How Much Does It Really Cost of Getting a Website Made?

The cost of creating a website is likely one of the first things that comes to mind if you've been considering doing so for your company, personal brand, or even a side project. This is one of the most frequent questions people have when they first start out online, so you're not alone. We will explain everything in this blog in a simple way. Whether you're considering using a full-service agency, hiring a freelance designer, or trying a DIY (Do It Yourself) builder, we'll go over the factors that affect website development costs and how to get the most from your investment.

Why Isn't There Just One Price for Making a Website?

There isn’t a fixed cost of getting a website made because every business has different needs, goals, and technical requirements. Just like building a house, the cost depends on what you're building: a small landing page, a full e-commerce store, or a custom web app. The features, design complexity, integrations (like payment gateways or booking systems), and whether you hire a freelancer, agency, or use DIY tools like Wix or WordPress, all affect the final price.

General Website Price Ranges in Saudi Arabia:

• Basic Website (static or template-based): SAR 1,500 – SAR 5,000
• Small Business Website (custom design, responsive): SAR 5,000 – SAR 15,000
• E-commerce Website (with payments, inventory, shipping): SAR 10,000 – SAR 40,000+
• Advanced Corporate or Custom Web App: SAR 30,000 – SAR 100,000+

This wide range reflects how flexible and scalable the cost of getting a website made can be, depending on your exact goals and how premium your solution needs to be.

What Exactly Affects the Cost of Getting a Website Made?

The cost of getting a website made in Saudi Arabia depends on a mix of technical, creative, and strategic factors. Here's what really shapes the final price:

• Type of Website: A simple portfolio site costs far less than an online store, booking system, or web application.
• Number of Pages: More pages mean more design, content, and development time which increases the cost.
• Design Quality: Custom UI/UX design tailored to your brand is pricier than using pre-made templates.
• Functionality & Features: Do you need a contact form, payment gateway, live chat, login system, or integration with other software? Each feature adds to the cost.
• Content Creation: Writing content, sourcing images, and adding Arabic/English versions (for bilingual sites) may involve extra fees.
• SEO & Performance Optimization: If you want your website to rank well in Saudi search engines and load fast on mobile that adds value and cost.
• Hosting & Domain: These are ongoing costs, but the choice (basic shared hosting vs. high-speed VPS) affects upfront decisions too.
• Who You Hire: Freelancers tend to be cheaper. Local Saudi agencies often charge more but may offer stronger support, Arabic localization, and a better understanding of local business culture.

So the cost of getting a website made isn't just about how it looks, it's about how it works, who builds it, and what it helps your business achieve.

Domain and Hosting: The Recurring Costs

When considering the cost of getting a website made in Saudi Arabia, it’s important to account for recurring costs especially domain and hosting, which are paid annually or monthly:

Domain Name (e.g., yourcompany.com or .sa):

• .com: SAR 50 – SAR 150 per year
• .sa (Saudi domain): SAR 100 – SAR 300 per year, depending on the provider and registration process
• Premium or branded domains can cost much more if already owned by someone else.

Web Hosting:

• Shared Hosting (basic websites): SAR 200 – SAR 500 per year
• Cloud Hosting or VPS (for larger or e-commerce sites): SAR 1,000 – SAR 3,000+ per year
• Managed WordPress Hosting (with support & backups): SAR 500 – SAR 1,500+ per year

Some agencies bundle these into their packages, but even then, they renew annually so it’s part of your long-term cost of getting a website made. Make sure to budget for these ongoing services to keep your site live and secure.

Why Does Content Creation Matter and How Much Does It Cost?

Content creation plays a huge role in the cost of getting a website made because your design is just the shell, it’s the words, images, and videos that actually tell your story, connect with your audience, and guide people to take action. In Saudi Arabia, users expect both Arabic and English versions, so high-quality, well-translated content becomes even more important.

Why It Matters:

• SEO: Search engines rank your site based on your content. Without strategic content, your site might look nice but never get found.
• User Trust: Professionally written text builds credibility. Poor grammar or unclear messaging drives visitors away.
• Conversions: Good content turns visitors into customers by clearly explaining your offer and guiding action.
• Bilingual Needs: In Saudi Arabia, many websites require Arabic and English content, doubling the work if done right.

Price Ranges in Saudi Arabia:

• Basic Copywriting (per page): SAR 150 – SAR 500
• Full Website Content (5–10 pages): SAR 1,000 – SAR 5,000
• Bilingual Website Content (Arabic + English): SAR 2,000 – SAR 8,000+
• Professional Photography/Stock Licensing: SAR 500 – SAR 3,000
• Product Descriptions or Blog Content (optional): SAR 100 – SAR 500 per piece

So, content is not just a small detail, it directly impacts how effective and searchable your site is. That’s why it’s a key part of the overall cost of getting a website made.

Why Is SEO Important? And What Does It Have to Do with Speed & Mobile Responsiveness?

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is what makes your website visible to people searching on Google. Without it, even the most beautiful site can stay buried on page 5 of search results. So when thinking about the cost of getting a website made, SEO is not an optional add-on, it’s a critical part of your site’s performance and success.

Why SEO Matters:

• Visibility: SEO brings organic (free) traffic to your site without needing constant ad spend.
• Targeted Reach: It helps your site show up for the right people at the right time especially useful in Saudi Arabia’s growing digital market.
• Trust & Authority: Top-ranking sites are viewed as more trustworthy.

Connection with Website Speed & Mobile Responsiveness:

• Website Speed: Google prioritizes fast-loading websites. If your site is slow, visitors bounce and your rankings drop.
• Mobile Responsiveness: More than 70% of users in Saudi Arabia browse on mobile. If your site doesn’t adjust properly on phones, Google penalizes you and users leave quickly.

These technical factors are part of what’s called technical SEO, and they directly affect your ranking.

Does This Raise the Cost of SEO Services?

Yes, absolutely. When SEO providers work on improving speed, optimizing for mobile, compressing images, and fixing coding issues, it requires time, tools, and technical skill. That’s why:

• Basic SEO (on-page only): SAR 1,000 – SAR 3,000/month
• Advanced SEO (including speed, mobile, link building, content): SAR 4,000 – SAR 10,000+/month
• One-time SEO Audit + Fixes: SAR 2,000 – SAR 8,000 (depending on site size)

So when calculating the full cost of getting a website made, it’s smart to factor in technical SEO services if you want your site to actually perform, not just exist.

What About the Maintenance of the Website?

Website maintenance is often overlooked but it’s a critical ongoing part of the cost of getting a website made, especially in Saudi Arabia where businesses are expected to maintain a strong, secure, and fast digital presence.

Why Maintenance Matters:

• Security Updates: Keeps your site safe from hackers, especially if it's built on WordPress or has payment features.
• Bug Fixes & Backups: Ensures your website runs smoothly and can be restored quickly if anything goes wrong.
• Content Updates: Adding new products, blog posts, or promotions keeps your site fresh and SEO-friendly.
• Technical Performance: Regular checks help maintain fast load times and mobile responsiveness, which also affect your SEO ranking.

Typical Maintenance Costs in Saudi Arabia:

• Basic Maintenance (monthly updates, backups): SAR 300 – SAR 800/month
• Standard Plan (includes small content edits, plugin updates, security scans): SAR 800 – SAR 2,000/month
• Advanced Maintenance (with speed optimization, bilingual support, e-commerce care): SAR 2,000 – SAR 5,000+/month

Some agencies bundle maintenance into the ongoing cost of getting a website made, while others offer it as a separate service. Either way, regular upkeep protects your investment and ensures your site performs consistently over time.

The Real Value of a Great Website

The cost of getting a website made is just a number, but the worth of a really excellent website is something far more powerful. It's more than simply a digital brochure; it's your brand ambassador, your 24/7 salesperson, and your first impression combined. What an excellent website actually adds to is as follows: Credibility & Trust: Customers in Saudi Arabia's competitive market frequently do their research online before making a purchase. A professional, well-designed website shows your seriousness and reliability right away. Better Conversions: A well-designed website helps users take action, such as completing a form, scheduling a service, or making a purchase, by providing clear guidance. Scalability: A well-designed website expands to accommodate your company's needs. You can begin simply and grow over time by including services like blogs, e-commerce, or bilingual content without rebuilding everything. Organic Traffic & Visibility: A strong website draws in quality leads without requiring you to continuously spend for ads when optimized for search engines. Customer Convenience: Users can discover what they need more easily and return more often thanks to mobile responsiveness, quick loading times, and easy navigation. Competitive advantage: Not all Saudi Arabian companies are yet making the most of their internet presence. A great website makes you stand out, particularly when combined with customized UX and Arabic localization. Therefore, even though the cost of getting a website made might seem high at first, a well-designed and optimized website is actually one of the best long-term investments you can make because it will help you expand, make money, and dominate your market.

How to Budget Wisely

The goal of website budget planning is to find a balance between your immediate needs and what will provide the most value in the long run. This means staying away from both extremes in the Saudi Arabian market: underspending on a low-quality, cheap website or spending on things you won't use.

Specify Your Goals First

Are you creating a website to sell products, generate leads, or just promote your brand? The features and and the cost of getting a website made are determined by your objectives.

Separate Between one-time and ongoing expenses

One-time expenses include SEO setup, design, development, and the creation of initial content. Recurring expenses include domain registration, hosting, maintenance, SEO, and updates. Being aware of this helps you prevent financial surprises.

Prioritize Essentials

It is impossible to compromise on mobile responsiveness, SEO-friendly design, fast hosting, and strong security. If your budget permits, add things like advanced animations or complex integrations later.

Make a Content Plan

Make sure to budget for expert copywriting and top-notch visuals. They have a direct impact on how Google ranks you and how customers view your brand.

Take Scalability into Account

Choose a codebase or platform that will enable you to add extra features later on without having to completely rebuild. This lowers the cost of getting a website made in the future.

Get Multiple Quotes

Examine portfolios and post-purchase assistance in addition to prices from Saudi Arabian agencies and independent contractors.

Maintain a buffer

Budget an additional 10% to 20% for unexpected changes or enhancements you might want.

Final Thought

The cost of getting a website made in Saudi Arabia varies because every business has unique goals, features, and quality needs. From domain and hosting to content, SEO, and maintenance, each factor affects both price and long-term value. A great website is more than an expense, it’s an asset that builds trust, attracts the right audience, and drives growth. Budget wisely by focusing on essentials, planning for scalability, and balancing one-time with recurring costs. Done right, your investment will deliver results for years to come.

FAQs About The Cost Of Getting A Website Made:

What is the average cost of getting a website made in Saudi Arabia? The cost can range from SAR 1,500 for a basic template site to over SAR 100,000 for a fully custom web application. The final price depends on your site’s complexity, features, and design quality. Does the cost of making a website include SEO? Not always. Some developers only handle design and development, while SEO is offered as a separate service. Make sure to confirm if on-page SEO, speed optimization, and mobile responsiveness are included. How much should I budget for ongoing website costs? Expect to spend on domain renewal (SAR 50–300/year), hosting (SAR 200–3,000+/year), and maintenance (SAR 300–5,000+/month) to keep your site secure, fast, and updated. Can I reduce the cost of getting a website made by using templates? Yes. Templates can lower development costs, but you may sacrifice full customization and unique branding. They work well for small projects but may limit scalability. Why does content creation affect the cost of getting a website made? Content is what communicates your message and drives action. Professional copywriting, visuals, and bilingual text (Arabic/English) add to costs but greatly improve user trust and SEO performance.