- Price is driven by scope, not by how many pages you can cram in.
- Ultra-cheap sites (₹2,000–₹5,000) usually cost more later — no SEO, no support.
- Budget for ongoing costs: domain, hosting, and optional maintenance.
- Ask "will it bring customers?" — ROI matters more than the sticker price.
If you've asked three different developers what a website costs, you've probably got three wildly different numbers — from ₹3,000 to ₹3,00,000. Both can be "correct," because they're quoting completely different things. After 18+ years building websites for clients in India and abroad, here's an honest, no-nonsense breakdown so you can budget with confidence.
Website cost in India: 2026 price ranges
| Type of website | Typical cost (2026) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Starter / landing site (1–5 pages) | ₹8,000 – ₹30,000 | Small businesses, professionals, local services |
| Business / CMS site (blog, more pages) | ₹30,000 – ₹1,00,000 | Growing businesses that publish content |
| eCommerce store | ₹75,000 – ₹3,00,000+ | Selling products online (Shopify/WooCommerce) |
| Custom web app | ₹1,50,000+ | Bespoke tools, portals, SaaS |
Ranges are indicative for 2026 and vary by developer experience, features, and timeline.
What actually drives the price?
- Design — a custom, on-brand design costs more than a ready template, but builds far more trust.
- Number & complexity of pages — a booking flow or portal costs more than a static page.
- Functionality — payments, logins, multi-language, integrations all add work.
- SEO & performance — a site engineered to rank and load fast is worth more than one that just exists.
- Content — copywriting, photos, and product data take time (yours or the developer's).
- Support & ownership — do you own the code and get help after launch, or are you locked in?
Why are some quotes so cheap (and why it matters)
A ₹3,000 website is usually a generic template with no SEO, no speed optimisation, no analytics, and no support — and sometimes you don't even own it. It looks fine on day one and then quietly fails to bring a single enquiry. I've rebuilt many of these, and the "cheap" route almost always ends up costing more. The goal isn't the lowest price; it's the best return on what you spend.
Don't forget ongoing costs
- Domain: ₹800 – ₹1,500 / year
- Hosting: ₹0 on static hosting (like GitHub Pages) up to ₹3,000 – ₹8,000 / year for managed hosting
- Maintenance / updates: optional, ₹1,000 – ₹5,000 / month if you want it handled
- SEO / marketing: optional but often the best ROI once the site is live
So, what should you actually budget?
For most small businesses in Kolkata and across India, a ₹20,000–₹40,000 budget gets a fast, professional, SEO-ready website that can genuinely bring in customers. Spend less only if you truly need something minimal; spend more when you're selling online or need custom features. If you want a straight, honest quote for your specific needs, I offer a free 15-minute call — or a free audit of your current site.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a basic website cost in India in 2026?
Between ₹8,000 and ₹30,000 for a professional small-business site, depending on pages, design, and whether SEO and lead capture are included.
Why are some website quotes so cheap?
Very cheap quotes usually mean a template with no SEO, no optimisation, and no support — and often no ownership of the code. They rarely generate leads.
Does a website have ongoing costs?
Yes — plan for domain and hosting, plus optional maintenance or SEO.
Is a cheaper website worth it?
Ask "will it bring customers?", not "how cheap is it?". A site that generates leads is far better value than a cheap one nobody finds.
Written by Anupam Mondal — a Kolkata-based full-stack developer & SEO specialist with 18+ years' experience helping businesses turn websites into lead engines. More about me →