It's the first question almost every business owner asks, and the honest answer is: it depends. Not because agencies want to be vague, but because "a website" can mean a single well-crafted landing page or a 200-product online store with custom features. Those are wildly different amounts of work.
Rather than quote a number that turns out to be meaningless, it helps to understand what actually drives the cost — so you can judge any quote you receive.
What actually affects the price
A few things move the needle far more than anything else:
- Number of pages and features. A five-page brochure site is quick; booking systems, logins, or ecommerce add real work.
- Custom design vs template. A bespoke design costs more than a theme, but it looks like your brand and performs better.
- Content. If you need copywriting, photography, or product data entry, that's time too.
- SEO and performance. Building a fast, properly optimised site takes more care than a quick page-builder job — and it's usually worth it.
Cheap websites often cost more later
A ₹5,000 template site sounds like a bargain until it loads slowly, breaks on phones, and never ranks — so it brings in no customers. The real cost of a website isn't just what you pay to build it; it's whether it earns its keep. A slightly higher upfront investment in something fast and well-built usually pays back many times over in enquiries.
How to get an honest price
The best way to a real figure is a short conversation about what you actually need. A good agency will ask about your goals, your customers, and the features you require, then give you a fixed proposal with no surprises. Be wary of anyone who quotes a big number before understanding your business, or a suspiciously tiny one that hides costs later.