Website Cost Calculator
Estimate the complete first-year and ongoing lifespan cost of launching a website across design, custom development, domain registration, web hosting, security, and maintenance.
Calculated Website & Hosting Breakdown
Website Total Cost of Ownership Formula
First Year Cost = Initial Design & Dev + Domain + (Monthly Hosting * 12) + SSL/Security + Plugins + (Monthly Maintenance * 12)- Initial Design & Dev: One-time setup, coding, and UI/UX design ($500 DIY, $3,500 freelancer, $15,000+ agency).
- Domain Registration: Annual top-level domain renewal ($12 to $25/year).
- Hosting: Annual server infrastructure fee ($60 to $600+/year).
- Maintenance: Ongoing developer updates, security audits, and backups.
Step-by-Step Worked Example
Calculation Steps:
- Initial One-Time Outlay: $3,500.00
- Annual Recurring Infrastructure: $15 + $300 + $50 + $150 = $515.00
- Annual Maintenance: $100 * 12 = $1,200.00
- Total Ongoing Annual: $515 + $1,200 = $1,715.00/year
- First Year Total Investment: $3,500 + $1,715 = $5,215.00
How to Use This Calculator
- 1Select your build methodology (DIY website builder, freelance specialist, or digital agency).
- 2Enter the one-time upfront design and development cost.
- 3Specify annual domain, hosting, and software plugin renewal rates.
- 4Include monthly retainer maintenance fees to view your comprehensive first-year budget.
Assumptions & Limitations
- Domain renewal rates remain constant without premium registry price increases.
- Maintenance covers core updates, bug fixes, and periodic backups.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a simple business website cost in 2026?
A DIY website using Squarespace or Wix typically costs $200 to $400 per year. A custom WordPress or modern Astro site built by a freelance developer costs $2,500 to $6,000, while established agencies charge $10,000 to $30,000+.
What is the largest recurring cost of maintaining a website?
Developer maintenance and content updates represent the largest ongoing expense (typically $75 to $250/month), significantly exceeding domain and hosting infrastructure fees.
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