If you've started asking around about a new website in Beverly Hills or anywhere in Los Angeles, you've probably noticed that quotes vary wildly. One person says a few hundred dollars, another says ten thousand, and an agency mentions a "discovery phase" before they'll give a number at all.
The spread is real, and it isn't always about one option being a rip-off. Different providers are selling different things. In this post we'll break down the main options, share general price ranges (rough market estimates, not hard data), and explain what actually drives cost.
The main ways to get a website
DIY website builders
Hosted builders let you create a site yourself with templates. Your cash cost is typically a modest monthly subscription, plus your time. DIY is a reasonable choice if you have a simple business, enjoy the work and have time to keep it updated. The common downsides: it takes longer than expected, the result can look generic, and updates slide once you get busy.
Freelancers
An independent designer or developer can build a small business site for a wide range. A simple site can cost several thousand dollars, and custom design or complex features cost more. Quality and reliability vary widely. Great freelancers exist, but you're depending on one person's availability, both for the build and for every change afterward.
Agencies
Design agencies bring a team, from strategist and designer to developer and project manager, and a defined process. Agency builds usually cost more than freelance builds, and larger custom projects can cost much more. In a premium market like Beverly Hills, higher-end agency pricing is common. You're paying for process, custom design and accountability, which can be worth it for complex projects.
Productized build services
Some services, including ours, offer fixed packages: a defined number of pages and features for a set price. This sits between DIY and a custom agency build. It works well for service businesses that need a clean, credible site without a long custom process.
What drives the price
- Number of pages: a five-page site is a very different project from a 40-page site with location pages and case studies.
- Custom design vs. template-based design: fully custom design takes more hours.
- Content: who writes the copy and provides the photos? Copywriting and photography add cost but often make the biggest difference in results.
- Features: booking systems, client portals, IDX listings, e-commerce, multilingual content and integrations all add time.
- E-commerce: product setup, checkout, shipping and tax configuration are significant work.
- Revisions and timeline: rush jobs and many revision rounds cost more.
The cost people forget: keeping it current
The build is a one-time cost. Keeping the site accurate, secure and fresh is ongoing. A beautiful site that hasn't been updated in two years, with old prices, departed team members and broken forms, works against you. When you compare options, ask who will make changes after launch and what each change will cost.
This is the gap we built KeptWeb to fill. We design sites and then keep them updated every month, so the site you launch is still current next year.
Red flags in a website quote
Be cautious if a quote doesn't say who owns the finished site, locks your domain into the provider's account, promises guaranteed search rankings, or is vague about what happens after launch. A clear, written scope protects both sides.
How KeptWeb prices website design
We publish our website building prices so you don't need a discovery call to get a number:
- Starter (1–5 pages): $349 build only, or $0 with any 12-month maintenance plan.
- Business (6–10 pages): $849 build only, or $0 with a 12-month Growth or Pro plan ($99/mo or $149/mo).
- Store (up to ~25 products): $1,849 build only, or $499 with a 12-month Pro plan ($149/mo).
- Extra pages: $99 each.
$0 and discounted builds need a 12-month plan; if you cancel early, you pay only the unpaid part of the build fee (see how it's calculated). Maintenance plans on their own are month-to-month. Either way, you own your site. Details are on our website design and building page.
How to compare quotes
- Ask what's included in plain terms: pages, design approach, copywriting, photos, forms, SEO basics.
- Ask who owns the site and domain: it should be you.
- Ask what happens after launch: who makes updates, how fast, at what price?
- Look at real examples: ask to see sites they've built and maintained.
- Check the platform: can you move the site later if you need to?
Which option fits you?
If you're a solo professional or a small service business, a well-built five- to ten-page site that stays current usually beats a sprawling custom build that goes stale. If you need complex functionality or a distinctive brand experience, an agency may be worth the investment.
We work with all kinds of small businesses around Los Angeles and beyond, including attorneys, accountants, real estate agents and brokers and entertainment professionals.
Not sure whether you need a new site or just a refresh? Ask for our free website review and we'll give you an honest answer. Or see our website building pricing and maintenance plans.