Cost follows scope and ownership
A simple static site, WordPress site, ecommerce store and custom web app are different products. Ask for deliverables, hosting, admin panel, revisions, SEO basics, performance and handover terms.
Situations this page is built for
- You need a new business website.
- Your current site looks outdated or slow.
- You want SEO-ready service pages.
- You need ecommerce, bookings, forms or payment integration.
- You want to compare freelancer vs agency pricing.
Documents and details usually required
- Business logo, brand colors and domain details.
- Page list and content outline.
- Reference websites you like.
- Photos, product/service details and testimonials.
- Required forms, payment, WhatsApp or CRM integrations.
- Hosting/admin access if redesigning.
Practical process before hiring
Define page scope
List pages, sections, forms, languages and assets before asking for price.
Choose build type
Static, WordPress, Shopify, custom app or no-code depends on business goals.
Check SEO basics
Confirm metadata, schema, sitemap, speed and mobile responsiveness.
Plan maintenance
Clarify bug fixes, content updates, backups and support after launch.
What to expect in India
| Work type | Typical price range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Landing page / one-page site | Rs. 5,000 - Rs. 25,000 | 3-10 days |
| Business website | Rs. 20,000 - Rs. 1,00,000 | 1-4 weeks |
| Ecommerce/custom web app | Rs. 75,000 - Rs. 5,00,000+ | 4-12 weeks |
Prices vary by documents, urgency, city, professional experience and whether previous periods need cleanup.
Common red flags and mistakes
- Comparing quotes without a page list.
- Ignoring mobile and page speed.
- Not asking who owns domain, hosting and source code.
- Skipping SEO basics such as title, description, sitemap and schema.
- Not agreeing maintenance terms.
What to mention when you post
- Your business type, target customers and the main goal of the website.
- Approximate page count, must-have sections and example websites you like.
- Whether you need WordPress, Shopify, custom development or help choosing the stack.
- Required features such as forms, payments, WhatsApp, booking, catalogue, login or admin panel.
- Launch deadline, budget range and whether content/images are ready.
How to choose the right professional
- Ask for live portfolio links, not only screenshots.
- Confirm source-code/admin access ownership after final payment.
- Check whether mobile responsiveness, SEO metadata, analytics and sitemap are included.
- Use milestone-based payments tied to design, development, testing and launch.
- Clarify post-launch bug fixes, content edits and maintenance charges.
Questions people ask before hiring
Why are website quotes so different?
Design quality, content, CMS, custom features, integrations and support change the cost.
Should I choose WordPress or custom development?
WordPress is good for content-heavy business sites. Custom is better for unique workflows and applications.
Does website cost include hosting?
Not always. Ask whether hosting, domain, email and SSL are included.
Can WorkIndex help compare developers?
Yes. Post your scope and compare developer quotes.