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cthroo. Websites & apps, Sydney

Guide /2026 pricing

How much does a website cost in Sydney?

By the Cthroo team · Updated · 7 min read

The short answer

Most Sydney small businesses pay $2,000 to $7,000 for a professionally built website in 2026. A template or freelancer site can start around $1,000, fully custom builds run $6,000 to $30,000, and online stores usually start around $8,000. On top of the build, budget roughly 15–25% of the build cost each year for hosting, updates and small changes.

Ranges compiled from 2026 price guides published by Sydney agencies, studios and freelancers. All prices in Australian dollars.

Website costs in Sydney at a glance

Prices vary with who builds the site and how much it has to do. These are the typical ranges for a small or growing business in 2026.

Typical website costs in Sydney in 2026
Option Upfront Ongoing Good for
DIY builder (Wix, Squarespace and similar) Low, plus many hours of your time A monthly plan for as long as the site is live Testing an idea on a tight budget
Template or freelancer site $1,000 – $6,000 Hosting and ad-hoc fixes Simple brochure sites
Small studio, custom design $2,000 – $7,000 Optional care plan Most small businesses
Fully custom or agency build $6,000 – $30,000 Often a monthly retainer Larger firms and complex sites
Online store $8,000 – $25,000+ Higher: payments, stock and apps Selling products online

What changes the price

Two quotes for “a website” can be thousands of dollars apart. These are the reasons.

  1. How many pages

    Every page needs design, writing and testing. A five-page site and a thirty-page site are different jobs.

  2. Custom design or a template

    Templates cost less upfront but look like everyone else’s and are often slower. Custom design is built around your brand and your customers.

  3. Who writes the words and takes the photos

    Content is the most underestimated job. Bringing your own saves money; professional copy and photos usually sell better.

  4. Features

    Bookings, quote forms, payments, member logins and links to your CRM or accounting software each add time to build and test.

  5. Selling online

    Products, variants, shipping rules, payments and stock management are the biggest single jump in cost.

  6. Moving an existing site

    Migrating content and redirecting old pages protects the Google rankings you already have. Skip it and traffic can drop overnight.

  7. Who actually builds it

    A senior local developer costs more per hour than an offshore team, but usually needs fewer hours and brings fewer surprises.

Costs people forget

The build is the big number, but it isn’t the only one.

Domain name
A .com.au usually costs somewhere between $10 and $50 a year, depending on the registrar.
Hosting
Often bundled into a care plan. A small business site rarely needs expensive hosting; online stores and apps need more.
Business email
Usually billed per person, per month through Google Workspace or Microsoft 365.
Care and updates
Plan for roughly 15–25% of the build cost each year for security updates, backups and small changes.
Words and photos
If copywriting and photography aren’t in the quote, budget for them separately.
Changes after launch
Ask how changes are priced before you sign, not after.

Costs by type of business

What a website needs to do depends on how your customers buy. Here is what each kind of business usually needs, which of our packages fits, and a working demo you can click through.

How to compare website quotes

Ask every web designer these seven questions. The answers matter more than the headline price.

  1. Is the price fixed and in writing?

    A fixed quote protects you from “variations” halfway through.

  2. Who actually designs and builds it?

    Ask whether the work is done by the person you’re talking to or passed on.

  3. Will I own the code, domain and accounts?

    Some sites are licensed, not owned. Leave and you start again.

  4. Is there a monthly fee, and what if I stop paying?

    Care plans are fine. Losing your site when you cancel is not.

  5. How fast will it load?

    Ask for Google PageSpeed or Lighthouse scores from sites they’ve already built.

  6. What’s included for Google?

    Speed, mobile layout, page titles, structured data and redirects should be in the build, not extras.

  7. Can I see a concept before I commit?

    Seeing the direction first is the cheapest way to avoid an expensive mistake.

What Cthroo charges

We’re a Sydney web design and development studio, and we publish our prices. Every project gets a free concept first and a fixed quote in writing. Prices exclude GST.

  • Starter website

    From $1,990

    For new businesses and trades that need a sharp, credible site, fast.

    Live in about 2 weeks

  • Business website

    From $4,500

    For established businesses that need to be found, trusted and chosen.

    Live in 3 – 5 weeks

  • Online store

    From $6,900

    For selling products online, with stock and shipping handled.

    Live in 4 – 6 weeks

  • Startup product

    Let’s talk

    For founders turning an idea into a web app, SaaS or marketplace. Scoped with you in a free idea session.

    Priced per project

See everything included in each package →

Questions

Is a cheap $500 website worth it?

It can be, if you only need a simple online business card and you’re comfortable with a template. The trade-offs usually show up later: slow pages, generic design, limited SEO and a platform you can’t leave. If your website needs to bring in enquiries, budget for a professional build.

Is Wix or Squarespace cheaper than hiring a web designer?

Upfront, yes. Over a few years the monthly plan, paid add-ons and your own time add up, and you never own the site outright. A builder suits testing an idea; a custom site suits a business that relies on its website for customers.

How long does it take to build a website in Sydney?

A small business website usually takes two to six weeks. Online stores and custom features take longer. The biggest delay is usually content, so having your words and photos ready speeds things up.

Do I have to pay monthly for a website?

You will always pay something for a domain and hosting. Beyond that, a care plan is optional. Be wary of contracts where you lose the site if you stop paying.

Does a cheaper website hurt my Google rankings?

The price itself doesn’t, but what cheap sites often skip does: speed, mobile usability, clean structure and local SEO. Those are what Google rewards, so ask what’s included in every quote.

Want an exact price for your website?

Tell us about your business. We’ll send a free concept and a fixed quote, with no obligation.

Get my free concept