If you’re thinking about giving your site a facelift or building a new website from scratch, you’ve probably typed “how much does a web designer cost” into Google at least once.
Spoiler: You’re gonna get a ton of different figures. Some of the bigger numbers may even make you wonder if hiring a pro is worth the dough. After all, can’t you just piece something together with a free website builder or watch a couple of YouTube tutorials and do it yourself?
Well…kinda.
But if you want a professional website that actually works (and doesn’t scare people away), you’ll probably want more than a basic template.
Today, I’m walking you through what a web designer actually does, what web designers charge on average, and how these web design costs might make sense for your web design project.
Sound good? Let’s hop in.
What makes a web designer worth the money?
It might look like designers just pick a few colors and call it a day, but a real-deal professional web designer does a whole lot more.
They’ll think about the layout, user experience, visuals, and sometimes even content creation (like if you want them to help with the words on the page).
A great website designer can also figure out how to weave in search engine optimization basics (like quick load times or mobile-friendly layouts) so people can actually find you online.
Some designers handle everything in-house. Others team up with developers or a web design agency. You can also go with freelance web designers, which might cost less per hour but can vary big-time in skills and style.
At the end of the day, you’re paying for someone who genuinely knows what looks good, works well, and fits your brand vibe.
How many hours go into a typical web design project?
I won’t lie—there’s a huge range, depending on your project complexity.
A simpler website design project might wrap up in around 30 hours, while a bigger site with advanced features (like an online store or membership setup) can climb to 100+ hours.
Here’s a rough breakdown:
- Planning & Strategy (5–10 hours): Getting to know your business and must-have features while mapping out your web design goals.
- Wireframes & Mockups (10–25 hours): Sketching different layouts and picking fonts, colors, etc., plus doing a few rounds of feedback to lock in the look.
- Visual Tweaks & Revisions (5–20 hours): Fine-tuning images, spacing, and page structure and making sure it all flows naturally.
- Development Work (10–30 hours, if included): Turning your final design into a working website and setting up a content management system (like WordPress) if you want to manage your own website later.
- Testing & Polishing (5–10 hours): Checking responsiveness on phones, tablets, etc., and fixing any random quirks before launch.
Website design costs: What are we actually talking about?
Alright, let’s talk website design costs. While web design pricing can vary, it makes sense to try and get a ballpark idea before jumping in. So, here’s a rough idea of how web designers charge.
You might see freelance web designers quoting per- hour rates anywhere from $25 on the low end to $150+ on the higher side.
A bigger web design agency may give you a package price instead of an hourly breakdown. It really depends on the team’s experience level and how big your design project is. Here’s how package pricing might shake out:
- Basic Small Business Sites: $2k–$5k (maybe a 5-page site that looks solid and is easy to update)
- Mid-Range/Ecommerce Sites: $6k–$15k (especially if you need an online store, custom layouts, or more pages)
Big, Complex Builds: $15k+ (if you’re looking for specialized features and heavy-lifting web development)
Where do these design costs even come from?
It’s not like your experienced web designer is just hitting the “make it pretty” button. Your design costs usually cover:
- Discovery Sessions: Figuring out your business goals and style and taking a good look at your competition.
- Custom Layouts: Instead of using mass-produced templates like those you’ll find on DIY website builders like Wix, your designer will create custom visuals that match your brand’s personality.
- Responsive Website Design: Making sure the site looks good on everything (laptops, phones, tablets…you name it).
- Basic On-Page SEO Stuff: Setting up meta titles, headings, etc. and improving load times so folks don’t click away.
- (Optional) Web Development Services: Coding and testing advanced parts of your site if needed—like forms, payment gateways, or interactive elements.
- Launch Support: Migrating to your host and double-checking for any last-minute gremlins.
Sure, the cost of these line items can add up fast, but keep in mind that a poorly done site will end up costing you more in fixes, lost leads, or wasted time down the road.
Is DIY web design ever a good idea?
DIY can work if you’re just starting out, or you have zero budget for a website design service. Grab a website builder, follow some tutorials, and call it a day. But be aware of a few pain points:
- Limited Customization: You often can’t tweak everything. Your site might look like a clone of your neighbor’s.
- No SEO Services: Without web design support, it’s up to YOU to optimize your site and its content to show up in search engine results to help people find you.
- Support & Security: With do-it-yourself tools, you’re on the hook if something breaks—or if your site gets hacked.
- Design Quality: Not everyone’s a designer. Poor color combos or awkward layouts can scare customers away.
If your small business depends heavily on your own website to make sales or generate leads, ponying up for professional web design can spare you a lot of headaches.
And it’s not just about what you need now—it’s about the future of your business. Laying a solid web foundation now will help you expand later.
So… How much does a web designer cost you? Is it worth it?
In the end, you’re looking at anything from $2k to $15k+ for your web design project, and in most cases, yes—hiring a website designer is well worth the price tag.
A solid web design can do wonders for your branding, trust factor, and that all-important first impression. Think about it: if you land on a janky site, do you whip out your wallet, or do you run away? Exactly.
Web design costs usually reflect the time, skill, and strategy it takes to build a brilliant site. If you’re serious about looking good online, set aside a budget for it. The cost of website design might feel like a punch in the gut at first, but if it helps you land more clients or sell more stuff, it’s basically paying for itself.
Now it’s time to find out How to Choose a Web Designer You Can Actually Trust in my previous blog!
Think you’re ready to get a web designer on board?
Got more questions about website design pricing or how to handle your next website design project? Or maybe you just want an honest chat about the cost of website design?
Reach out to me anytime. I love talking about these things (really, I do!). And if you’re ready to go all-in with a fresh, on-brand, and user-friendly site? My team and I are here to make it happen, no matter how big or small your design project is.
