With the rapid growth of the digital world, many businesses that were previously untouched by digital technology are now migrating online. Creating a website is often the first step in this migration, as it’s a proven way to reach new customers.

However, many business owners who are new to the digital space are often confused by the prices offered by developers or web development agencies.

This confusion lead to the inevitable question:

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Website?

This question can be sensitive for developers because it asks for a “to the point” price without first explaining the requirements or scope of the website.

I’ll try to answer that question here. Most of my colleagues are developers and software engineers—and no, I don’t mean construction developers! (A common misconception among laypeople :D).

In my experience, website creation generally falls into two categories, which determine the price:

1. Using Tools (CMS)

The most common “tool” is WordPress, though others like Wix or Blogger exist. I’ll focus on WordPress here.

Building a WordPress site always involves Domain and Hosting. These sites can be built using free or paid templates, which makes the process faster.

What is a Domain?

A domain is a unique name used to identify a computer server so it’s easier to remember than an IP address. Examples include .com, .co.id, .id, .xyz, .store, .online, .io, etc.

Read Also: Tutorial on Buying a Domain at Exabytes

What is Hosting?

Web hosting is a space where the files and data for your website are stored and accessed via the internet. This includes videos, images, emails, scripts, and databases.

To estimate the cost, you must first calculate the domain and hosting fees, then add the developer’s service fee.

Example Calculation:

• Domain (.com): ~Rp. 125,000 / year
• Hosting: ~Rp. 147,000 / month
• Total for 1 Year (Hosting + Domain): ~Rp. 1,889,000

Note: These prices exclude promo rates from providers.

This calculation gives you a baseline for about half the cost of a basic WordPress site.

Other Factors

• Duration: How fast do you need it? If you need it done in a few days versus a few weeks, expect to pay more for the developer’s prioritized focus.
• Features: Complex feature requests will naturally increase the price. Be as detailed as possible when describing features. Avoid vague phrases like “just add this,” or “it’s just a small change,” because what seems simple to a layperson can be complex for a developer.
• Limitations: While WordPress is powerful, it has limits. For highly complex custom marketplaces or social networks, you likely need a custom-coded solution (e.g., in PHP).

2. Custom Coding (Hand-Coded)

Websites built from scratch using languages like PHP, JavaScript, etc., can cost anywhere from millions to billions of rupiah. This depends on complexity, security requirements, and server costs (which alone can reach tens of millions per month for large-scale sites).

Standard custom sites might range from Rp. 5 million to Rp. 10 million. High-end sites with advanced security and complex architectures can range from Rp. 20 million to Rp. 300 million.

So, what is the final price?

• Basic WordPress (Free Template): ~Rp. 1,000,000 / year (Baseline hosting + domain).
• WordPress with Professional Service: ~Rp. 3 - 4 million (Excluding server and SEO optimization). Prices can vary by location, such as web services in Lombok.
• Custom/Complex Solutions: Rp. 20 million to hundreds of millions.

The choice is yours. Once you understand these price points and the skills required, you can make an informed decision or even start your own web development business. Open your mind to the opportunities!