It’s one of the first questions every creative entrepreneur Googles — and the answer is almost always “it depends,” which, let’s be honest, is not helpful. So let’s actually break it down.
If you’ve been collecting quotes for a new website and wondering why the numbers are all over the place — from $500 to $15,000 — you’re not imagining things. Website design pricing varies wildly, and there are real reasons why. Understanding what drives the cost will help you make a smarter investment and find the right designer for where your business actually is right now.
The honest answer: website designers typically cost between $500 and $15,000+
Here’s a broad breakdown of what you’ll find at each price point:
$500 – $1,500 — DIY templates & beginner designers
- Pre-built templates with light customization
- Newer designers building their portfolio
- Limited strategy or brand consultation
- Faster turnaround, lower investment
- Good for: businesses just getting started with a very tight budget
$1,500 – $4,000 — Mid-range custom design
- Semi-custom or fully custom layouts
- Designers with a few years of experience
- Some strategy and brand alignment included
- Usually covers 5–8 pages
- Good for: established small businesses ready for a real online presence
$4,000 – $10,000 — Experienced custom designers
- Fully custom, strategic website design
- Deep brand consultation and copywriting guidance
- SEO foundation built in from the start
- Showit designers in this range typically include blog setup, mobile design, and launch support
- Good for: growing businesses treating their website as a marketing tool
$10,000+ — Agency or high-end studio work
- Full creative teams (strategist, designer, copywriter, developer)
- Complex functionality, e-commerce, custom integrations
- Longer timelines, extensive revisions
- Good for: larger businesses with complex needs
What affects the price most?
Several factors move the needle significantly on what a website designer will quote you:
Platform. A Showit designer, a WordPress developer, and a Squarespace designer are not doing the same work. Showit design is a specialized skill — the platform gives designers pixel-perfect creative freedom, which takes real expertise to use well. This is a good thing for you as a client: it means you’re getting a site that looks and functions exactly as designed, not a template with your logo swapped in.
Number of pages. A 5-page website costs less than a 12-page website. Sounds obvious, but it’s worth knowing before you reach out. Most small business websites need: Home, About, Services, Portfolio/Work, and Contact. Everything else is a bonus.
Copywriting. If your designer also writes your website copy — or works with a copywriter — expect the price to reflect that. Good copy is half the battle when it comes to converting visitors into clients, and it takes real time and skill to produce.
Strategy. The cheapest designers skip strategy. The best ones don’t. A website with no strategic foundation is just a pretty brochure. A strategically designed Showit website is a client-converting machine that works for you around the clock.
Revisions and support. How many rounds of revisions are included? Is there a launch-day support window? What happens if something breaks six months later? These details live in the contract and significantly affect the value of what you’re buying.
Hiring a website designer is less like buying a product and more like hiring a contractor to build something. The cheapest bid rarely produces the best result — and you’ll often end up paying more to fix it later.
What do Showit website designers charge specifically?
Showit has become the platform of choice for creative entrepreneurs — brand photographers, wedding professionals, coaches, designers, and online educators — and the designers who specialize in it reflect that market.
Most experienced Showit designers charge between $2,500 and $8,000 for a fully custom website. Here’s what that typically includes:
✦ Showit Tip: When comparing Showit designer quotes, make sure you’re comparing apples to apples. Some packages include the first month of your Showit subscription, domain connection, blog setup, and a content management tutorial. Others don’t. Ask specifically what’s included at launch and what ongoing support looks like after the site goes live.
Is it worth it to hire a Showit designer vs. doing it yourself?
This is the real question, isn’t it? Showit does have a drag-and-drop editor you can use yourself — and plenty of people do. But here’s the honest breakdown:
DIY Showit:
- Lower upfront cost
- Full creative control at all times
- Steep learning curve if you’re not design-savvy
- Time cost is significant — often 40–80+ hours for a first-time builder
- Risk of an inconsistent, unprofessional result without design training
- No strategic guidance on layout, flow, or conversion
Hiring a Showit designer:
- Higher upfront investment
- Professional, polished result that reflects your brand accurately
- Strategic layout designed to guide visitors toward booking or buying
- Frees your time to stay in your zone of genius
- SEO foundation built in from day one
- You receive training on how to update it yourself going forward
Your website is often the first impression a potential client gets of your business. The question isn’t really “can I afford to hire a designer?” — it’s “can I afford not to?”
What to watch out for when comparing quotes
Unusually low prices. A $300 website is almost always a template with your name on it. There is nothing wrong with starting there, but know what you’re getting.
No contract. Any reputable designer will have a contract. It protects you both.
No process. Ask how they work. What does the timeline look like? How do you provide feedback? What happens if you miss a deadline? A designer with a clear, structured process respects your time and their own.
Ownership questions. Who owns the final website files? Who holds the domain? (Always you — see our post on domain vs. hosting.) Make sure this is spelled out clearly before you pay a deposit.
Common questions about website design pricing
“Can I pay in installments?”
Most designers offer a payment plan — typically a 50% deposit to book, with the remainder due at launch. Some offer three-part payment plans for larger projects. It’s completely normal to ask, and a good designer will have a clear answer ready.
“How long does a website project take?”
Depending on the scope and the designer’s availability, most custom Showit websites take 4–10 weeks from kickoff to launch. Rush timelines are sometimes available for an additional fee.
“Do I need a copywriter too?”
If your designer doesn’t offer copy services, you have three options: write it yourself, hire a copywriter separately ($500–$3,000+ depending on scope), or work with a designer who includes copywriting guidance in their process. Having someone review your copy before it goes on the site is always worth it.
“What’s included in ongoing maintenance?”
Most website designers hand off the site at launch with a tutorial on how to make basic updates yourself. Ongoing maintenance retainers (for regular updates, backups, and technical support) are typically $100–$300/month and are separate from the original design fee.
The bottom line
Website design costs what it costs because it’s skilled, strategic, time-intensive work. The right investment for your business depends on your stage, your goals, and how central your website is to your client acquisition.
Here’s a quick gut-check checklist before you reach out to designers:
✦ Know your budget range before you start requesting quotes
✦ Have a rough idea of how many pages you need
✦ Know your platform preference (hint: Showit is exceptional for creatives)
✦ Ask every designer what’s included at launch and post-launch
✦ Always check that you will own your domain and website files
✦ Request to see their portfolio — specifically sites live and performing
A well-designed Showit website isn’t an expense. It’s the hardest-working member of your team, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, converting strangers into clients while you sleep.
Ready to talk about what a custom Showit website would look like for your business? I’d love to hear about your project. View packages and reach out at ericakulash.com/services-brand-websites.
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