“How much does it cost to hire a website designer for an agency website or partnership?”
You want to know what’s fair, what to expect, and how to avoid being overcharged for a simple agency website.
That’s a smart question… because pricing can be confusing.
Some designers charge $200, others ask for $3,000 for what seems like the same thing.
Without understanding how pricing really works, you might end up paying too much for too little… or choosing a cheap option that breaks down later, forcing you to spend more fixing it.
This guide will clear all that up.
We’ll break down what really affects website design pricing… from design style and features to who’s building it (freelancer or agency).
You’ll also learn the hidden costs people often forget to plan for… like hosting, updates, and SEO setup.
By the end, you’ll understand exactly what you’re paying for and how to budget smartly for your project… whether you need a simple business website or a full agency-level website.
In this article
Average website design costs for agencies
So, how much does it really cost to hire a website designer?
Well, it depends on who you hire and what kind of project you’re doing.
But here’s a clear way to look at it… especially if you run an agency or plan to hire designers for client projects.
There are three main options:
- Freelancers
- Agencies
- And white-label partner
Let’s talk about each one.
Freelancers ($500 – $7,000 per project)
A freelancer is usually one person… someone who designs websites on their own.
They’re often a good choice for small projects or startups that just need something simple, like a portfolio or landing page.
You can find freelancers on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, or through referrals.
The price depends on their experience and how complex the project is.
For example:
- A one-page website might cost around $500 – $1,500.
- A full small-business website could go up to $5,000 – $7,000.
The good part? Freelancers are flexible and often cheaper.
The downside? You might handle communication, feedback, and revisions by yourself… which can slow things down if you’re an agency juggling many clients.
Agency ($5,000 – $50,000+ per project)
A website design agency is a full team: designers, developers, copywriters, and project managers.
They usually take care of everything from start to finish, and that’s why their prices are higher.
For example:
- A standard business website might cost $5,000 – $10,000.
- A complex eCommerce website or SaaS dashboard could hit $30,000 – $50,000+ depending on the scope.
Agencies are great if you want polished, high-quality work and don’t want to manage freelancers.
They handle everything… but you pay for that full-service experience.
This option fits high-end projects or clients who want a premium brand look and don’t mind a bigger budget.
White-label partners ($1,500 – $10,000 per project)
A white-label partner is like a hidden team that designs websites for your clients under your agency’s name.
Think of it like this:
You get all the credit, but someone else handles the design work quietly in the background.
This is perfect for agencies that want to deliver quality websites fast without hiring an in-house team.
Prices usually range from $1,500 to $10,000, depending on how big or detailed the website is.
It’s more affordable than hiring a full agency, but you still get professional-level quality and structured workflows… especially if you partner with an experienced white-label team.
Comparison breakdown
| Type | Typical cost range | Best for |
| Freelancer | $500 – $7,000 | Small projects or startups |
| Agency | $5,000 – $50,000+ | High-end or large projects |
| White-label partner | $1,500 – $10,000 | Agencies outsourcing client websites |
What determines website design pricing (from an agency’s perspective)
Why do website design prices vary so much?
You might see one designer charge $1,000, while another quotes $10,000… for what looks like the same thing.
Well, here’s the truth:
The price depends on what’s really going on behind the scenes.
Let’s break it down so it’s easy to understand… especially if you’re running or hiring through an agency.
1. Project scope & deliverables
Think of this as how big the job is.
A simple one-page landing page is like building a small house… quick, focused, and straightforward.
But a full website with 10–20 pages, a blog, a shop, and contact forms?
That’s more like building an estate… it needs planning, structure, and more hands.
The more pages, features, and goals you have, the higher the cost will be.
You’re not just paying for design… you’re paying for strategy, time, and setup.
2. Level of customization
This simply means:
How unique do you want the website to look and feel?
Some websites use templates… pre-made designs that are tweaked to fit a brand. They’re cheaper and faster.
Others want custom UI/UX design… everything made from scratch, with special layouts, animations, and brand visuals.
That takes more time and skill, so it costs more.
In short: the more original and detailed the design, the higher the price.
3. Designer or team expertise
Here’s where experience matters.
A senior designer who has worked with multiple agencies knows what works, what converts, and how to handle feedback smoothly.
They might charge more upfront… but they save you time because you don’t go through endless revisions or design mistakes.
On the other hand, a cheaper, less experienced designer might take longer and need more corrections.
So you either pay more money now or pay more time later.
4. Client expectations
Some clients want it all… special branding, smooth animations, video backgrounds, and fancy effects.
Others just want something clean and simple.
Every extra detail adds design and development hours, which increases cost.
If your agency promises clients “premium results,” then naturally, the budget has to match that promise.
5. Tech stack & CMS
The “tech stack” is just a fancy way of saying what tools or platforms the website is built on.
For example:
- WordPress or Webflow: Good for most small-to-medium websites.
- Shopify: Great for eCommerce.
- Custom-coded websites: Offer full control, but cost more because developers build everything from scratch.
Each platform comes with its own setup time, skill level, and price tag.
6. Timelines
Need it fast?
Then it’ll cost more.
If a client says, “We need this website live in two weeks,” that means the designer has to work overtime, skip queues, and focus only on your project.
That urgency fee bumps up the price.
7. Post-launch support
A lot of people forget this part.
After the website is live, there’s still maintenance, SEO updates, and sometimes A/B testing to improve performance.
Think of it like owning a car… you don’t just buy it; you also need to fuel and maintain it.
If your agency wants smooth performance for clients long-term, you’ll want a designer who offers ongoing support… and that adds to the total cost.
Hidden website design costs agencies often overlook
Here’s something many agencies don’t talk about:
The extra costs that sneak in after the website is done.
These costs aren’t always part of the first quote, so when they show up later, both the agency and client can get a surprise bill.
Let’s break them down simply.
1. Licensing fees for fonts, images, or plugins
Sometimes, designers use paid fonts, stock photos, or special plugins to make your website look and work better.
These tools aren’t always free… and the license (that’s permission to use them legally) can cost extra.
For example, that sleek-looking font in your header might require a yearly license, or a plugin that handles pop-ups might charge a monthly fee.
If these aren’t mentioned in the project plan, they’ll appear as surprise costs later.
2. On-page SEO setup and technical fixes
Your website might look great, but that doesn’t automatically mean Google loves it.
Proper on-page SEO (things like meta tags, image compression, and fixing slow-loading pages) takes extra time and skill.
Some agencies only design the website visuals but don’t handle SEO setup… which means you’ll later need to pay someone else to optimize it for search engines.
3. Hosting, domain, and security certificates
Every website needs a “home” (hosting), an address (domain), and a lock (security certificate or SSL).
These three are essential but often not included in the design quote.
Most agencies expect the client to handle them… but when clients don’t, they realize too late that the website can’t go live without them.
Wraping up
At the end of the day, hiring a website designer isn’t just about price… it’s about value.
You want someone who understands design, copy, and conversion flow, not just pretty pages. That’s exactly what we do at Block Agency.
We design high-performing websites for agencies and also partner with them as a white-label design team.
So, if you want to design your agency website, or need a reliable team behind your agency, let’s work together.
Talk to us: hey@blockagency.co
Frequently Asked Question
How much do website designers charge per hour?
Website designers usually charge between $30 to $150 per hour, depending on their experience and where they’re located. Freelancers may charge less, while agencies charge more because they include strategy, design, and testing. Always confirm what’s included in the hourly rate before hiring.
How much does website maintenance cost?
Website maintenance costs between $50 to $500 per month, depending on your website size and features. This covers updates, backups, security checks, and fixing errors. Basic websites cost less, while eCommerce or business websites with plugins and integrations need more regular updates and care.
How much does a basic 5-page website cost?
A simple 5-page website usually costs between $1,500 to $5,000. The final price depends on the design quality, features, and who’s building it… freelancer or agency. This often includes pages like Home, About, Services, Contact, and Blog, with a clean and mobile-friendly layout.
