How much does it cost to build a website with a website builder?

For a DIY website built with a website builder, a reasonable budget is about $15–$30 per month for a basic site—roughly $180–$360 per year. Many plans bundle the builder and hosting; a custom domain may be included for the first year, then renew separately. (godaddy.com)

• Simple personal or small-business site: around $15–$25/month
• Online store: often $29/month or more, plus payment-processing fees and any paid add-ons (shopify.com)
• Free plans: available, but typically have limitations such as platform branding or no custom domain. (wix.com)

So, for a straightforward site you build yourself, plan on roughly $200–$400 for the first year. The exact total depends on billing terms, domain renewal, and extras like email, booking tools, or premium apps. Prices vary by provider and can change, so check the checkout total before subscribing.

Most website builders cost roughly $10 to $30 a month, or about $100 to $400 a year, for a typical site. Your total depends mainly on the plan you pick and whether you buy a custom domain.

• Typical range: One roundup puts the median starting price across eight builders with published paid pricing at $14 a month, with a range of $9.99/mo to $39/mo.
• Annual totals: Cost estimators put yearly plans at $85 to $468 a year in 2026, with Wix at about $102 and Squarespace at about $192 a year at the entry level.
• Budget options: Hostinger's builder can be cheaper still. One review says it is the most affordable choice (from $2.99/mo), but that intro rate comes with a catch (see below).
• Free options: Some builders have free tiers, but they usually show ads or a builder subdomain instead of your own domain. For example, Wix's free plan comes with Wix ads and a subdomain.
• Domain name: Budget for an extra roughly $15 a year. One estimator adds that to each builder's plan fee when calculating the first-year total.
• Renewal prices: Introductory rates can jump. One analysis notes that Hostinger AI Builder starts at $2.99 a month and renews at about $11.99 (Premium), and GoDaddy's renewal rates are not published, with third-party trackers reporting roughly $17 to $23 a month. Check the renewal price before you commit.
• Monthly vs. annual billing: Paying monthly usually costs more. For example, one builder's annual plan is $15 a year, but its monthly plan is $25.
• Ecommerce: Online stores cost more. Shopify's entry plan is around $29 to $39 a month, and some ecommerce plans run several hundred dollars a year.

If you hire a designer or developer to build the site on a builder, expect extra cost. One estimator lists WordPress build costs with a freelancer at $1,500 to $8,000, though that figure is for WordPress rather than a hosted builder.

Prices change often, so check each builder's pricing page before you buy. If you tell me what kind of site you need (portfolio, small business, or online store), I can suggest a likely budget.

Using a website builder typically costs between $0 and $50 per month, depending on the features you need. While "starting" prices often look low, the actual cost for a functional business website usually lands between $20 and $100+ per month once you account for essential upgrades.

Typical Cost Breakdown

It is helpful to think of website builder costs in three categories:

• Entry-Level / Basic Plans ($0 – $15/month): Often include ads on your site, use a branded subdomain (e.g., yourname.wixsite.com), and lack advanced features like e-commerce or custom CSS. These are best for personal projects or testing ideas.
• Standard Business Plans ($20 – $50/month): These are the most common plans for small businesses. They typically remove branding, provide a custom domain, and offer more storage and basic marketing tools.
• E-commerce & Advanced Plans ($30 – $150+/month): Necessary if you plan to sell products, manage memberships, or require high-end features. These plans often come with higher price tags and sometimes include additional transaction fees on sales.

The "Hidden" Costs to Watch For

The advertised monthly price is rarely the total cost. Be sure to budget for these common extras:

• Domain Name: While many builders include a free domain for the first year, renewals typically cost $10–$50 per year.
• Transaction Fees: If you are selling online, some platforms charge an additional 1–3% fee on top of standard payment processing costs.
• Apps, Plugins, and Add-ons: Features like advanced booking systems, specialized contact forms, or premium marketing tools often require paid monthly subscriptions.
• Renewal Price Hikes: Some providers offer heavily discounted introductory rates that jump significantly after the first year. Always check the regular renewal price.
• The "Time Tax": Perhaps the biggest cost is your own time. Building a professional site yourself can take anywhere from 10 to 30+ hours, which may be better spent on other parts of your business.

Summary Table

Recommendation: Before committing to a platform, list the specific features you need (e.g., appointment booking, online store, email marketing) and look for a plan that includes these upfront, rather than adding them later as expensive "extras".

For a typical DIY site, expect about $15–$30 per month for a paid website-builder plan—roughly $180–$360 per year. Many plans include hosting, and some include a custom domain for the first year; domain renewal and add-ons such as business email or premium features may cost extra. ⁵¹⁴

A simple site can cost $0 on a free plan, but it usually comes with the builder’s branding and a non-custom web address. For an online store, budget roughly $29 per month or more for a plan with ecommerce features, plus possible payment-processing fees. ⁵⁶

Prices vary by provider, plan, and billing term, and introductory annual rates may differ from month-to-month pricing. ¹⁵