How Much Should You Charge for a Website? A Step-by-Step Method

Kesnia Uchendu — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 11:10:24 +0000

If you've ever quoted a website project and then watched it swallow twice the hours you planned, this post is for you.

Most web creators don't undercharge because they're bad at business. They undercharge because they price the page instead of the work around the page. Here's a simple method you can use on your next quote.

1. Price the outcome, not just the hours

A landing page isn't "a few sections and a button." It's a tool meant to get someone to sign up, buy, or book a call. Before you quote, ask the client:

What should a visitor do on this page?
Who is the visitor?
How will you know it worked?

Clients who can answer these are usually ready to pay for the result. Clients who can't tend to change the scope halfway through, so build extra time into their quote.

2. Count the hidden work

Most underpriced projects go wrong here. Beyond building the layout, count:

Gathering copy, images, and brand assets from the client
Mobile and tablet responsiveness
Revision rounds (decide how many are included)
Testing across browsers and devices
Deployment and handoff
Emails, calls, and waiting for replies

Add up the hours for each, then add a 20 to 30 percent buffer, because something always takes longer than expected.

3. Use a simple formula

Price = (estimated hours × your hourly rate) + buffer + extras

Here's an example with made-up numbers. Swap in your own:

12 hours at $20/hour = $240
25% buffer = $60
Extras (hosting setup, form integration) = $40
Quote: $340

If the client pushes back, don't cut the price. Cut the scope instead, such as fewer sections or fewer revision rounds.

4. Protect yourself with the payment structure

Good pricing means nothing if you don't get paid. Before you write a line of code:

Take a 30 to 50 percent deposit upfront
Split the rest into milestones (design approved, build complete, final handoff)
Put the scope, revision limit, and payment terms in a short written agreement
Don't hand over final files until the last payment clears

This one habit prevents most non-payment stories.

5. Offer packages instead of one number

Three tiers make it easier for clients to say yes:

Package	What's included
Basic	One-page layout, mobile responsive, 1 revision
Standard	Basic + contact form, basic SEO setup, 2 revisions
Premium	Standard + animations, analytics setup, 30-day support

Most clients pick the middle option, so design it to be the one you actually want to sell.

Final thought

Under-pricing doesn't make you competitive. It makes you tired, and it teaches clients to expect a low price for your work. Charge for the real work, protect yourself with deposits, and let the scope be the thing that flexes.

I wrote The Web Creators Pricing Playbook to help web creators price their work with confidence.

👉 Get the book here

What's the hardest part of pricing your work? Tell me in the comments and I'll reply to everyone.