How Much Does a Website Cost in India in 2026? Complete Pricing Guide

Introduction

"Kitna lagega website banane mein?"

This is the first question every business owner asks. And honestly, it's the hardest one to answer directly. Because saying "it depends" sounds like a cop-out — even though it's true.

Here's the reality: A website in India can cost anywhere from ₹5,000 to ₹50,00,000. That's a massive range. And I know that doesn't help you budget.

So in this guide, I'm going to break down exactly what affects website pricing in 2026, give you realistic cost ranges for different types of websites, and help you understand what you're actually paying for.

No vague answers. Real numbers based on current market rates.

Let's get into it.

Website Cost at a Glance (2026 India Rates)

Before we dive deep, here's a quick overview of what different types of websites cost in India right now:

These are realistic 2026 rates from quality developers and agencies in India. Yes, you'll find cheaper options. You'll also find much more expensive ones. We'll discuss what justifies the difference.

Breaking Down the Cost: What Are You Actually Paying For?

A website isn't a single thing you buy. It's made up of multiple components, each with its own cost. Understanding this helps you make smarter decisions.

1. Domain Name

Your website's address (like yourbusiness.com).

• .com domain — ₹800 - ₹1,200/year
• .in domain — ₹500 - ₹800/year
• .co.in domain — ₹300 - ₹500/year
• Premium domains — ₹10,000 - ₹10,00,000+ (if someone already owns a good name)

This is a recurring yearly cost. Always buy your domain yourself and keep the credentials safe. Never let someone else own your domain.

2. Web Hosting

The server where your website files live. Hosting quality directly affects speed and reliability.

• Shared Hosting — ₹2,000 - ₹5,000/year (basic, slower)
• VPS Hosting — ₹8,000 - ₹25,000/year (better performance)
• Cloud Hosting — ₹12,000 - ₹60,000/year (scalable, reliable)
• Managed WordPress Hosting — ₹10,000 - ₹40,000/year

3. SSL Certificate

The security certificate that shows the padlock icon and enables HTTPS.

• Free SSL (Let's Encrypt) — ₹0 (included with most hosts now)
• Paid SSL (Premium) — ₹2,000 - ₹15,000/year

Good news: Most quality hosting providers include free SSL. You rarely need to pay extra for this anymore.

4. Design & Development

This is where the bulk of your money goes. What you're paying for:

• UI/UX Design — How your website looks and feels
• Frontend Development — Building what users see and interact with
• Backend Development — Server-side logic, databases, functionality
• CMS Setup — Content management system so you can edit content
• Responsive Design — Making it work on mobile and tablets

This is where price variations are huge. A freelancer charges differently than an agency. A template-based site costs less than a custom design.

5. Content

The text, images, and videos on your website. Often overlooked in budgeting.

• Copywriting — ₹1,500 - ₹5,000 per page
• Stock Images — ₹500 - ₹2,000 per image (or use free options)
• Custom Photography — ₹10,000 - ₹50,000 for a shoot
• Video Production — ₹15,000 - ₹2,00,000+ depending on quality

Many businesses underestimate content costs. Great design with bad content still fails.

6. Ongoing Costs

Your website isn't a one-time purchase. It needs maintenance.

• Domain Renewal — ₹800 - ₹1,200/year
• Hosting Renewal — ₹3,000 - ₹25,000/year
• Maintenance & Updates — ₹5,000 - ₹25,000/year
• Security Monitoring — ₹3,000 - ₹15,000/year
• Content Updates — Variable (or DIY)

Cost by Website Type (Detailed Breakdown)

Let's go deeper into each type of website and what you should expect to pay in 2026.

Basic Business Website

Cost Range: ₹15,000 - ₹50,000

This is your standard small business website. Perfect for local businesses, professionals, and service providers who need an online presence.

What's typically included:

• 5-7 pages (Home, About, Services, Contact, etc.)
• Template-based or semi-custom design
• Mobile responsive
• Contact form
• Google Maps integration
• Basic SEO setup
• Social media links

What affects the price:

• Template vs custom design (custom costs more)
• Number of pages
• Freelancer vs agency
• Content provided by you vs written by them

Who should choose this: Local shops, consultants, doctors, lawyers, restaurants, small service businesses.

Professional Business Website

Cost Range: ₹50,000 - ₹1,50,000

A step up from basic. Custom design, more features, and better positioning for competitive markets.

What's typically included:

• 10-15+ pages
• Custom UI/UX design
• CMS (WordPress or similar) for easy editing
• Blog section
• Advanced contact forms
• Lead capture and email integration
• Comprehensive SEO setup
• Performance optimization
• Analytics integration

What affects the price:

• Design complexity
• Custom functionality requirements
• Integration with third-party tools (CRM, email marketing)
• Content creation services

Who should choose this: Growing businesses, B2B companies, professional services firms, companies in competitive markets.

Professional websites justify higher costs with custom design and functionality

E-Commerce Website (Basic)

Cost Range: ₹60,000 - ₹2,00,000

An online store to sell products directly. Uses platforms like WooCommerce or Shopify.

What's typically included:

• Product catalog (up to 100 products)
• Shopping cart and checkout
• Payment gateway integration (Razorpay, PayU, etc.)
• Inventory management
• Order management
• Customer accounts
• Shipping integration
• Tax calculation (GST)
• Mobile responsive design

What affects the price:

• Number of products
• Payment gateway complexity
• Shipping integrations
• Custom design vs themes
• Platform choice (WooCommerce is cheaper, Shopify has monthly fees)

Who should choose this: Small retailers, D2C brands starting out, home businesses, anyone selling under 100 products.

E-Commerce Website (Advanced)

Cost Range: ₹2,00,000 - ₹8,00,000

For serious e-commerce operations with complex requirements.

What's typically included:

• Unlimited products
• Custom checkout flows
• Multiple payment gateways
• Advanced shipping logic (multiple vendors, weight-based, location-based)
• Multi-vendor/marketplace functionality
• Subscription products
• Advanced inventory management
• ERP/CRM integrations
• Custom reporting dashboards
• Performance optimization for high traffic

Who should choose this: Established e-commerce businesses, marketplaces, brands with large catalogs, B2B e-commerce.

Custom Web Application

Cost Range: ₹2,00,000 - ₹50,00,000+

This isn't a website — it's software that runs in a browser. Think SaaS products, customer portals, booking systems, custom dashboards.

What's typically included:

• Custom functionality built from scratch
• User authentication and roles
• Database design and integration
• API development
• Admin panels
• Third-party integrations
• Security implementations
• Scalable architecture

What affects the price:

• Complexity of features
• Number of user types
• Integrations required
• Security requirements
• Expected scale

Who should choose this: Startups building products, businesses needing custom software, companies replacing manual processes with digital systems.

Freelancer vs Agency: What's the Difference?

One of the biggest factors affecting cost is WHO builds your website. Let's compare.

Freelancer

Cost: 30-60% less than agencies

Pros:

• Lower cost
• Direct communication
• Flexibility
• Good for smaller projects

Cons:

• Single point of failure (what if they get sick?)
• Limited skill range (one person can't master everything)
• May lack business understanding
• Availability issues
• Harder to scale

Best for: Basic websites, tight budgets, simple requirements.

Agency

Cost: Premium pricing but comprehensive service

Pros:

• Team of specialists (designer, developer, project manager)
• Reliable delivery
• Broader expertise
• Post-launch support
• Understand business goals

Cons:

• Higher cost
• May feel less personal
• Overkill for simple projects

Best for: Professional websites, e-commerce, custom applications, businesses that value reliability.

Red Flags: When the Price is Too Low

Saw someone offering a "complete website for ₹4,999"? Run.

Here's what happens with ultra-cheap websites:

• Template slapped together — No customization, looks like 10,000 other sites
• No optimization — Slow, doesn't rank on Google
• Security ignored — Gets hacked within months
• No support — They disappear after delivery
• Hidden costs — "That feature is extra" for everything
• You don't own it — They hold your site hostage

Red Flags: When the Price is Too High

The opposite also exists. Some agencies charge premium prices without delivering premium value.

Watch out for:

• Vague proposals — If they can't explain what you're paying for, something's off
• No portfolio — Everyone claims they're great, but where's the proof?
• Locked-in platforms — Some build on proprietary systems you can't leave
• Excessive "strategy" fees — ₹2,00,000 for "research" before any work begins
• Everything is custom — Not everything needs to be built from scratch

A ₹5,00,000 website should look and perform like a ₹5,00,000 website. Ask for examples of sites at similar price points.

How to Budget for Your Website

Here's my practical advice for budgeting:

Step 1: Define Your Goals

What do you need this website to do?

• Just an online presence? Basic website.
• Generate leads? Professional website with conversion optimization.
• Sell products? E-commerce.
• Provide a service/tool? Custom web application.

Step 2: Calculate Total Budget

Don't just budget for development. Include:

• Development cost
• Content creation (copywriting, photography)
• First year of hosting and domain
• Post-launch marketing
• Maintenance budget

If your development budget is ₹1,00,000, plan for at least ₹1,25,000-1,50,000 total in year one.

Step 3: Get Multiple Quotes

Talk to 3-5 freelancers/agencies. Compare:

• What's included in the price
• Timeline
• Post-launch support
• Their understanding of your business

Don't auto-select the cheapest. Look for best value.

What's Changed in 2026?

Website costs have shifted compared to previous years. Here's what's different now:

AI tools have reduced some costs. Design tools like Figma AI, coding assistants, and AI content generators mean faster delivery. Some developers pass these savings to clients.

But AI also adds new costs. Want a chatbot? AI personalization? Automated content? These features are in demand and cost extra.

Quality expectations are higher. Users expect fast, beautiful, mobile-perfect sites. What was "good" in 2020 is "basic" now. Meeting current standards takes more effort.

Security is non-negotiable. With increasing cyber threats, proper security setup (not just SSL) costs more but is essential.

Performance matters more. Google's Core Web Vitals affect rankings. Optimized sites require more development effort than slapping together templates.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring

Use this checklist when evaluating developers/agencies:

• Can I see websites you've built at my budget level?
• What's included and what's extra?
• Who owns the website files and code?
• What's the timeline?
• How do revisions work?
• What happens after launch? Is support included?
• What platform/technology will you use and why?
• How will the website be optimized for Google?
• Can I edit content myself after launch?
• What do you need from me to start?

Good developers answer these clearly. Vague answers are a warning sign.

Conclusion

There's no single answer to "how much does a website cost?" It depends on what you need, who builds it, and how well it needs to perform.

But now you have realistic numbers to work with. You know what affects pricing and what questions to ask.

My honest advice: invest in quality. Your website is often the first impression customers have of your business. A cheap, slow, ugly website costs you customers every day — that hidden cost is far greater than what you "saved" on development.

Get clear on your requirements, talk to multiple developers, and choose someone who understands your business — not just someone who can write code.

Want a clear quote for your website project? At Arcenik Technologies, we provide transparent pricing with detailed breakdowns — no surprises. Tell us what you need, and we'll give you honest numbers.

Get a free quote — takes 24 hours, includes exactly what you're paying for.