How Much Does a Website Cost? (2025 Guide)

Planning to build a website for your business in India? You're probably wondering: "How much does a website cost in 2025?"

The honest answer? It depends on what you need. A basic website can cost as little as ₹5,000, while a full-featured ecommerce platform can run into lakhs.

In this complete guide, I'll break down website development costs in India for 2025, share real pricing examples, reveal hidden costs, and show you exactly how to budget for your project.

Quick Answer: Website Cost in India 2025

Here's what you can expect to pay:

• DIY Website Builder: ₹3,000 - ₹15,000/year

• Basic Business Website (5 pages): ₹8,000 - ₹35,000

• Small Business Website (10-15 pages): ₹25,000 - ₹80,000

• Ecommerce Website: ₹40,000 - ₹3,00,000+

• Custom Enterprise Website: ₹2,00,000 - ₹15,00,000+

Now, let's dive deep into each option.

Understanding Website Cost Components

Before we discuss specific numbers, understand that website making cost includes these key elements:

1. Domain Name Cost

• What it is: Your website address (like https://cartigram.com/)

• Cost: ₹500 - ₹1,500/year for .com, .in domains

• Popular registrars in India: GoDaddy, BigRock, Hostinger India

2. Web Hosting Cost

• Shared Hosting: ₹1,500 - ₹5,000/year (good for small websites)

• VPS Hosting: ₹8,000 - ₹30,000/year (better performance)

• Dedicated Hosting: ₹50,000 - ₹2,00,000/year (enterprise level)

• Cloud Hosting: ₹3,000 - ₹50,000/year (scalable option)

3. Website Design Cost

• Template-based design: ₹5,000 - ₹25,000

• Custom design: ₹30,000 - ₹1,50,000

• Premium custom design: ₹1,50,000 - ₹5,00,000+

4. Website Development Cost India

• Basic HTML/CSS site: ₹8,000 - ₹30,000

• WordPress website cost: ₹15,000 - ₹80,000

• Custom coded website: ₹60,000 - ₹3,00,000+

5. Content Creation

• Basic copywriting: ₹500 - ₹2,000 per page

• Professional SEO content: ₹2,000 - ₹5,000 per page

• Stock photos: ₹500 - ₹3,000 (or free from Unsplash/Pexels)

• Custom photography: ₹10,000 - ₹50,000

6. Website Maintenance Cost India

• Monthly maintenance: ₹2,000 - ₹10,000/month

• Annual maintenance: ₹20,000 - ₹1,20,000/year

• Includes: updates, backups, security, minor fixes

Detailed Website Cost Breakdown by Type

Option 1: DIY Website Builder (₹3,000 - ₹15,000/year)

Best for: Solopreneurs, freelancers, very small businesses

Popular platforms in India:

• Wix: ₹499 - ₹1,299/month

• Squarespace: ₹750 - ₹2,400/month

• Hostinger Website Builder: ₹299 - ₹599/month

Total first-year cost: ₹5,000 - ₹18,000

What's included:

• Pre-designed templates

• Drag-and-drop editor

• Basic hosting included

• Free SSL certificate

• Mobile-responsive design

What's NOT included:

• Custom features

• Advanced SEO tools

• Professional design consultation

• Custom coding

Real example: A Mumbai-based yoga instructor used Wix's Business Basic plan (₹649/month) to create a 5-page website with booking features. Total cost: ₹7,800 for the first year.

Option 2: Basic Business Website (₹15,000 - ₹50,000)

Best for: Small businesses, local shops, consultants

Typical features:

• 5-8 pages (Home, About, Services, Gallery, Contact)

• Mobile-responsive design

• Contact form

• Google Maps integration

• Basic SEO setup

• Social media links

Cost breakdown:

• Domain + Hosting: ₹3,000/year

• WordPress theme: ₹2,000 - ₹5,000 (one-time)

• Development: ₹10,000 - ₹30,000

• Content writing: ₹3,000 - ₹8,000

• Total: ₹18,000 - ₹46,000

Ongoing costs: ₹5,000 - ₹15,000/year (hosting renewal, maintenance)

Real example: A Pune-based interior designer paid ₹28,000 for an 8-page WordPress website with portfolio gallery and contact forms. Included 1-year hosting and basic SEO.

Option 3: Professional Small Business Website (₹40,000 - ₹1,20,000)

Best for: Growing businesses, service providers, B2B companies

Typical features:

• 10-20 pages with custom content

• Professional custom design

• Advanced contact forms

• Blog section

• Newsletter integration

• WhatsApp integration

• Customer testimonials

• Live chat plugin

• Complete SEO optimization

• Google Analytics setup

Cost breakdown:

• Domain + Premium Hosting: ₹6,000/year

• Custom theme/design: ₹15,000 - ₹40,000

• Development: ₹25,000 - ₹60,000

• Professional content: ₹8,000 - ₹15,000

• Premium plugins: ₹3,000 - ₹10,000

• Total: ₹57,000 - ₹1,31,000

Ongoing costs: ₹15,000 - ₹40,000/year

Real example: A Bangalore IT training institute invested ₹85,000 for a 15-page website with course listings, student portal, blog, and payment gateway integration.

Option 4: Ecommerce Website Cost (₹50,000 - ₹3,00,000+)

Best for: Online stores, product-based businesses

Platform options:

Basic Ecommerce (₹50,000 - ₹1,00,000):

• WordPress + WooCommerce

• 50-100 products

• Basic payment gateway

• Inventory management

• Order management system

Mid-range Ecommerce (₹1,00,000 - ₹2,00,000):

• Shopify or custom solution

• 500-1000 products

• Multiple payment gateways

• Advanced shipping options

• Email automation

• Customer accounts

• Product reviews

• Discount coupons

Premium Ecommerce (₹2,00,000 - ₹5,00,000+):

• Custom-built platform

• Unlimited products

• Multi-vendor support

• Mobile app integration

• Advanced analytics

• CRM integration

• Custom features

Ecommerce website development cost breakdown (mid-range):

• Domain + Cloud Hosting: ₹12,000/year

• Platform setup: ₹20,000 - ₹40,000

• Custom design: ₹30,000 - ₹60,000

• Development: ₹50,000 - ₹1,00,000

• Product photography: ₹15,000 - ₹40,000

• Payment gateway setup: ₹5,000 - ₹10,000

• Total: ₹1,32,000 - ₹2,62,000

Ongoing costs: ₹20,000 - ₹60,000/year (hosting, maintenance, transaction fees)

Real example: A Delhi-based fashion boutique spent ₹1,45,000 on a WooCommerce store with 200 products, payment gateway, and shipping integration. Monthly maintenance: ₹8,000.

Option 5: Custom Enterprise Website (₹3,00,000 - ₹15,00,000+)

Best for: Large businesses, corporations, complex web applications

Features:

• Fully custom design and development

• Custom CMS

• Advanced functionality

• Third-party API integrations

• Multi-language support

• Advanced security features

• Dedicated project management

• Scalable architecture

Cost breakdown:

• Discovery & planning: ₹30,000 - ₹1,00,000

• UX/UI design: ₹80,000 - ₹3,00,000

• Frontend development: ₹1,00,000 - ₹4,00,000

• Backend development: ₹1,50,000 - ₹6,00,000

• Testing & QA: ₹40,000 - ₹1,50,000

• Total: ₹4,00,000 - ₹15,50,000+

Ongoing costs: ₹50,000 - ₹2,00,000/year

Hidden Costs Most Businesses Miss

When budgeting for your website, don't forget these often-overlooked expenses:

1. SSL Certificate

• Cost: ₹1,000 - ₹5,000/year

• Why you need it: Security, Google ranking, customer trust

• Tip: Many hosting providers offer free SSL

2. Business Email Hosting

• Cost: ₹1,200 - ₹6,000/year

• Example: contact@yourbusiness.com

• Popular options: Google Workspace (₹125/user/month), Zoho Mail (₹60/user/month)

3. Premium Plugins/Extensions

• Cost: ₹2,000 - ₹20,000/year

• Examples: Advanced SEO tools, booking systems, security plugins

• Common needs: Yoast SEO Premium (₹7,000/year), WPForms Pro (₹3,500/year)

4. Payment Gateway Charges (for ecommerce)

• Setup fee: ₹500 - ₹5,000

• Transaction fees: 2% - 3% per sale

• Annual maintenance: ₹5,000 - ₹15,000

• Popular in India: Razorpay, Instamojo, PayU

5. Content Updates & Additions

• Cost: ₹1,500 - ₹5,000 per update

• Alternative: Learn to update yourself (saves money)

6. SEO Services

• Monthly SEO: ₹10,000 - ₹50,000/month

• One-time SEO audit: ₹15,000 - ₹40,000

• Essential for: Getting found on Google

7. Website Backup Solutions

• Cost: ₹1,000 - ₹3,000/year

• Why critical: Prevents data loss

8. Security & Malware Protection

• Cost: ₹2,000 - ₹10,000/year

• Popular tools: Sucuri, Wordfence Premium

9. Website Speed Optimization

• One-time cost: ₹8,000 - ₹25,000

• Impact: Better user experience, higher Google rankings

10. Legal Pages Creation

Cost: ₹5,000 - ₹15,000

Includes: Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions, Refund Policy

Required for: Ecommerce, GDPR compliance

Website Cost Calculator: Calculate Your Investment

Use this simple formula to estimate your website cost:

Total First Year Cost = Base Development + Hosting + Domain + Content + Add-ons + Contingency

Example Calculation (Small Business Website):

• Base Development: ₹35,000

• Hosting (annual): ₹4,000

• Domain (annual): ₹800

• Content Writing (10 pages × ₹1,500): ₹15,000

• SSL Certificate: ₹1,500

• Business Email: ₹3,000

• Premium Plugins: ₹4,000

• SEO Setup: ₹8,000

• Contingency (10%): ₹7,130

• Total First Year: ₹78,430

Year 2+ Ongoing Costs:

• Hosting renewal: ₹4,000

• Domain renewal: ₹800

• Maintenance: ₹30,000

• Annual cost: ₹34,800

How to Reduce Website Costs Without Sacrificing Quality

Budget-Saving Tips:

1. Start with a WordPress Website

• Lower development cost

• Thousands of free themes

• Easy to update yourself

• Savings: ₹20,000 - ₹50,000

2. Use Free/Affordable Themes

• Quality themes available for ₹2,000 - ₹5,000

• Customize instead of building from scratch

• Savings: ₹15,000 - ₹40,000

3. Write Your Own Content

• Learn basic copywriting

• Use AI tools for assistance (ChatGPT, Jasper)

• Savings: ₹10,000 - ₹30,000

4. Use Free Stock Photos

• Unsplash, Pexels, Pixabay

• High-quality images at zero cost

• Savings: ₹5,000 - ₹20,000

5. Learn Basic Website Management

• YouTube tutorials for WordPress

• Update content yourself

• Savings: ₹2,000 - ₹5,000/month

6. Bundle Services

• Many agencies offer package deals

• Negotiate for better rates

• Savings: 10% - 20% off total cost

7. Start Small, Scale Later

• Launch with essential pages only

• Add features as you grow

• Savings: ₹20,000 - ₹60,000 initially

8. Choose Shared Hosting Initially

• Upgrade when traffic increases

• Sufficient for new websites

• Savings: ₹5,000 - ₹15,000/year

9. Use Free Plugins Before Buying Premium

• Many free alternatives exist

• Test before investing

• Savings: ₹5,000 - ₹15,000/year

10. Hire Freelancers Instead of Agencies

• Lower overhead costs

• Direct communication

• Savings: 30% - 50% on development

Best Tech Stack Options for Indian Businesses

Budget-Friendly Stack (₹15,000 - ₹40,000)

• Platform: WordPress

• Hosting: Hostinger (₹199/month)

• Theme: Astra/OceanWP (free)

• Plugins: Free versions

• Best for: Startups, solopreneurs

Mid-Range Stack (₹50,000 - ₹1,20,000)

• Platform: WordPress/Webflow

• Hosting: SiteGround/A2 Hosting (₹399/month)

• Theme: Premium (Divi, Avada - ₹4,000)

• Plugins: Mix of free and premium

• Best for: Small to medium businesses

Premium Stack (₹1,50,000 - ₹3,00,000)

• Platform: Custom Laravel/React

• Hosting: AWS/DigitalOcean VPS

• Design: Fully custom

• Features: Advanced functionality

• Best for: Growing businesses, ecommerce

Enterprise Stack (₹3,00,000+)

• Platform: Custom full-stack solution

• Hosting: Dedicated/cloud infrastructure

• Design: Brand-focused custom design

• Features: Complex integrations, scalability

• Best for: Large companies, high-traffic sites

Real Case Study: Local Restaurant Website

Business: Mumbai-based multi-cuisine restaurant

Goal: Online presence with menu and table booking

Project Details:

• 8-page WordPress website

• Custom photography of dishes

• Online table reservation system

• Location maps and directions

• Social media integration

• Mobile-optimized design

Cost Breakdown:

• Domain + Hosting: ₹3,500

• WordPress theme: ₹3,000

• Custom design adjustments: ₹8,000

• Development: ₹18,000

• Food photography: ₹12,000

• Content writing: ₹5,000

• Table booking plugin: ₹4,000

• Total Investment: ₹53,500

Results After 6 Months:

• 40% increase in table bookings

• Website ranked on first page for "restaurants in [area]"

• 200+ monthly website visitors

• ROI achieved in 4 months

Ongoing Costs: ₹4,000/year hosting + ₹12,000/year maintenance

How Much Should I Budget for a Website?

Based on your business size and needs:

Solopreneur/Freelancer

• Budget: ₹10,000 - ₹30,000

• Option: DIY builder or basic WordPress site

• Timeline: 1-2 weeks

Small Local Business

• Budget: ₹30,000 - ₹80,000

• Option: Professional WordPress website

• Timeline: 3-6 weeks

Growing Business/Startup

• Budget: ₹80,000 - ₹2,00,000

• Option: Custom design with advanced features

• Timeline: 6-10 weeks

Ecommerce Store

• Budget: ₹1,00,000 - ₹3,00,000

• Option: WooCommerce or Shopify

• Timeline: 8-12 weeks

Enterprise/Large Company

• Budget: ₹3,00,000 - ₹15,00,000+

• Option: Custom enterprise solution

• Timeline: 3-6 months

Cost to Hire a Web Developer in India

Understanding developer rates helps you budget accurately:

Freelance Developers

• Junior (1-2 years exp): ₹500 - ₹1,200/hour

• Mid-level (3-5 years exp): ₹1,200 - ₹2,500/hour

• Senior (5+ years exp): ₹2,500 - ₹5,000/hour

Agency Rates

• Small agency: ₹1,500 - ₹3,000/hour

• Mid-size agency: ₹3,000 - ₹6,000/hour

• Large agency: ₹6,000 - ₹12,000/hour

Fixed Project Rates

Basic website: ₹15,000 - ₹40,000

Business website: ₹40,000 - ₹1,20,000

Ecommerce website: ₹1,00,000 - ₹3,00,000

Custom application: ₹2,00,000+

Tip: Always get at least 3 quotes and check portfolios before hiring.

Cheapest Way to Build a Professional Website

If budget is tight, follow this step-by-step approach:

Step 1: Choose Hostinger Website Builder (₹2,400/year)

• Includes hosting, domain, and builder

• Professional templates included

• No coding required

Step 2: Use Free Design Elements

• Free templates from the platform

• Free images from Unsplash

• Free icons from Flaticon

Step 3: Write Your Own Content

• Study competitor websites

• Use AI tools for assistance

• Keep it simple and clear

Step 4: DIY SEO Basics

• Use Yoast SEO (free)

• Google Search Console (free)

• Learn basics from YouTube

Step 5: Free Marketing Tools

• Google My Business (free)

• Social media accounts (free)

• Email marketing free plans (Mailchimp)

Total Cost: ₹3,500 - ₹6,000 for first year

Time Investment: 20-30 hours of your time

Best for: Very tight budgets, testing business ideas

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How much does it cost to build a website for a small business in India?

A professional small business website costs between ₹30,000 to ₹80,000 for initial development, including design, development, content, and basic SEO. Ongoing costs of ₹15,000-₹30,000 per year cover hosting, maintenance, and updates.

2. What is the average cost of a 5-page website in India?

A 5-page website typically costs ₹15,000 to ₹40,000 depending on complexity. This includes domain (₹800), hosting (₹3,000/year), design (₹5,000-₹15,000), and development (₹8,000-₹20,000). Template-based sites are cheaper than custom designs.

3. How much does an ecommerce website cost in India?

Ecommerce website costs range from ₹50,000 for basic WooCommerce stores to ₹3,00,000+ for custom platforms. Mid-range ecommerce sites with 500 products, payment gateway, and shipping integration cost ₹1,00,000-₹2,00,000.

4. Is it cheaper to hire a freelancer or an agency?

Freelancers are typically 30-50% cheaper than agencies. A freelancer might charge ₹25,000 for a project that costs ₹50,000 at an agency. However, agencies offer more comprehensive services, project management, and ongoing support.

5. What's included in website maintenance cost?

Website maintenance (₹2,000-₹10,000/month) includes: software updates, security monitoring, regular backups, bug fixes, content updates, performance optimization, uptime monitoring, and technical support.

6. Can I build a website myself to save money?

Yes! Using platforms like Wix, Hostinger, or WordPress, you can build a website for ₹5,000-₹15,000 annually. This requires time investment (20-40 hours) but saves ₹20,000-₹50,000 in development costs.

7. How much should I budget for a website in 2025?

Budget based on business type: Solopreneur (₹10,000-₹30,000), Small business (₹30,000-₹80,000), Growing business (₹80,000-₹2,00,000), Ecommerce (₹1,00,000-₹3,00,000), Enterprise (₹3,00,000+). Include 20% buffer for unexpected costs.

8. What are the ongoing costs after website launch?

Expect these annual costs: Hosting (₹3,000-₹12,000), Domain renewal (₹800-₹1,500), Maintenance (₹20,000-₹60,000), Security (₹2,000-₹8,000), Content updates (₹10,000-₹30,000), and SEO services (₹1,00,000-₹6,00,000 optional).

9. How long does it take to build a website?

Timelines vary by complexity: Basic website (1-2 weeks), Small business site (3-6 weeks), Ecommerce store (8-12 weeks), Custom enterprise site (3-6 months). Delays occur with content gathering and feedback rounds.

10. Do I need to pay for a custom domain or can I use a free one?

Invest in a custom domain (₹800-₹1,500/year) for credibility. Free domains (yoursite.wix.com) look unprofessional, hurt SEO, and you don't own them. Custom domains build brand trust and are essential for serious businesses.

11. Which is better for ecommerce: WooCommerce or Shopify?

WooCommerce costs less (₹50,000-₹1,50,000) with one-time fees, offers more customization, but requires technical maintenance. Shopify costs more (₹2,000-₹25,000/month subscription) but is easier to use and includes hosting. Choose WooCommerce for budget and control, Shopify for simplicity.

12. How much does WordPress website cost in India?

WordPress websites range from ₹15,000 (basic template) to ₹1,50,000 (fully custom). Typical costs: Hosting (₹3,000-₹8,000/year), Premium theme (₹2,000-₹5,000), Development (₹10,000-₹60,000), Plugins (₹3,000-₹15,000/year).

13. What's the cost difference between template and custom design?

Template-based design costs ₹5,000-₹20,000 with faster delivery (1-2 weeks). Custom design costs ₹30,000-₹2,00,000+ but offers unique branding and specific functionality. Start with templates if budget-constrained, upgrade later.

14. Do website prices include content writing?

Not usually. Most quotes exclude content. Professional copywriting costs ₹1,000-₹5,000 per page. Budget ₹10,000-₹30,000 for complete website content. Some developers offer basic content, but quality varies.

15. How can I verify if a website quote is fair?

Get 3-5 quotes from different developers/agencies, check what's included (hosting, maintenance, revisions), review portfolios and past work, ask for itemized breakdown, verify domain ownership, and compare features offered. Average quotes within ₹10,000 of each other are typically fair market rates.

Final Thoughts: Making the Right Investment

Your website is an investment, not an expense. A well-built website can:

• Generate leads 24/7

• Build credibility and trust

• Reach customers beyond your location

• Reduce dependence on marketplaces

• Provide valuable customer insights

Key Takeaways:

1. Start with what you need: Don't pay for features you won't use

2. Plan for ongoing costs: Budget for maintenance, not just development

3. Quality over cheap: A bad website costs more in lost opportunities

4. Mobile-first: 70%+ of Indian users browse on mobile

5. SEO matters: A beautiful website is worthless if no one finds it

6. Think long-term: Choose scalable solutions that grow with you

Action Steps:

1. Define your website goals clearly

2. List must-have features

3. Set a realistic budget (with 20% buffer)

4. Get 3-5 quotes from developers

5. Check portfolios and reviews

6. Start with MVP, scale gradually

7. Track ROI after launch

Whether you're spending ₹10,000 or ₹10,00,000, the right website built for your specific needs will deliver returns far beyond the initial investment.

Ready to build your website? Start by defining your requirements, setting your budget, and finding the right developer who understands your business goals.

Need help calculating your exact website cost? Bookmark this guide and use our formulas above to create your custom budget breakdown.