How much does a website cost in India? (2026 startup guide)
A no-fluff breakdown of what a website actually costs in India in 2026 — from ₹15K landing pages to ₹1.5L brand-and-build bundles — and exactly what drives the price.
If you're a founder in India pricing out a website in 2026, here's the short answer: a professional website typically costs between ₹15,000 and ₹1,50,000 — and where you land in that range depends on far more than "how many pages." This guide breaks down exactly what you're paying for, so you can budget with your eyes open instead of getting quoted blind.
The short answer: website cost in India in 2026
Most startups fall into one of five buckets. Here's the realistic range for each, based on what professional designers and studios actually charge this year:
| Type of website | Typical cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Template / DIY builder (Wix, Framer, Squarespace) | ₹0 – ₹15K / year | Pre-revenue, testing an idea |
| Landing page (custom design + dev) | ₹15K – ₹35K | One offer, one CTA, fast launch |
| Business website (custom, multi-page) | ₹40K – ₹1.2L | Established brand needing real presence |
| Brand + website bundle | ₹75K – ₹1.5L | New venture starting from zero |
| Large-agency build | ₹2L+ | Funded company, complex product |
The gap between ₹15K and ₹1.5L isn't markup — it's a different scope of work. A templated one-pager and a custom-designed, custom-coded brand site are two different products that happen to share a word. Understanding the drivers below is how you tell which one you're being quoted.
Why the same "website" can cost ₹15K or ₹1.5L
Eight things move the price more than anything else. The more of these you need, the closer you get to the top of the range:
- Custom design vs. template — a layout built around your brand vs. a theme with your logo swapped in.
- Custom-coded vs. page builder — hand-built React/Next sites are faster and more flexible, but cost more than drag-and-drop.
- Number of pages and unique layouts — five bespoke layouts cost more than one page repeated five times.
- Motion and interaction — scroll animation, video, and micro-interactions are craft hours, not a checkbox.
- Copywriting — words that convert are a skill; "we'll send you the content" usually means delays and weaker results.
- SEO and performance engineering — fast load, clean structure, and schema markup are what get you found.
- Integrations — payments, booking, CRM, analytics, and automations each add scope.
- Timeline — a one-week rush costs more than a comfortable three-week build.
Freelancer vs. studio vs. DIY — which fits a startup?
Price is only half the decision. The other half is risk and accountability — who's responsible when it breaks the week before your launch.
- DIY builders (₹0–₹15K/yr): cheapest and fastest, but you do the work and it tends to look templated. Fine for validating an idea before you spend real money.
- Freelancer (₹8K–₹80K): wide quality range. A good one is excellent value; a cheap one is a single point of failure who can disappear mid-project.
- Boutique studio (₹40K+): senior strategy, design, and development under one roof, with someone accountable for the outcome. The right call once the site has to actually sell for you.
The costs nobody quotes you upfront
The build is a one-time number. Running the site is ongoing — budget for these so they don't surprise you:
- Domain: ₹800–₹1,500 per year.
- Hosting: effectively free on modern platforms (Vercel, Netlify) for most startup sites, rising to ₹500–₹2,000/mo only at real scale.
- Maintenance and updates: ₹10K/mo on a retainer, or per-task — sites need changes after launch.
- Content and photography: a recurring cost if you publish regularly.
- SSL: free now (don't let anyone charge you for it).
How much should a startup actually budget?
A simple rule of thumb based on where your business is, not where you wish it was:
- Pre-revenue / still testing: a sharp ₹15K–₹35K landing page. One offer, one CTA — prove the demand first.
- Ready to sell, need credibility: a ₹40K–₹80K custom website that earns trust and converts.
- New brand from scratch: a ₹75K–₹1.5L brand-and-website bundle — identity and site built together so nothing feels bolted on.
Our honest advice to most early founders: start with one excellent landing page, not ten mediocre ones. Get it converting, then expand. A focused page that does one job beats a bloated site that does none.
What it costs to work with ZDKIEL Labs
We design and build for founders who care about the outcome, not just the deliverable. Landing pages start at ₹15K, full custom websites run ₹40K–₹1.2L, and a complete brand-and-website bundle is ₹75K–₹1.5L. After launch, ongoing design and dev starts at ₹10K/mo. We take one project at a time, so every client gets senior attention from day one.
If you want a clear, fixed quote for your specific project — no packages, no padding — start a conversation below. It's a 15-minute call, no commitment.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a basic website cost in India in 2026?
A simple landing page or small business site costs roughly ₹15,000–₹40,000 with a professional designer. DIY website builders can be near-free but require you to do the design and build yourself.
Why do website prices vary so much?
The biggest drivers are custom design vs. template, custom code vs. page builder, the number of unique page layouts, animation and interaction, copywriting, SEO setup, and integrations like payments or booking. More of these pushes the price up.
Is it cheaper to hire a freelancer or an agency?
Freelancers are usually cheaper (₹8K–₹80K) but quality varies and you carry the risk of a single point of failure. A boutique studio costs more (₹40K+) but bundles strategy, design, development, and accountability for the result.
What are the ongoing costs of running a website?
Budget for a domain (₹800–₹1,500/year), hosting (free for most startup sites, up to ₹500–₹2,000/mo at scale), and maintenance (around ₹10K/mo on a retainer or per-task). SSL is free.
How long does it take to build a website in India?
A landing page typically takes about one week. A full custom multi-page website usually takes three to six weeks, depending on scope, content readiness, and the number of revision rounds.
Should a startup start with a template website?
A template or DIY builder is fine for validating an idea before you have revenue. Once your website needs to win trust and convert customers, a custom design pays for itself in credibility and conversion.