Web Design Cost Guide: How Much Should You Budget for a New Website?

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Web Design Cost Guide: How Much Should You Budget for a New Website?

You want a new website. You’ve got a business, a brand, a product, or even just an idea you want to take digital. But something might still stop you. For most people in Singapore, the biggest question is simple: how much is it going to cost?

If you’ve already started Googling around, you’ve seen it. Some freelancers quote under a thousand, some agencies ask for five figures. You hear about packages, you hear about per-page pricing, you hear about retainers, and at some point, it all gets blurry. That’s where this guide comes in.

We’re breaking it all down, plain and honest. You’ll get a better idea of what web design costs, what factors affect it, and how to plan your budget when hiring a web designer.

Why Web Design Pricing Seems All Over the Place

A web designer in Singapore planning a website layout on a PC

The truth is, website pricing isn’t random. It’s just layered. Some people are charging for time. Some charge for value. Others bundle in hosting, design, SEO, updates, and others leave all that out.

You can’t compare $800 to $8000 without asking what’s being delivered. The features, the hours, the support, that’s where the real price lives.

So let’s unpack that.

What Kind of Website Are You Building?

Before you even ask how much, ask yourself what you need.

  • Is it a simple homepage and a few service pages?
  • Do you need a blog, gallery, or contact form?
  • Are you selling products online?
  • Do you want a custom design or just a template setup?
  • Do you plan to update the site yourself or call someone every time?

These are the things that shape your quote. The more complex your needs, the higher the investment.

Common Website Types and Price Ranges in Singapore

Let’s look at typical setups and what people generally pay for them:

1. Basic 3–5 Page Site

Great for startups, personal projects, or landing pages. Usually includes a homepage, about page, contact page, maybe a services or FAQ page.

Budget Range: SGD 1,500 – SGD 3,500

2. SME Business Website

Designed for service providers or growing brands. Custom layout, CMS integration, basic on-page SEO, and mobile responsiveness.

Budget Range: SGD 3,000 – SGD 6,000

3. Corporate or Multi-language Site

Larger structure. More pages, team bios, resources, press releases, and different language versions. Advanced UI and back-end needs.

Budget Range: SGD 6,000 – SGD 12,000+

4. E-Commerce Website

With product pages, cart system, checkout flow, order emails, and payment gateways. Could be Shopify, WooCommerce, or custom platforms.

Budget Range: SGD 8,000 – SGD 25,000

These are starting ranges. Real pricing depends on who you hire, how much design is custom, and whether content or SEO is included.

What Affects Web Design Cost?

hand-drawn website design wireframes and user flow diagrams

  1. Number of pages – More pages, more work
  2. Design style – Custom graphics, motion, and branding raise the cost
  3. Functionality – Booking forms, stores, blogs, multi-language options add dev hours
  4. Platform – WordPress usually costs less than full custom builds
  5. Content – If you need help with copywriting or images, that gets added in
  6. Timeline – Rush projects cost more
  7. Support – Some charge for ongoing updates, others bundle it

One-Time Cost vs Ongoing Cost

Most people focus on the build cost, but running a website also comes with long-term costs.

Here’s what you might be paying yearly:

  • Hosting and Domain Name: SGD 150 to 500 per year
  • Maintenance Plans: SGD 300 to 1,200 a year
  • CMS/Software Updates: Depends, but worth budgeting for
  • SSL, Firewall, Security Tools: Some hosts include this, others charge extra
  • Content Edits or Add-ons: Could be per task or on retainer

When budgeting, don’t just think about what it takes to launch. Think about keeping it alive.

Freelancer vs Agency vs DIY

You have three main ways to build your site. Each with pros, cons, and price tags.

  1. Freelancer:Affordable, direct communication, good for small projects. But support may be limited if they disappear or get too busy.

    Price Range: SGD 800 to SGD 3,500

  2. Agency (like iClickMedia):You get a full team design, dev, support, SEO, and strategy. Great for businesses that want more than just a pretty homepage.

    Price Range: SGD 3,500 to SGD 15,000+, depending on project size

  3. DIY Builders (Wix, Squarespace, etc):Cheapest upfront. You control everything. But takes time and often lacks the polish or SEO setup of pro work.

    Ongoing Fees: SGD 200 to SGD 500 per year for builder subscriptions

If you’re running a brand or company and want trust, search presence, and a pro image, working with a trusted Singapore Web Designer makes the most sense long term.

What You Get When You Pay More

When you go beyond basic setups, you’re paying not just for design but for planning, testing, support, and real results.

That might include:

  • Keyword research and on-page SEO
  • Content strategy helps
  • Conversion-optimised layouts
  • Mobile and browser testing
  • CMS training so you can edit content
  • Analytics setup
  • Support after launch

If your site is part of how you make money, then a strong site is an investment. Not an expense.

Basic Features You Should Always Get

A Web designer selecting color swatches while creating a mobile website user interface mockup

  • Mobile-friendly layout
  • Clean navigation
  • SEO-ready structure
  • Contact form
  • Speed optimisation
  • SSL and HTTPS security
  • CMS access to update pages
  • Analytics setup (like Google Analytics)

If you’re paying a professional, these shouldn’t be extras. They’re standard.

Timeline and Delivery Phases

Every proper web project should follow a few key steps. If someone says they’ll finish in two days, that’s a red flag.

Here’s the real process:

  1. Consultation – Understanding your business, goals, and users
  2. Site Map and Wireframes – Outlining the structure
  3. Design Phase – Creating visuals, approving layouts
  4. Development – Turning it into a working website
  5. Content Integration – Adding text, images, and videos
  6. Testing – Making sure it works on all browsers and devices
  7. Launch – Going live after full check
  8. Support – Fixes, updates, and handover training

A good agency or designer will walk you through these phases. Rushing skips steps, and skipping steps usually means regrets later.

Budgeting Smart: Tips That Help

  1. Know your must-haves vs nice-to-haves
    Start with what’s essential to launch. Add later as the budget grows.
  2. Avoid unclear packages
    Make sure you get a list of what’s included and what isn’t.
  3. Don’t overbuy features
    If you don’t need e-commerce, don’t pay for it.
  4. Plan for growth
    Choose platforms or designers who can scale with your business.
  5. Invest in content
    Good words and images sell. No matter how sleek the design is.

Why Us?

If you’re searching for a Singapore Web Designer, we are one of those companies that mix affordability with professionalism. We’ve worked with brands across industries, helping them build websites that don’t just sit pretty but convert.

We offer:

  • Fixed pricing, no hidden upsells
  • SEO-first designs
  • Mobile and speed-optimised builds
  • Content guidance
  • Clear timelines, real support
  • Room to grow blogs, stores, booking tools, CRM setups, all possible

Whether you’re just starting or rebranding, our team walks with you from first call to post-launch updates.

Best Choice: Making the Right Investment in Your Website

You don’t need a $20k website to make your business look sharp. But you do need to know what you’re paying for and what you’re getting in return. Website pricing is like any service; you can go cheap, but smart planning and the right partner will save you far more in the long run.

Set a budget, outline your goals, then work with someone who gets both. A good web design is more than layout, it’s your voice, your brand, your shop window online.

If you’re looking to get started without getting burned, speak to iClickMedia. We’ll give you honest pricing, clear steps, and a site that pulls its weight.