Quick answerIn 2026 a simple business website in India typically costs ₹10,000–₹50,000 to build, an online store ₹40,000–₹2,00,000, and a custom web application ₹2,00,000 and up. On top of that you pay every year for the domain (roughly ₹700–₹1,500), hosting (₹2,000–₹30,000 depending on the setup) and, if you want it, maintenance. Scope, design, content and who builds it explain most of the difference between quotes.
Ask five people what a website costs and you’ll hear five different numbers, because “a website” can mean a one-page profile or a full online store. This guide breaks the price into the parts you actually pay for, so you can compare quotes properly.
The ranges below are typical of what businesses in India are quoted in 2026. Prices vary by city, provider and how much is included, so treat them as a guide rather than a rate card.
Typical prices by type of website
| Type of website | Typical build cost | Typical timeline | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic business website (5–8 pages) | ₹10,000–₹50,000 | 1–3 weeks | Clinics, shops, consultants, local services |
| Custom-designed business website | ₹50,000–₹1,50,000 | 3–6 weeks | Brands that compete on trust and design |
| Online store (Shopify or WooCommerce) | ₹40,000–₹2,00,000 | 3–8 weeks | Selling products online with payments and shipping |
| Custom web app or portal | ₹2,00,000 and up | 2–6 months | Booking systems, dashboards, CRMs, SaaS |
One-time costs vs yearly costs
The build is a one-time cost. Three things recur every year:
- Domain name. A .in or .com typically costs about ₹700–₹1,500 a year. Watch for cheap first-year offers that renew at a much higher price.
- Hosting. Shared hosting for a small site is roughly ₹2,000–₹6,000 a year; managed WordPress or cloud hosting for busier sites ₹6,000–₹30,000 or more. Shopify includes hosting in its monthly plan.
- Maintenance. Updates, backups, security fixes and small content changes. Many businesses pay a monthly care plan; others pay per change.
Also budget for paid plugins, themes or apps if your site needs them, and a business email (Google Workspace or Microsoft 365) if you want you@yourbusiness.in.
What makes one quote higher than another
- Number of pages and templates. Ten pages built from two templates cost far less than ten unique layouts.
- Custom design vs a theme. A ready-made theme is fast and cheap; a design made for your brand takes more time and usually looks it.
- Content. Who writes the text and supplies photos? Copywriting and photography are often the real bottleneck.
- Features. Booking, payments, multiple languages, member logins and integrations (CRM, WhatsApp, inventory) each add work.
- Speed and SEO work. Proper technical SEO, structured data and fast loading take care that cheap builds often skip.
- What happens after launch. Training, documentation and support are worth paying for if your team will edit the site.
Freelancer, agency or website builder?
| DIY builder (Wix, Shopify, etc.) | Freelancer | Agency | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Lowest: monthly subscription | Low to medium | Medium to high |
| Your time | High: you build it | Medium | Low |
| Design quality | Template-based | Varies widely | Usually consistent |
| Support after launch | Platform help docs | Depends on the person | Usually a care plan |
| Best for | Very small budgets, simple needs | Clear, small projects | Business-critical sites and stores |
Costs people forget
- GST. Web development services in India attract 18% GST, so check whether a quote is inclusive or exclusive.
- Renewal prices for domains, hosting and premium plugins after the first year.
- Payment gateway fees on every online sale (charged by Razorpay, PayU, Stripe and others).
- Content updates after launch, if your developer charges per change.
- Redesign costs later, if the first site was built in a way nobody else can edit.
Make sure the domain is registered in your name and that you get the login details for the domain, hosting and website. A cheap site that someone else controls can become expensive to leave.
How to get an accurate quote
- List the pages you need and any features (booking, payments, WhatsApp chat, languages).
- Collect 2–3 websites you like and say what you like about each.
- Decide who provides text and photos.
- Ask every provider what is included: domain, hosting, email, SEO setup, training, revisions and support.
- Ask for the yearly costs after the first year, in writing.
- Compare quotes line by line, not by the headline number.
If you want a fixed price, SynthCoder builds a mobile-friendly business website for ₹15,000 with your domain and one year of hosting included, with an optional care plan of ₹3,000 a month. For larger builds, see our website development and CMS development services, or browse recent projects.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum cost of a website in India?
A basic business website from a freelancer or small agency usually starts around ₹10,000, plus about ₹3,000–₹7,000 a year for the domain and shared hosting. DIY website builders can cost less upfront but charge a monthly subscription.
How much does an e-commerce website cost in India?
A small online store on Shopify or WooCommerce typically costs ₹40,000–₹2,00,000 to build, depending on the number of products, custom design and integrations such as payment gateways, shipping and inventory.
How much does website maintenance cost per year?
It depends on what is included. Many businesses pay a monthly care plan covering updates, backups, security and small changes; others pay per change. Ask what response time and how many changes are included.
Is GST charged on website development?
Yes. Web development and IT services in India attract 18% GST. Check whether a quote includes GST before comparing prices.
Should I choose a .in or .com domain?
If you mainly serve customers in India, .in works well and signals a local business. If you sell internationally or want a global brand, .com is the safer choice. Many businesses register both.
How long does it take to build a business website?
A simple business website takes one to three weeks once text and photos are ready. Custom designs and online stores take three to eight weeks, and web applications several months.
