Web design in Brisbane typically costs between $1,000 and $30,000. That’s a huge range, and it often depends on your business goals, how complex your site needs to be, and which agency you work with.
So, is $1,500 too cheap? Is $10,000 too much? These are questions we get often. At Marketeam, we build affordable websites for Brisbane small businesses with no lock-in contracts and full ownership from day one.
In this guide, we’ll break down what influences price and what you need to get more leads, better design, and strong long-term value. We’ll also cover how Brisbane web designers price their services, what features are important, and what to expect from a professional website.
First, we’ll explain the main factors that determine website costs and what you can expect.
Website Design Costs Explained: What Your Budget Covers
When you pay for website design, you’re covering strategy, design, development, and ongoing support. The final price will depend on how many pages you need, what features you want, and whether your site is custom-built or uses a template.
Let’s look at the main factors that affect the total cost.
Features That Influence Pricing
Page count is one of the biggest factors in any quote. A simple five-page site will cost you far less than a twenty-page site with an online store. This is because more pages mean more design, more content, and more development time.
The features you choose will also affect the price. For example, your contact forms, live chat, booking systems, and payment gateways will take extra time to build and test. So, the overall cost will go up.
Your Content Management System (CMS) plays a role here, too. It’s the platform you use to build and manage your website. In other words, when you choose a platform, you are choosing your CMS. And the platform you choose can affect how the site is set up at the start and how easy it will be to make changes later on. That’s why WordPress is a popular choice because it’s flexible and SEO-friendly.
On top of that, speed and mobile responsiveness are now standard expectations. However, even though they are standard, they still require careful development to make sure the site performs well on all devices.
Custom vs. Templated Website Design
Custom web design can give your business a unique look that matches your brand perfectly. It focuses on your goals and target audience, so you control how the site looks and works. Templates, on the other hand, are cheaper and faster to set up. The trade-off is that they limit your design options and flexibility as your business grows.
For small business owners watching their budget, templates are useful for simple sites, like a basic brochure site or a page listing your services and contact details.
However, if you need features like an online store, booking system, or membership area, investing in a custom website is usually worth it. It can help your site stand out from competitors as well.
What Your Quote Should Include
Yes, a solid quote covers your design first. But it should also include SEO services, mobile UX, admin access to your site, and regular backups. Plus, user testing is important because it makes sure your site works properly before it goes live.
If you skip these details, you could end up facing unexpected costs later. So, ask your web development services provider to list everything clearly, including design work, number of pages, special features, and ongoing support. That way, you’ll know exactly what you’re paying for before you sign anything.
Add-Ons That Drive Up the Value
Some agencies offer extra services that can give your website a stronger start. Google Ads setup, for example, can help you attract visitors to your new site straight away.
Another helpful service is content writing, where the agency creates text for your pages, blog posts, or product descriptions. This can save you time and improve your site’s ranking in search engines.
In addition to content, some agencies also offer social media marketing to keep your brand visible on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. They may even provide training sessions that teach you how to update your own site without needing to call your web developers every time.
While these extra services add to the upfront cost, they can deliver greater long-term value by attracting more visitors and making your website easier to manage.
How Brisbane Agencies and Freelancers Price Their Services
Brisbane web design services typically range from $500 for basic freelancer work to $30,000 or more for full agency builds. The price you pay will depend on who you hire, what’s included, and how much support you need after your site goes live.
Here’s how to compare your options so you can make a better choice.
Freelancers vs. Agencies vs. Design Studios
Freelancers are usually your cheapest option. So it’s a good fit for small business owners who need a simple website without any complex features. The prices often range from $500 to $2,000. The trade-off, however, is that freelancers have limited availability and offer fewer services overall.
Agencies sit at the other end of the spectrum. They offer full web design services in Brisbane and handle strategy, development and ongoing support. Because of this, prices typically start around $3,000 and can go well over $20,000 for larger projects.
Finally, design studios focus on creating visually striking websites, which makes them ideal if branding and aesthetics are your main concern. Their prices usually fall between freelancer and agency rates, often ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 depending on the project.
That said, they may not offer SEO or marketing support, so keep that in mind when comparing options.
Price Tiers Explained with Inclusions
Now, there are three main website pricing tiers you can choose from: basic, standard, and premium. Each tier comes with different features and services, depending on your needs and budget:
Basic Packages
Cost: $500–$1,500
These packages usually use a template and include just a few pages, so they are ideal for sole traders or startups. And because they provide a simple, cost-effective solution, you can get your business online without making a big investment.
Standard Packages
Cost: $2,000–$5,000
Standard packages are perfect for small businesses that want a professional website with strong performance. For this price, you often get a custom design, mobile responsiveness, basic SEO, and a content management system like WordPress.
Premium Packages
Cost: $6,000 and up
As you can guess, premium options go beyond the basics and cover custom web design, advanced functionality, landing pages, ecommerce features, and ongoing support. If your goal is to generate leads and grow steadily over time, this tier gives you the tools to do that.
Mistakes Small Businesses Make When Choosing a Provider
One common mistake we see businesses make is focusing too much on price and not enough on performance. Yes, a cheap website might save you money upfront, but if it doesn’t rank on Google or convert visitors, it won’t help your business grow at all.
Another issue is failing to ask the right questions before signing. You should always ask about SEO, content, lead generation, and post-launch support. A good web design company in Brisbane will be upfront about what’s included and what costs extra, so don’t be afraid to push for clarity.
What to Look for in a Brisbane Web Design Agency
A quality web design agency in Brisbane offers development services, strategic input, and a clear plan for long-term support alongside attractive designs. This way, your website can grow with your business.
Start by asking the agency about their process, including how they plan and execute projects, what steps are involved, and how long each stage typically takes. Make sure to also discuss their timelines to see if they match your schedule. And don’t forget to ask how they prefer to communicate (email, phone calls, or project management tools) so you know what to expect and avoid misunderstandings.
Then, check their portfolio for examples of small business web design in Brisbane. This will give you a sense of their style and whether they’ve worked with businesses like yours before.
Most importantly, make sure they understand your goals. You might want more leads, stronger branding, or a smoother user experience. The right agency will listen carefully and customise its approach to what you actually need.
Maximise Value from Your Website Design Investment
We hope our guide has made it easier to see what each option costs and what you get for your money.
Now, before you choose a provider, make sure you ask about their digital marketing strategy and user experience approach. You’ll also want to know how your new site will attract visitors and generate leads. Trust us, these questions are more important than the price alone.
At the end of the day, what really counts is a well-organised development process, prompt communication, and a genuine focus on performance. And if you provide a seamless experience, visitors will stay on your small business site longer, which can help your business succeed online.
Looking for honest digital solutions without ongoing fees? Then our Marketeam will love to hear from you. Get in touch today and let’s chat about your project.
Shaban Ch