Confetti Design how much should a website cost

How Much Should a Website Cost?

Ever wanted to know how much should a website cost? The team at Confetti Design have put together “A Practical Guide for Small Businesses in Melbourne“.

If you’re searching for web design in Melbourne, you’ve likely already discovered one frustrating truth — website pricing varies enormously. One web designer might quote $1,500, another $10,000 for what appears to be the same website. So why the difference? And what should a website cost in 2025?

The answer depends on your goals, the level of strategy involved, the user experience you want to deliver, and the quality of the website designers you work with. At Confetti Design, we work with small and medium-sized businesses every day, helping them understand what they actually need to attract customers and grow online.

This guide breaks down everything that affects website pricing and helps you determine the right investment for your business.

Why Website Costs Vary So Much

Even within the same city, the cost of web design in Melbourne can differ dramatically. Here are the main reasons:

1. Strategic vs. Basic Web Design

Some businesses only want a simple online presence — a few pages describing who they are and what they do. Others need a lead-generation machine with conversion-driven copywriting, SEO foundations, and tailored user journeys.

If you choose a team that focuses on strategy (rather than just assembling pages), the price will naturally be higher — but so will the results. A strategic website brings ongoing value, not just a digital brochure.

2. Experience of the Website Designers

Experienced web designers in Melbourne who understand branding, UX, conversion, and SEO are in high demand. They have the skills to ensure your website is beautiful and effective, and their pricing reflects their capability.

Newer designers or budget overseas freelancers generally charge less — but often at the cost of strategy, quality and long-term site performance.

3. Customisation and Functionality

Every feature increases complexity. Some examples include:

  • Online booking systems
  • Membership or subscription areas
  • Tailored forms or quoting systems
  • Complex menu structures
  • Advanced animations
  • Shopify ecommerce capabilities

If you need a custom web design solution, expect a higher investment — but also a better long-term user experience.

4. Content Creation

Will you provide your own copy, or do you need professionally written, SEO-friendly content? Will you supply photos, or do you need brand photography?

Strong content is often the difference between a website that converts and one that sits quietly online. Investing in content almost always pays off.

5. Ongoing Support and Hosting

A website is not a “set and forget” asset. Instead, it requires:

  • Secure hosting
  • Regular backups
  • Plugin and platform updates
  • Security monitoring
  • Ongoing technical support

Cheaper websites usually skip this entirely. Full-service studios like Confetti Design offer ongoing support to keep your website fast, secure and functional.

Typical Website Price Ranges (2025)

While every project is unique, here’s a realistic guide to what businesses can expect when hiring web designers in Melbourne:

Simple 3–5 Page Website

$2,500 – $5,000

Suitable for:

  • New businesses
  • Trades
  • Consultants
  • Basic service websites

Usually includes:

  • Home, About, Services, Contact
  • Basic SEO setup
  • Mobile-responsive layout

This level of website is best if you simply need an online presence without complex features.

Strategic Small Business Website (6–12 Pages)

$5,000 – $10,000

This is the most common range for growing businesses in Melbourne.

Suitable for:

  • Professional services
  • Health and wellness businesses
  • Local businesses wanting to rank in Google
  • Trades needing multiple service pages
  • Often includes:
  • Professionally written copy
  • Conversion strategy
  • SEO-friendly structure
  • Custom design aligned to brand
  • Blog setup
  • Lead-generation elements

This range offers excellent value as it balances design, strategy, and SEO fundamentals.

eCommerce Website (Shopify & WooCommerce)

$8,000 – $20,000+

eCcommerce requires more planning, more pages, more integrations, and more technical setup. The cost varies based on:

  • Number of products
  • Custom functionality
  • Marketing automations
  • Inventory rules
  • Payment and shipping logic

If you’re building an online shop, see our Shopify Website Design

Custom or Complex Website

$15,000 – $50,000+

This level is for businesses that need:

  • Membership areas
  • Online learning portals
  • Multi-location functions
  • Custom integrations
  • Advanced booking systems
  • Unique UX solutions

These projects require advanced design, development and ongoing support.

How to Know What You Should Spend

Here are the three questions we ask clients as part of our Clarity Process at Confetti Design:

1. What business problem do you want your website to solve?

  • Do you need more leads?
  • More sales?
  • More bookings?
  • A more professional brand presence?

The clearer the goal, the easier it is to determine the right investment.

2. What is a new customer worth to you?

If your average customer brings in $1,000+ revenue, spending $5,000-$10,000 on a website that generates 30–50 new customers per year is an outstanding ROI.

3. Do you want to DIY or outsource to professionals?

We often see businesses spend months building their own websites, only to end up hiring experts later anyway.

Working with experienced website designers saves you time and delivers sharper results.

Why Choose Confetti Design for Web Design in Melbourne?

Confetti Design is known for high-quality, conversion-focused websites for small businesses and growing brands. Clients come to us because:

We blend design with strategy

A beautiful website is pointless without a clear purpose. Our approach ensures your site attracts the right customers and converts them.

Specialise in small business websites

We understand your challenges — tight budgets, busy schedules, and the need for rapid ROI.

Trusted Web Designers Melbourne wide

We’ve built over 700 websites across Melbourne and Australia, with strong client satisfaction as evidenced my our 100+ 5 star Google reviews and consistent results.

Experienced web design in Melbourne

With more than 10+ years as web designers in Melbourne, we have the runs on the board to support your small business. Johannah and her team have built more than 700 websites!

Complete website designer solutions

From strategy and branding to SEO, copywriting, Shopify and ongoing support — everything you need is in one place.

You can explore all our services here.

So… How Much Should Your Website Cost?

The real answer is: it depends on what you want your website to do for your business.

But if you want a Melbourne-based team who understand small business, deliver exceptional design, and focus on conversions, Confetti Design is here to help.

If you’re planning a new website or redesign, start by telling us about your business here:

Johannah Barton

Johannah is founder and owner of Confetti Design, a leading Melbourne Shopify Agency. Her extensive background in fashion, interior design, sales and marketing contributes to the Agencies great ability and reputation. She creates content that helps small businesses navigate the online space helping them to consider their website as a sales tool.