If you're a small business owner in Bergen County looking for a custom website, you've probably noticed pricing all over the map. One studio quotes $1,500. Another says $15,000. What gives?
Let's cut through the noise. Here's what custom website design actually costs in 2025—and more importantly, what you're really paying for.
TL;DR: Pricing Snapshot
- Starter websites (1-3 pages): $2,500–$3,500
- Professional websites (4-6 pages): $5,000–$6,500
- Custom builds (8+ pages, advanced features): $7,500–$15,000+
- Ongoing care plans: $250–$650/month
These are typical ranges for high-quality, custom-built sites in Northern New Jersey and the NYC metro area. Template-based sites (like Squarespace or Wix setups done by freelancers) run $500–$2,000, but they come with trade-offs we'll cover below.
What Drives Website Costs?
Not all websites are created equal. Here's what separates a $2,500 site from a $10,000 one:
1. Scope (Number of Pages & Features)
- Starter sites: 1-3 pages (Home, About, Contact)
- Professional sites: 4-6 pages (plus blog, services, portfolio)
- Custom builds: 8+ pages with custom features (e-commerce, integrations, dashboards)
2. Design Complexity
- Basic: Clean layouts using proven templates
- Advanced: Custom UI, motion design, brand-specific components
- Fully Custom: Bespoke design systems, illustration, interactive experiences
3. Technology & Performance
Template platforms (Squarespace, Wix, WordPress with page builders):
- Pros: Quick to launch, inexpensive upfront
- Cons: Slower load times, harder to customize, higher long-term costs
Custom code (Next.js, React, modern frameworks):
- Pros: Lightning-fast performance, total control, scales with your business
- Cons: Higher upfront cost, requires a developer (not drag-and-drop)
4. Integrations & Functionality
Need your site to talk to other tools?
- Email marketing (Mailchimp, ConvertKit)
- CRM systems (HubSpot, Salesforce)
- Scheduling tools (Calendly, Acuity)
- Payment processors (Stripe, Square)
- Analytics & tracking (Google Analytics, Meta Pixel)
Each integration adds development time—and cost. Budget $500–$2,000 per integration depending on complexity.
5. SEO & Content
- Basic on-page SEO: Included in most packages (meta tags, alt text, sitemaps)
- Enhanced SEO: Keyword research, schema markup, performance optimization ($1,000–$2,500)
- Content writing: $150–$300 per page if you need copywriting help
Typical Packages (What You Get at Each Price Point)
Starter Website: $2,500–$3,500
Perfect for: Solo consultants, service providers, and small businesses who need a clean, professional online presence.
What's included:
- 1-3 pages (Home, About, Contact)
- Mobile-responsive design
- Contact form with email notifications
- Basic on-page SEO
- Google Analytics setup
- 1 round of revisions
- 2.5-4 week timeline
What's NOT included: Blog, e-commerce, advanced animations, integrations.
Professional Website: $5,000–$6,500 (Most Popular)
Perfect for: Growing businesses, creative studios, and service providers who want a polished, conversion-focused site.
What's included:
- 4-6 pages (Home, Services, About, Work/Portfolio, Blog, Contact)
- Custom component library
- Advanced SEO (schema markup, performance optimization)
- Blog with CMS (easy to update)
- Newsletter signup integration
- 2 rounds of revisions
- 4-6 week timeline
What's NOT included: E-commerce, member portals, complex custom features.
Custom Build: $7,500–$15,000+
Perfect for: Businesses with unique needs, e-commerce brands, SaaS products, and high-growth companies.
What's included:
- 8+ pages with custom layouts
- Fully custom design system
- E-commerce or advanced functionality
- API integrations (CRM, payments, scheduling)
- Comprehensive SEO strategy
- Ongoing revisions during build
- 5-7+ week timeline (varies by scope)
Ongoing Costs: Care Plans & Maintenance
A website isn't a one-and-done expense. Just like a car, it needs regular maintenance to stay secure, fast, and up-to-date.
Typical care plan pricing:
- Essentials ($250/month): Security updates, uptime monitoring, monthly backups, light edits
- Growth ($450/month): Everything in Essentials + content updates, analytics reports, performance optimization
- Premium ($650/month): Everything in Growth + unlimited small updates, proactive improvements, priority support
Pro tip: If you're not ready for a care plan, budget $500–$1,000/year for ad-hoc updates and security patches.
Hidden Costs to Watch For
Beyond the website build, expect these recurring expenses:
- Domain name: $15–$50/year (e.g., yourbusiness.com)
- Hosting: $10–$100/month depending on traffic and tech
- Email marketing tools: $0–$100/month (Mailchimp, ConvertKit)
- Stock photos/assets: $0–$500 (if you don't have your own)
- SSL certificate: Usually free with modern hosting
Template vs. Custom: What's the Real Difference?
Templates (Squarespace, Wix, WordPress themes): Great for getting started fast. Low upfront cost. But:
- Slower load times (impacts SEO and user experience)
- Limited customization (you're stuck with the template's structure)
- Higher long-term costs (monthly platform fees, plugin subscriptions)
- Harder to scale (adding features later is clunky or impossible)
Custom builds (Next.js, React, Gatsby): Higher upfront cost, but:
- Blazing-fast performance (better SEO, happier users)
- Total design flexibility (the site does exactly what you need)
- Lower long-term costs (no recurring platform fees)
- Scales with your business (easy to add features as you grow)
Think of it like renting vs. buying. Templates are renting—you pay less upfront but never own it. Custom builds are buying—higher initial investment, but it's yours.
How to Budget for a Custom Website
Here's a simple framework:
- Starter budget ($2,500–$3,500): You need a simple online presence ASAP. You're okay with limited pages and basic features.
- Professional budget ($5,000–$6,500): You want a polished, conversion-focused site with SEO, a blog, and integrations. This is the sweet spot for most small businesses.
- Custom budget ($7,500–$15,000+): You need advanced features (e-commerce, custom tools, integrations) or you're in a competitive industry where design is a differentiator.
Pro tip: If you're between tiers, start with a Professional package and plan for phase 2 features (like e-commerce or member portals) down the road. It's easier to build on a solid foundation than to rebuild a rushed site later.
What About DIY?
If you're comfortable with drag-and-drop builders and have the time, DIY platforms like Squarespace or Wix can work for simple sites.
But be honest with yourself:
- Do you have 20-40 hours to learn the platform and build the site?
- Are you confident writing SEO-friendly copy and setting up analytics?
- Will you maintain the site yourself (updates, backups, security)?
For most business owners, time is money. If spending 30 hours on your website means not doing $5,000 worth of billable work, hiring a pro is the smarter investment.
Red Flags (How to Spot a Bad Deal)
- Suspiciously low pricing: If someone offers a 'custom' site for $500, it's either a template or they're cutting corners.
- No clear timeline: Professional studios provide realistic timelines upfront.
- No contract or scope document: This leads to scope creep and surprise costs.
- Ownership issues: Make sure you own the final site, domain, and hosting. Some cheap providers lock you in.
- No post-launch support: A good studio offers at least 30 days of post-launch tweaks.
Final Thoughts: What Should You Expect to Pay?
For a professionally designed, custom-built website in Bergen County:
- Simple site (1-3 pages): $2,500–$3,500
- Professional site (4-6 pages): $5,000–$6,500
- Custom build (8+ pages, advanced features): $7,500–$15,000+
- Care plans: $250–$650/month
Your website is often the first impression potential customers have of your business. Invest wisely, and it'll pay dividends for years.
Need help figuring out which tier is right for you? Book a free 15-minute consultation at https://calendar.app.google/vSneyr2TZtLJubmt6 and I'll walk you through your options—no pressure, just clarity.