Website costs in the USA break down into three tiers based on complexity and customization. A basic template site using WordPress or Squarespace with minimal customization runs $500–$1,500 if you hire a freelancer or small agency, though DIY approaches can cost under $200 if you handle setup yourself. These work for simple portfolios or starter businesses but offer limited functionality and generic design. Most small to mid-sized businesses pay $2,500–$15,000 for a custom-designed website with 5–15 pages, professional copywriting, basic SEO setup, and mobile optimization. This range covers local service businesses, professional practices, and B2B companies that need credibility and lead generation. At Ottawa SEO, our typical custom builds land in the $4,000–$8,000 range for straightforward business sites, scaling up when e-commerce, custom integrations, or complex functionality enters the picture. E-commerce sites start around $5,000 for basic Shopify setups but commonly reach $15,000–$40,000 for custom WooCommerce or Shopify Plus builds with hundreds of products, payment gateway integration, and inventory management. Enterprise websites with advanced features, custom development, or web applications easily exceed $50,000 and can reach six figures for major platforms. Beyond the initial build, expect ongoing costs: hosting runs $20–$300 monthly depending on traffic and server requirements, domain registration costs $10–$50 annually, and maintenance contracts typically run $100–$500 monthly for updates, security patches, and content changes. Many agencies bundle these into retainer packages. The biggest cost drivers are custom design work, number of pages, e-commerce functionality, third-party integrations, and content creation. Geographic location matters too—developers in San Francisco or New York charge 30–50% more than those in smaller markets, though remote work has flattened this somewhat. Cheaper isn't always better; a $1,000 site that doesn't convert costs more long-term than a $6,000 site that generates consistent leads.