How much should a website actually cost?
Prices for a website range from free to $10,000+, and it's genuinely confusing to know what you should be paying. Here's an honest breakdown.
Why the range is so big
A $0 AI builder and a $10,000 agency site can look similar in a screenshot, but they're solving completely different problems. The price mostly reflects who's actually doing the work, and for how long.
| Typical cost | What you actually get | |
|---|---|---|
| DIY / AI builder | $0–30/mo | You do all the work yourself, ongoing |
| Freelancer | $500–3,000 upfront | One-time build, support usually ends at launch |
| Agency | $3,000–10,000+ upfront, plus monthly fees | Professional build, but a big upfront cost and often separate fees for changes |
| Mr. Website | $129/mo, no build fee | Professional build and ongoing management, one flat price |
what you're paying for
Why $129/mo, no build fee
A few things worth knowing
Why not just charge a one-time fee like everyone else?
A one-time fee covers the build, then support quietly disappears or gets billed separately. A flat monthly price means we're only doing well if your site keeps working for you.
Is $129/mo actually cheaper than a freelancer?
Often, yes, once you count what most freelancers charge per hour for changes after launch — those add up fast.
What if I've already paid someone else a lot for my site?
We can take it over. Send us your URL and we'll show you what a rebuild would look like, no obligation.
Why do prices vary so much between agencies?
Mostly overhead, and who's actually doing the work — a big agency with account managers and a sales team costs more than a small, direct team like ours.