In 2026, a business without a proper website is simply invisible. Whether you’re a boutique owner in Mumbai, an agency in Delhi, a startup founder in Bangalore, or a freelancer anywhere in India, your website serves as your digital identity, sales engine, and trust-builder.

But there’s one big problem:

👉 Website development cost in India is unpredictable and confusing.

Quotes range from ₹8,000 to ₹5,00,000+, and most clients have no idea what drives the difference.

This guide explains everything—objectively, transparently, and based on real industry pricing (2025–2026 trends). This is not a “platform-biased” blog. The first half is intentionally neutral so you understand the complete landscape.

Later, we’ll discuss why WordPress ends up being the most practical and cost-efficient choice for MOST businesses in India, supported by real logic—not hype.

Let’s begin.

What Determines Website Development Cost in India?

Every website cost in India is shaped by six key factors, regardless of whether it’s built on WordPress, Shopify, Webflow, or a custom stack like React or Laravel.

1. Type of Website

Different website types require different timelines, features, and technical skills.

• Portfolio website
• Service/business website
• Corporate website
• E-commerce store
• Landing page
• Custom-built applications

A static website costs less than an e-commerce platform, and custom-built dashboards cost significantly more.

2. Number of Pages

A 5-page website costs far less than a 25-page corporate website with multiple unique layouts.

3. Design Requirements

Design includes:

• Wireframes
• UI/UX
• Responsive layouts
• Visual branding
• Page templates
• Custom graphics

Fully custom UI/UX naturally costs more than pre-built or semi-custom templates.

4. Development Platform

Here’s where most people get confused.

The platform you choose affects:

• Time
• Functionality
• Cost
• Maintenance
• Scalability

Common website platforms in India include:

• WordPress (CMS)
• Shopify (E-commerce)
• Webflow (Design-first)
• Wix / Squarespace (Beginner-friendly)
• Custom code (HTML, React, Laravel, Django)

No platform is “the best” universally. Each has strengths.

We’ll discuss each one honestly—then explain where WordPress wins.

5. Features & Integrations

Every functionality adds cost:

• Booking system
• Payment gateway
• Product filters
• CRM integration
• Inventory
• AI chat
• Multi-language
• Advanced forms
• Membership access

More features = more cost.

6. SEO + Content

Without SEO and high-quality content, even an expensive website will perform poorly.

Since content plays a major role in how well your website ranks and converts, you may want to explore how content writing in digital marketing influences traffic, engagement, and long-term visibility.

Website Development Cost in India (2026 Price Table)

Here are the transparent 2026 price ranges across India:

1. Starter Website (3–5 pages)

₹8,000 – ₹20,000

Includes basics:

• Responsive design
• Home, About, Services, Contact
• Simple forms
• Light SEO

2. Business Website (5–10 pages)

₹20,000 – ₹50,000

Includes:

• Better UI/UX
• Blog setup
• Lead forms
• Optimized layouts

If you’re building a website to attract more customers online, make sure it aligns with a strong marketing strategy. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what a digital marketing service in Bangalore typically includes and how it supports long-term website performance.

3. E-commerce Website

₹35,000 – ₹1,20,000

The platform can be Shopify, WooCommerce, Webflow Ecommerce, or custom.

Includes:

• Product catalog
• Checkout
• Payment gateway
• Discount system
• Shipping integration

➡ External Link: E-commerce Growth Statistics India

4. Custom Applications

₹1,50,000 – ₹10,00,000+

Used for:

• CRMs
• ERPs
• SaaS dashboards
• Multi-user systems
• AI-powered platforms

Breakdown of Website Design & Development Charges

UI/UX Design

₹5,000 – ₹40,000

Development Work

₹10,000 – ₹80,000

Content Writing

₹500 – ₹4,000 per page

WordPress Website Cost in India (2026)

₹15,000 – ₹60,000

WordPress websites vary depending on:

• Customization
• Theme
• Plugins
• SEO depth
• E-commerce needs

It remains the most used CMS globally & in India.

E-commerce Website Cost in India (2026)

Shopify:

₹40,000 – ₹1,50,000

WooCommerce:

₹35,000 – ₹1,20,000

Custom Ecommerce:

₹1,00,000 – ₹5,00,000+

Hidden Costs Most People Ignore

These costs apply regardless of platform:

• Domain
• Hosting
• Renewals
• Plugins
• Apps
• Security setup
• Backups
• Maintenance

A realistic monthly maintenance cost is:
₹1,000 – ₹5,000

Website Development Packages (2026)

Freelancer vs Agency vs In-House — True Cost Comparison

Hiring a Freelancer

Most affordable
Best for small projects
Flexible

If you’re considering hiring an individual professional instead of a full agency, this guide on choosing a digital marketing freelancer in Bangalore will help you evaluate skills, pricing, and reliability.

Hiring an Agency

More expensive
Team support
Scalable

• digital marketing company in Bangalore
• top digital marketing agency in Bangalore

In-House Team

Highest cost
Full control
Suited for large enterprises

How Long Does It Take to Build a Website in India?

• Basic website → 7–15 days
• Business website → 15–30 days
• E-commerce → 20–45 days
• Custom app → 2–6 months

How to Choose the Right Website Developer in India (2026 Checklist)

✔ Portfolio
✔ Industry experience
✔ SEO-first mindset
✔ Transparent pricing
✔ Good communication
✔ Maintenance clarity

Once your website goes live, consistent promotion is essential. This breakdown of social media marketing in Bangalore shows how local businesses can amplify visibility and build credibility faster.

Now the Shift: Neutral → Realistic WordPress Advantage

Up to this point, every platform has been treated equally — because this is the only fair way to understand pricing.

But now we need to have the real, practical conversation most Indian businesses skip:

Which platform gives the BEST long-term value?
Which is sustainable for the Indian budget ranges?
Which gives full control without recurring lock-in?
Which can scale while keeping maintenance affordable?

This is where the truth becomes clear:

Why WordPress Becomes the Best Choice for 90% of Indian Businesses (Actual Reasons, Not Bias)

The shift toward WordPress is NOT because it’s “popular” — it’s because it solves the REAL operational problems Indian business owners face.

Here are the factual, practical, experience-backed reasons:

1. WordPress Reduces Long-Term Costs Dramatically

Other platforms require:

• Monthly app fees
• Add-on charges
• High customisation costs
• Marketing/SEO limitations
• Recurring subscription billing

WordPress requires:

• Hosting
• Domain
• Occasional premium tools

That’s it.

This alone makes WordPress 40–60% cheaper over 3 years.

2. WordPress Offers Total Ownership (No Lock-In)

Shopify → monthly fees
Wix → locked templates
Webflow → expensive hosting
Custom → developer-dependent

WordPress:
You own everything.
Move anywhere.
Change hosting.
Scale freely.

This is a business-level advantage.

3. SEO Performance Is Better on WordPress

Not because it’s “special”, but because:

• You control metadata
• You control speed
• You control URLs
• You control the schema
• You control the sitemap
• You can use SEO plugins
• You can optimise hosting

Google loves websites with flexibility.
WordPress simply gives that flexibility.

4. WordPress Works for Every Industry

Unlike other platforms that are strong in certain niches, WordPress works for:

• Restaurants
• Doctors
• Ecommerce
• Consultants
• Real estate
• Coaching
• Corporate websites
• SaaS landing pages

This universal adaptability is a huge win.

5. WordPress Is Scalable Without Breaking Your Budget

Add features anytime:

• Payment gateway
• Membership
• LMS
• Booking
• CRM
• API integrations
• Advanced design

No platform scales as affordably as WordPress.

The Honest Conclusion:

Up to a certain scale (unless you’re building a SaaS or a heavy custom web app), WordPress is the most practical choice for 90% of Indian businesses because it balances:

• Cost
• Control
• Flexibility
• SEO
• Maintenance
• Scalability

This is not hype.
This is not biased.
This is decades of industry learning.

Final Thoughts: Website Development Cost in India (2026)

The website development cost in India depends on your goals, features, and the platform you choose — but long-term sustainability matters more than short-term pricing.

If you’re a small or medium-sized business in India, choosing a platform that gives:

✔ Full control
✔ Low recurring costs
✔ Better SEO
✔ Easy scalability
✔ Affordable customisation

…then you will naturally end up choosing WordPress.

It’s not the cheapest.
It’s not the trendiest.
It’s simply the most practical and future-proof.

If you’re new to digital terms or want to understand the foundation before investing further, this simplified guide on digital marketing meaning will help you get complete clarity.

FAQs — Website Development Cost in India (2026 Edition)

1. What is the average website development cost in India in 2026?

The average website development cost in India ranges from ₹20,000 to ₹60,000 for a standard business website.
This includes:

• 5–10 pages
• Professional UI
• Basic SEO
• Fast mobile design
• Contact forms
• Blog setup

Prices increase based on custom features, e-commerce needs, and advanced UI/UX design.

2. Why do website development charges in India vary so much?

Because pricing depends on several variables:

• Type of website (basic, business, ecommerce, custom)
• Platform (WordPress, Shopify, Webflow, custom code)
• Design complexity
• Number of pages
• SEO + content requirements
• Developer or agency experience

A freelancer may charge less, while agencies with larger teams naturally cost more.

3. Is WordPress cheaper than custom or Shopify websites?

In most cases, yes.
WordPress is usually 40–60% more affordable because:

• No monthly platform fee
• No locked ecosystem
• Unlimited design control
• Fewer recurring costs
• Plugins replace expensive apps

This makes WordPress the most cost-efficient option for most Indian businesses.

4. How much does an e-commerce website cost in India?

Ecommerce website cost in India typically ranges from ₹35,000 to ₹1,20,000, depending on:

• Number of products
• Filters & variations
• Payment gateway integration
• Shipping setup
• Inventory automation
• Custom design

Custom ecommerce systems (React, Laravel, Django) can exceed ₹1–5 lakhs.

5. Are there any hidden costs in website development?

Yes. Hidden costs include:

• Hosting renewal (₹2,000–₹8,000 yearly)
• Domain renewal (₹800–₹1,200 yearly)
• Premium themes or plugins
• App subscriptions
• Security setup
• Maintenance (₹1,000–₹5,000 monthly)

Most clients overlook these recurring expenses.

6. How long does it take to build a website in India?

Timelines vary based on website type:

• Basic 5-page website → 7–15 days
• Standard business website → 15–30 days
• E-commerce website → 20–45 days
• Custom application → 2–6 months

Delays usually happen due to content readiness and feedback cycles.

7. What is the cost of website maintenance in India?

Maintenance costs typically range from ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 per month, depending on:

• Updates
• Backups
• Security
• Bug fixes
• Content updates
• Hosting management

Websites with e-commerce or heavy traffic may require slightly higher maintenance.

8. Is a freelancer cheaper than a web development agency in India?

Yes, freelancers are generally more affordable because they operate independently.
Agencies charge more due to:

• Dedicated designers
• Developers
• Testers
• Project managers
• Strategy specialists

However, agencies offer scalability and structured execution.

9. Which platform is best for building a website in India?

If you need flexibility, SEO strength, low recurring costs, and easy scalability, WordPress is the best and most practical choice for 90% of Indian businesses.
Shopify is ideal for e-commerce, while custom development suits large-scale applications.

10. Can I build a website in India for under ₹10,000?

Yes, but only for:

• Very basic templates
• 3–4 page structures
• Minimal customization
• No advanced features

Serious businesses should invest ₹20,000+ for a professional, long-lasting website.

11. How much does a landing page cost in India?

A professionally designed landing page typically costs ₹5,000 – ₹20,000 depending on design quality, copywriting, and conversion strategy.

12. What increases the cost of a website the most?

The biggest cost drivers are:

• Custom UI/UX
• Advanced functionalities
• E-commerce automation
• API integrations
• Multi-language support
• Custom dashboards
• Branding-heavy designs

These require specialised developers.