Have you been thinking about getting a website for your business, but you're not quite sure how much you should budget?
You're not alone! One of the most common questions business owners ask is, "How much does a website actually cost?"
The answer depends on what you need your website to do, how many pages you require, the functionality involved and whether you're starting from scratch or updating an existing website.
At DESC Designs, we believe professional website design should be transparent, practical and tailored to your business. That's why we offer a range of website packages to suit different budgets, business sizes and goals.
In this guide, we'll explain what influences website design costs in Australia, what you should look for when comparing quotes, and how to choose the right website package for your business.
How much does a website cost in Australia?
Website design prices can vary considerably. A simple one-page website will generally cost less than a large business website with multiple service pages, advanced integrations or online shopping functionality.
At DESC Designs, our website packages start at $800, with options for small businesses, growing organisations, sporting clubs and businesses requiring more customised solutions.
Here's a quick overview of our current website design pricing.
Website design packages at DESC Designs
Digital Kickstart $800
Start-ups, sole traders and small businesses needing a one-page website
Business Builder $1,495
Businesses requiring up to six pages
Professional Presence $1,995
Established Businesses requiring up to ten pages.
Enterprise Solutions From $2,995
Businesses requiring customised functionality and more comprehensive solutions.
Club Connect $1,095
Sporting clubs and community organisations.
Frand Final From $1,995
Sporting clubs and community organisations.
Website Rebuild & Modernisation From $1,295
Sporting clubs and community organisations.
All prices are in Australian dollars and exclude GST. GST is added to your invoice. Prices and package inclusions may change.
You can explore the inclusions of each package on our Website Packages page.
What's included in the cost of a professionally designed website?
A website is much more than a collection of attractive pages. It needs to represent your business, communicate what you offer and make it easy for potential customers to take the next step.
Depending on the package you choose, your website may include:
- Custom website design: A professional design that reflects your branding and business.
- Mobile-friendly layouts: Your website should work beautifully on mobile phones, tablets and desktop computers.
- Contact forms: Give potential customers a convenient way to get in touch.
- Search engine optimisation (SEO): Foundational SEO elements help search engines understand your website.
- Website speed optimisation: A smoother experience for visitors, with attention to loading performance.
- Social media integration: Connect your website with your social media presence.
- WordPress setup: A flexible website platform that can grow with your business.
- Security configuration: Appropriate security setup and spam protection for your website.
Our larger packages also include additional features such as blog functionality, Google Analytics and Search Console integration, XML sitemaps and more comprehensive SEO setup.
The important thing is to choose a website that meets your current needs while allowing room for your business to grow.
Which website package is right for your business?
Every business is different. You might need a simple online presence to get started, or you may require a more comprehensive website to showcase multiple services.
Here's how to decide which option might suit you.
What factors affect website design costs?
Even when two businesses operate in the same industry, their websites can have very different requirements.
Here are some of the main factors that influence the price.
The number of pages
A one-page website is generally more straightforward to design than a website with separate pages for multiple services, locations, projects and resources.
The functionality you need
Contact forms and social media links are relatively straightforward. Online stores, booking systems, payment integrations, membership portals and other specialised features can require additional configuration and testing.
Your content and images
Your website needs clear, useful content and appropriate images. If copywriting, photography or extensive content preparation is required, this may affect the overall project cost.
SEO requirements
Foundational SEO setup is an important part of building a website. More extensive keyword research, content optimisation, local SEO, ongoing SEO and Large Language Model Optimisation (LLMO = AI) may require additional services.
Your existing website
If you're replacing an existing website, the amount of content, the condition of the current site and any functionality that needs to be retained can affect the work involved.
The best approach is to establish what you need before choosing a package. That way, you can invest in the features that matter to your business.
Don't forget the ongoing costs of owning a website
One thing that's easy to overlook when budgeting for a website is the ongoing cost of keeping it online and running smoothly.
Depending on your setup, you may need to budget for:
- Domain registration: Your website's address, renewed periodically.
- Website hosting: The service that stores your website and makes it accessible online.
- Maintenance and updates: Keeping WordPress, themes and plugins updated, with appropriate backups and security checks.
- Content updates: Changes to services, prices, staff details, images and other website information.
- Additional services: Such as ongoing SEO, social media management, eCommerce support or more substantial website improvements.
These costs are separate from the initial website design unless specifically included in your agreement.
At DESC Designs, we also offer ongoing website maintenance and support options to help businesses keep their websites maintained and up to date.
A website shouldn't simply be built and forgotten. Like any important business asset, it needs appropriate care.
Is a cheaper website always the better option?
It's understandable to want to keep costs down, especially when you're starting a business.
DIY website builders and inexpensive templates can be suitable for some businesses. However, it's worth looking beyond the initial price before making a decision.
Consider the following questions:
- Will the website represent my business professionally?
- Is it easy for customers to navigate and contact me?
- Will it work well on mobile devices?
- Has SEO been considered during the design and build?
- Can the website grow with my business?
- Who will help if something goes wrong?
- Are hosting, maintenance and additional functionality included in the quote?
A lower initial price isn't necessarily a bad thing, just as a higher price doesn't automatically guarantee a better result.
What matters is understanding what you're paying for and whether the website will meet your business needs.
Your website is often one of the first places potential customers go to learn about your business. It should help build confidence, communicate your value and make it easy for people to take the next step.
How does payment work at DESC Designs?
We aim to keep the process straightforward and transparent.
For our Digital Kickstart one-page website, full payment is required before work begins.
For our other standard website packages, payments are divided into three stages:
- 50% deposit before the project begins.
- 30% payment when the design is approved.
- Final 20% payment before the website launches.
We also offer a 7% discount on eligible website packages, excluding Digital Kickstart, when the full payment is made upfront before work begins.
If you need an expedited project with an approximate two-to-three-week turnaround, a 25% priority service surcharge applies, subject to project requirements and scheduling.
We'll discuss your requirements and the relevant terms with you before your project starts, so you know what to expect.
Ready to invest in a website for your business?
Whether you're launching a new business, upgrading an outdated website or looking for a more comprehensive online presence, choosing the right website package starts with understanding your goals.
At DESC Designs, we work with businesses to create professional WordPress websites that reflect their brand, communicate their services and provide a solid foundation for their online presence.
We don't believe every business needs the biggest website or the most expensive package. We believe in finding a solution that makes sense for your business, your budget and where you want to go next.
Let's talk about your website.
Visit our Website Packages page to explore the options, or contact DESC Designs to discuss your requirements and request a quote.
Your business deserves a website that works for you.
Some of our Before and After Rebuilds below
How much does a basic website cost in Australia?
At DESC Designs, our Digital Kickstart one-page website package costs $800 excluding GST. It includes custom design, a contact form, social media integration, mobile-friendly design and foundational SEO setup.
How much does a small business website cost?
Our Business Builder package costs $1,495 excluding GST for a custom-designed website of up to six pages. Businesses needing a larger website can consider our Professional Presence package at $1,995 excluding GST for up to 10 pages.
Does website design include SEO?
Our website packages include SEO setup appropriate to the package. More extensive SEO, ongoing optimisation and additional LLMO - AI services may be quoted separately depending on your requirements.
How much does it cost to redesign an existing website?
Our Website Rebuild & Modernisation service starts at $1,295 excluding GST. The final cost depends on the size of your website, the functionality required, the extent of the redesign and, importantly, the condition of your existing website.
If your website hasn't been maintained regularly, its underlying technology may be outdated. WordPress, PHP and your theme or plugins may no longer be compatible with current versions, making updates difficult or potentially causing significant issues with your existing site. In some cases, a simple refresh may not be possible, and a complete rebuild may be the most practical and cost-effective solution.
This is one of the reasons ongoing website maintenance is so important. Regular updates and maintenance help keep your website secure, compatible and functioning correctly, potentially avoiding the expense of a full rebuild sooner than necessary.
Do I need to pay for website maintenance?
Ongoing website maintenance is separate from the initial website design and build. At DESC Designs, we include website updates and maintenance for the first 12 months from the commencement of your contract, giving you peace of mind while your new website gets established.
After the initial 12-month period, we offer our Health & Safety Package to help keep your website running smoothly. WordPress websites require regular updates, backups, security checks and occasional troubleshooting to remain secure, compatible and functioning as intended.
Your ongoing maintenance requirements and costs will depend on your website and the level of support you choose. Regular maintenance helps protect your investment and can reduce the risk of unexpected issues and costly repairs down the track.
How long does it take to build a website?
The timeframe for building a website depends on the size and complexity of the project, the functionality required, and how promptly content, information and feedback are provided throughout the process. As a general guide, most website projects take approximately two months from commencement to completion.
Please keep in mind that the timeframe also depends heavily on your promptness in supplying content, providing feedback and approving designs. Delays in receiving information or approvals can extend the overall project timeline.
Need your website sooner? At DESC Designs, expedited projects with an approximate two-to-three-week turnaround may be available, subject to scheduling and project requirements. A 25% priority service surcharge applies to expedited projects.
Are your website prices inclusive of GST?
No. All prices published on the DESC Designs website are exclusive of GST. GST is added to your invoice.
** Pricing stated in this article is current as at October 2026, the date of publication, and is subject to change without notice. Please refer to our Website Packages page for the latest pricing and inclusions.
