How Much Does a Website Cost in 2026?
The short answer: a custom business website costs $5,000 to $15,000. A template site costs $1,000 to $3,000. Here is what each price actually buys, with real numbers from our pricing page.
Reality Shifting Tech builds custom websites starting at $5,149, and runs the ongoing design, development, and support on a flat-fee retainer of $7,199 per month. One price, no hourly billing, unlimited revisions.
Price by project type
Template or DIY builderLimits design, speed, and growth. You maintain it yourself.
$15–$40/mo
Freelancer, basic siteOne person, one build. Support and revisions are extra.
$1,500–$3,000
Custom 5-page business site (RST)Strategy, custom design, build, CMS, hosting, search readiness.
from $5,149
Custom site + development add-onAdds advanced functionality beyond a standard build.
$7,948
E-commerce or extra pagesPer extra page or online-store capability.
+$800 each
Flat-fee retainer (RST)Website, apps, AI, social, and support. Unlimited revisions, updates every 48 hours.
$7,199/mo
Complex web app or portalCustom portals, dashboards, and product engineering.
$10,000–$25,000+
What your money pays for
- Strategy. Wireframe and layout built around your conversion path.
- Custom design. Responsive on desktop, tablet, and mobile. No template look.
- Development. Fast, secure code with a CMS your team can edit.
- Search readiness. Clean structure, fast load times, and SEO-ready copy.
- Hosting and security. Included, with backups and monitoring.
- Ongoing support. The retainer keeps the site updated, secure, and improving.
Why the flat fee wins
- No hourly billing. You never watch a meter. Revisions are unlimited.
- Updates every 48 hours. During the build and after launch.
- One team. The same people who build your site run your apps, AI, and social media.
- No surprise invoices. The price you approve is the price you pay.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to get a website?
Do-it-yourself builders cost $15 to $40 per month. They work for a basic one-page presence, but they limit design, speed, and growth. A custom site costs more up front and earns that back in conversions and credibility.
Why is custom design more expensive than a template?
A template is a pre-built page you fill in. A custom build starts from your business goals: layout, copy, structure, and code are made for your customers. It converts better and does not look like every other site in your industry.
Do I own my website?
Yes. The design, code, and content are yours when the project completes. There is no lock-in, and you can move hosts or teams at any time.
Is hosting included?
Yes. Hosting, security, and backups are part of the flat fee. You never manage servers or scramble when something breaks.
What does the monthly retainer cover?
The retainer covers ongoing design, development, updates, security, and support. You get unlimited revisions and updates every 48 hours. Your site stays current instead of aging.
How fast will I see my website?
Most custom sites launch in two to six weeks. You see progress updates every 48 hours during the build.
Get an exact price for your project
Send us your goals. You get a scope and a fixed price within 48 hours, no obligation.
Get my price