Website cost breaks down into upfront build and ongoing maintenance. A basic template-based site with 5–10 pages runs $2,500–$5,000. Custom-designed sites with unique layouts, advanced functionality, or e-commerce start around $7,500 and can reach $15,000–$25,000 for complex projects. Enterprise sites with custom integrations or web applications go higher. The main cost drivers are design complexity, number of pages, custom features like booking systems or membership portals, e-commerce requirements, and content creation. A WordPress site using a premium theme costs less than fully custom development. Copywriting adds $100–$200 per page if you need it written professionally. Photography or video production pushes costs up significantly. Monthly costs matter as much as the build. Hosting ranges from $20 for shared servers to $150+ for managed WordPress or cloud infrastructure. SSL certificates are often included now. Maintenance, security updates, and backups run $100–$300 monthly if handled professionally, or you can DIY for less. Hidden costs catch people off guard. Domain registration is $15–$40 yearly. Premium plugins or page builders may require annual licenses at $50–$250 each. If you want ongoing SEO, content updates, or conversion optimization, budget separately for that—it's not part of the build. At Ottawa SEO Inc., we've run hundreds of sites since 2014 and learned that paying $4,000–$6,000 for a solid custom WordPress build with proper technical SEO usually beats the $800 template route that needs a $3,000 rescue six months later. The cheapest option rarely stays cheapest. Focus on what actually drives revenue—fast load times, mobile optimization, clear conversion paths—not feature bloat. A $5,000 site that converts at 4% beats a $15,000 site converting at 1.5%. Know what you're buying and why it costs what it does.