, payments or CRM.
- Maintenance and growth. Updates and security, plus SEO or ads to bring traffic.
Ask every provider to price each bucket separately. A low build quote with no maintenance or content plan often costs more by the end of the first year.
What should a good quote include?
A clear proposal lists:
- Number and type of pages
- Design approach and number of revision rounds
- Features and integrations, itemized
- Mobile responsiveness and speed targets
- Basic SEO setup: titles, structure, indexing and schema
- Content responsibility: who provides what
- Hosting and domain: who pays and who owns them
- Training, handover and support period
- Timeline and payment milestones
If something is vague, ask. Vague scope is how a ₹50,000 quote becomes ₹90,000.
Business website cost by situation
A local service business
Clinics, salons, coaching centres and contractors usually need a focused, mobile-friendly site with service pages, a clear call button, a map and reviews. This often fits the basic to mid CMS range. Pair it with our Google Business Profile guide.
A B2B or professional services company
Credibility matters, so you need detailed service pages, case studies, a blog and strong lead forms. Expect the mid to upper CMS range, plus content work.
An online store
Costs rise with product count, payment gateways, shipping rules, inventory and integrations. Budget for ongoing platform fees as well as the build.
A startup or product company
Custom features, user accounts or dashboards may be needed. Start with a small version, test it with real users, then expand. See our technology, software and AI services.
Cheap vs expensive: what you actually pay for
A very low price is not always a bad deal, but check what has been left out. Common trade-offs on cheap builds include copied templates, no SEO setup, slow hosting, no mobile testing, no handover and no support after launch. A high price does not guarantee quality either. Look at past work, ask who will actually do the work, and ask what happens after launch.
DIY builder, freelancer or agency?
- DIY builder. Lowest upfront cost and fast to start. Limited flexibility, and you do the work yourself.
- Freelancer. Good for simple, well-defined sites. Check availability and what happens if they become unavailable.
- Agency. Higher cost, but usually brings design, development, SEO, content and support together, with clearer accountability.
The right choice depends on your budget, the complexity of the site and how much time you can spend managing the project.
How to reduce website cost without cutting quality
- Start with what you need. Launch with core pages and add the rest later.
- Prepare content early. Late or unclear content is a top cause of delays and extra charges.
- Use proven platforms for standard needs instead of building from scratch.
- Limit design revisions by giving clear references and naming one decision-maker.
- Skip features you will not use in the first six months.
- Own your accounts. Keep domain, hosting and analytics in your name.
How to compare quotes fairly
Ask each provider for the same scope in writing and compare line by line. Check:
- Is the design custom or template-based?
- Are SEO, speed and mobile testing included?
- Who owns the code, domain and hosting?
- What does support cost after launch?
- Are there extra charges for revisions?
For a wider approach to choosing partners, see how to choose the right digital marketing agency.
Is a business website worth the cost?
Judge a website by what it does, not only by what it costs. Track enquiries, calls, form fills, WhatsApp clicks and sales that come from it. A site that brings a few good leads a month can pay for itself, while a cheap site that brings none is expensive. Set up analytics from day one and review results every quarter. Our analytics and performance marketing service can help.
Common mistakes when budgeting for a website
- Choosing only on price
- Forgetting content, maintenance and marketing costs
- Starting without a clear goal for the site
- Skipping SEO and paying to fix it later
- Not owning the domain and hosting accounts
- Adding every feature on day one
- Launching and never updating
How Aarivox can help
Aarivox Global Services designs and builds business websites together with SEO, content, analytics and lead handling, so your site works as a sales tool and not just an online brochure. Explore our technology, software and AI services and our search engine and organic growth service, or share your requirements for a scoped quote.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a basic business website cost in India?
A simple informational site of around five pages often costs tens of thousands of rupees, depending on design, content and who builds it. Prices vary by provider and scope.
How much does a website with 10 to 20 pages cost?
A content-managed business website of this size is commonly quoted in the ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakh range, depending on design, features and SEO work.
How much does an ecommerce website cost?
Small ecommerce builds are commonly quoted from around ₹1.5 lakh upward. Product volume, payment, shipping and integrations push the cost higher.
What are the yearly costs after the website is live?
Expect domain renewal, hosting, plugin or tool subscriptions, and maintenance and security. Ask your provider for a yearly estimate before you sign.
Is GST charged on website development?
Professional services usually attract GST, so check whether quotes include it and confirm the current treatment with your accountant.
Can I build my own website to save money?
Yes, with a builder, if your needs are simple and you can invest the time. If you need strong SEO, custom design or integrations, a professional build often saves money in the long run.
Why do two agencies quote very different prices?
Scope, design depth, experience, support and inclusions all differ. Compare written scopes, not headline prices.
How long does it take to build a business website?
A simple site can take a few weeks, while larger or custom projects take months. Content readiness is often the biggest factor.
Who should own the domain and hosting?
You should. Register them in your own name or company account, so you keep control if you change providers.
Ready to plan your website budget?
Share your goals, pages and features, and our team will help you scope a website that fits your budget and brings real enquiries.