Every agency dodges this question. We would rather not.
Price is not arbitrary. It is a function of four variables, and once you know them you can read any quote in about thirty seconds.
1. How many unique page designs
A five-page marketing site and a five-template product site sound identical. They are not. Templates multiply value because they multiply reuse.
2. Who writes the words
Copy is half the cost of a good site and the first thing quietly cut from a cheap quote. If the proposal does not mention copy, you are writing it.
3. What happens after launch
A site that cannot be edited without a developer is a subscription you never agreed to. Insist on a CMS your team can actually operate — we build every project on one for exactly this reason.
4. Whether security is included or invoiced later
An audit after launch costs more than hardening during the build. Ask which one the quote assumes.
The honest ranges
- A focused marketing site: \$3,000–8,000
- A site with a CMS and blog: \$5,000–12,000
- A product or e-commerce build: \$10,000 and up
Anything dramatically below these ranges is a template with your logo on it. Anything above should come with a very good reason — and a good agency will enjoy explaining it.