How Much Does a Website Redesign Cost in 2026?

"How much does a website redesign cost?" is one of the most common questions we get. And honestly, the answer from most agencies is frustrating: it depends.

That's technically true, but it's not helpful. So here's a straight answer based on what we've seen across hundreds of small business projects in 2026.

The Quick Answer

For a typical small business website (5–15 pages, modern design, mobile-friendly, basic SEO), you're looking at $3,000 to $10,000 in 2026. That's the realistic range for quality work from a freelancer or small agency.

Need e-commerce, custom integrations, or advanced functionality? That pushes you into the $10,000–$25,000+ range.

Want to use a DIY builder like Squarespace or Wix? You can get something up for $500–$2,000, but you'll trade off performance, SEO, and conversion optimization.

What Actually Drives Cost

Page count matters way less than people think. What really drives the price:

• Custom functionality — Booking systems, client portals, calculators, or integrations with your existing tools add complexity fast
• Content strategy — Writing compelling copy that actually converts visitors into customers is a skill. Good copywriting alone can run $1,000–$3,000
• Design complexity — Custom illustrations, animations, and unique layouts cost more than adapting a template
• SEO foundation — Technical SEO setup, keyword research, and content optimization should be baked into any redesign
• Speed optimization — Fast-loading sites require more development work but directly impact your Google rankings and conversion rates

2026 Pricing Tiers

Here's a realistic breakdown of what different budget levels get you:

Budget: $500–$2,000 (DIY / Template)

• Squarespace, Wix, or WordPress with a premium theme
• You handle content and setup (or pay someone a few hundred to help)
• Works for: simple portfolio sites, basic service businesses just starting out
• Downside: generic design, limited SEO, you're locked into the platform

Mid-Range: $3,000–$10,000 (Professional)

• Custom design based on your brand and goals
• Professional copywriting and content strategy
• Mobile optimization, basic SEO, contact forms, analytics setup
• Works for: most small businesses, service companies, local businesses
• This is the sweet spot for ROI

Premium: $10,000–$25,000+ (Full Custom)

• Everything above plus custom functionality
• E-commerce, booking systems, CRM integrations, AI chatbots
• Advanced SEO with content strategy and keyword mapping
• Works for: growing businesses, multi-location companies, competitive industries

DIY vs. Freelancer vs. Agency

The "cheapest" option isn't always the most affordable. Here's the honest comparison:

DIY builders save money upfront but cost you in three ways: your time (40–80+ hours if you're learning), lost conversions (templates don't optimize for your specific business), and weaker SEO (these platforms have real limitations under the hood).

Freelancers ($2,000–$8,000) give you custom work at lower overhead costs. The trade-off is you're relying on one person's availability and skill set. Great freelancers are worth their weight in gold, but they're hard to find.

Agencies ($5,000–$25,000+) bring a team: designer, developer, copywriter, SEO specialist. You pay more but get a more complete product. Best for businesses that want a strategic partner, not just a site builder.

How AI Changed the Pricing Game

AI tools have genuinely shifted web design costs in 2026, but not the way most people think.

What's gotten cheaper: initial design mockups, basic copywriting drafts, simple code generation, and stock image creation. A designer who used to spend 20 hours on mockups might now spend 8.

What hasn't gotten cheaper: strategy, user research, conversion optimization, complex integrations, and ongoing performance tuning. These still require human expertise and judgment.

The net effect? Mid-range projects have dropped maybe 15–20% in cost compared to 2024. But the quality ceiling has gone up — AI lets good designers and developers do even better work, which is worth paying for.

Hidden Costs Nobody Tells You About

Your website redesign quote probably doesn't include:

• Hosting — $10–$50/month for quality hosting (avoid the $3/month garbage)
• Domain renewal — $10–$15/year
• SSL certificate — Usually free with good hosting, but verify
• Ongoing maintenance — Updates, security patches, and backups run $50–$200/month
• Content updates — Plan to update your site quarterly at minimum. Budget $500–$1,000/year if you're outsourcing this
• Photography — Stock photos are fine for some things, but professional photos of your team and work make a huge difference. Budget $500–$2,000

When You Actually Need a Redesign

Not every business needs a full redesign. Here's when it's actually worth the investment:

• Your site isn't mobile-friendly (this is urgent — Google penalizes non-mobile sites)
• It loads slowly (over 3 seconds and you're losing 50%+ of visitors)
• Your bounce rate is above 60% (people are landing and immediately leaving)
• You're embarrassed to share your URL (that feeling matters — it's costing you business)
• Your business has evolved but your site still describes who you were 3 years ago
• You're not showing up in Google for your core services

If none of those apply, a refresh (updated content, new photos, speed improvements) might be all you need — and that's a $1,000–$3,000 project.

Bottom Line

A website is an investment, not an expense. The businesses we work with typically see a 30–50% increase in leads within 90 days of launching a redesigned site — because it's not just about looking better, it's about converting visitors into customers.

If you're curious what a redesign would look like for your business specifically, we offer free consultations where we'll walk through your current site, identify the biggest opportunities, and give you a realistic budget estimate.

No pressure, no sales pitch — just honest advice about whether a redesign is worth it for your business right now.