A website is a critical aspect of any business or organization in today's digital age. A well-designed website can make the difference between attracting customers and being overlooked. Singapore is known for its thriving tech industry and innovation, and the cost of building a website services is no exception.
In 2024, the cost of building a website in Singapore can vary greatly based on several factors such as the complexity of the project, the size of the company, and the level of expertise required. But in a time where GST and inflation are at an all-time high, is it still worth it to invest in a well-designed site? Absolutely. But I’ll get to that in a bit.
In this article, we will explore the current market prices for website services provided by agencies and freelancers in Singapore, as well as explore the feasibility of taking a more DIY approach.
Whether you're a small business owner or a multinational organisation looking to revamp your corporate website, understanding the cost of building a website in Singapore is crucial in ensuring that you get the most out of your investment.
Related: Discover our comprehensive guide on how to start a business in Singapore.
Who needs a website in Singapore?
1. Business owners who need a company website
A company website is a must-have for all business owners in the modern age. It serves as an online representation of the company. This allows businesses to showcase the brand, share company news, and provide a platform for their customers to reach out to them.
With a website, business owners can establish their brand, increase their visibility, and reach a wider audience, regardless of geographical location. A website also provides a valuable tool for businesses to market their products and services, but I’ll get to the specifics in a minute.
Whether you are a small business or enterprise owner, a website is absolutely necessary.
2. Those who need their own website as a professional portfolio
There’s only so much a resume can do for you when it comes to telling your story. With that limited amount of space and word count on the document, you aren’t really able to share all the exciting projects you’ve worked on.
Creating your own website to showcase your work is a great way to not only list your professional achievements but also share details about your work that would otherwise have been removed from your resume due to space constraints.
For instance, you get to talk in detail about the scope of work, how you came up with the strategy, a complete list of actions you took, obstacles you encountered along the way, how you solved them, and the results achieved.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. But a portfolio site with many pictures and graphics? Gosh, you’ll have enough words to write a script for a Hollywood film!
3. Personal or business bloggers
Blogging has become a popular way for individuals and businesses to share their thoughts, ideas, and experiences with the world. A website is a crucial tool for bloggers to reach a wider audience and showcase their content.
For personal bloggers, a website offers a platform to express their opinions and share their interests with a global audience. It provides them with a space to build their online presence and connect with others who share their passions. Personal bloggers can use their websites to establish their brand and establish themselves as experts in their field.
For business bloggers, a website is an essential tool for building their brand, generating leads, and growing their customer base. Business bloggers can use their websites to provide valuable information to their target audience, educate them about their products and services, and establish themselves as thought leaders in their industry. A website also provides a way for businesses to reach a larger audience and showcase their products and services to potential customers.
Whether it is for personal or business purposes, having a website is a critical tool for bloggers to showcase their content, build their brand, and connect with their audience.
Benefits of having a well-designed website in Singapore
1. Cementing an online presence
No business is complete without a website. If there’s anything the COVID-19 pandemic has taught businesses, it’s that they must cement an online presence. Or shut down.
Robinsons shut down its final store during the pandemic after a whopping 162 years of operations on this island. Prior to this, the brand had always had a heavier focus on its physical store and placed less emphasis on solidifying an online presence.
If it had started to build a robust online presence earlier, it could’ve avoided its fate. And that’s because customers would have already found an alternative and efficient channel to make purchases.
If you’re not in the commerce space, having a site also helps you achieve other marketing objectives like driving conversions in the form of newsletter subscriptions or product demo signups. If you are a business owner, establishing an online presence via a company website is absolutely necessary.
2. Growing your brand awareness through Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
Content published on a website is managed by a content management system (CMS). And the backend of CMSes allows you to upload written content and format certain HTML elements like your header tags, meta description, and page title. Doing so not only gives Google a better idea of how your content is structured when its bots crawl your site.
The backend of an ideal Content Management System should make it super easy for you to assign header tags to structure your website’s content.
This forms a good foundation for your SEO efforts as Google is able to better understand your content and match its intent to the queries people are searching for in their browsers. And when they say content is king, they mean it.
Doing in-depth keyword research for topic clusters, publishing large amounts of content, and then ranking them for keywords, is a great way to drive organic traffic to your website and grow your online presence.
3. Creating a good impression and earning site visitors’ trust
A well-designed website is crucial for creating a good impression and earning the trust of site visitors. And this is more important for your digital marketing efforts than you think. A clean and user-friendly layout, along with engaging visuals and text are all important factors when it comes to creating a positive experience for visitors.
But to truly make an impact, you need to showcase your credentials and make yourself or your business appear professional and trustworthy. And this can be done in several ways.
The first way is to showcase certain badges accorded by credible sources in the industry. For example, those in the software-as-a-service (SaaS) world would be aware of the trust badges issued by G2, a world-renowned software review site. Having badges like these serve as great social proof of their product or service quality. You can see badges like these on many websites of startups.
Having a well-thought-out site would also include a section where they can list the brands they work with. This is especially important if the business has worked with big brands before. Site visitors can develop a greater sense of trust in the business.
Hiring software Workstream works with franchisees in the US to automate the hiring of hourly workers. And as you can see on their site, they list all the brands they’ve worked with. Some of which, are really established ones.
4. Lead generation
A well-designed website can play a crucial role in helping a business generate leads. Having a website that is visually appealing, easy to navigate, and provides a positive user experience can increase the chances of attracting potential customers and driving conversions.
Your leads can come in the form of newsletter subscriptions, product demo signups, or webinar registration.
This can be done by incorporating specific lead generation tactics, such as lead capture forms, click-to-call widgets, chatbots, or live chat. In this way, a well-designed website can serve as a powerful tool for driving growth and success for a business.
Factors affecting the cost of website design in Singapore?
1. Presence of complex functionality
Depending on the need for specific website functionality, developing and designing your site can get a little more complex.
And online calculators, are a great example.
Singapore Airlines, for example, has a miles calculator on their site. Apart from needing to think about the aesthetic side of things, their web designers also need to consider the user experience (UX) of an online application. That’s a field that many web designers may not have and adds another layer of complexity to the process.
2. Experience level of the person or web design agency doing it
If you do decide to outsource the web design work to an independent contractor or web design agency, the prices you’ll be quoted can vary greatly. More experienced contractors and freelancers tend to charge more for their work. So will more established agencies.
3. Web hosting
A website consists of several different computer files that need to be stored somewhere. And that somewhere, is a web server.
Getting web hosting from hosting providers like GoDaddy is the first step to establishing your online presence.
Web hosting involves paying a company such as GoDaddy to host your website on their servers on your behalf. The cost of hosting varies greatly – currently, in Singapore, the costs range between SGD 8 and SGD 35 per month (excluding virtual private servers and dedicated servers), although there are special offers that can make set-up costs for your site lower.
Web hosting prices vary so much because of the different types of packages on offer, and the package you need will depend on your business requirements.
General rule of thumb. Go for the options that best serve your needs. If you are running an e-commerce store, then an e-commerce-specific web hosting plan would be more suitable. And e-commerce platforms like Shopify or EasyStore would be your go-to CMSes. Oh, and please do not go for a free web hosting plan. It is bad for your site.
4. Website security
You need to ensure your site is secure. It's highly recommended to use an SSL certificate to protect your website, and you might also consider investing in additional website security software.
SSL certificates are important because they protect user data by encrypting the connection between a server and a browser, ensuring privacy and security.
In Singapore, the cost of SSL certificates varies based on the level of security and the provider. Basic SSL certificates can start from around SGD 50 per year, while more advanced options can go up to SGD 500 per year. It's important to choose a certificate that fits your specific security needs and budget.
5. Domain names
Buying the right domain name is vital because it will become an important part of your business’s identity.
In terms of price, the cost of your domain name will depend on the domain extension you pick (.com, .info, and so on). In Singapore, you can expect to pay around SGD 10 to SGD 20 per year for a .com domain and SGD 30 per year for a .sg domain. There are special offers that can bring the cost down, and some domain extensions can cost much more per year. For instance, an .ai domain can cost more due to its high demand for AI projects, making it a more expensive extension.
Caption: Purchasing a domain from GoDaddy grants you access to GoDaddy Airo, an AI-powered suite of features that help you set up an online business.
Try GoDaddy’s AI domain generator to find available domain names and choose the right one for your business. Your new domain will come with GoDaddy Airo – our AI-powered solution that instantly creates a website, logo, email, and more for your brand.
The design work isn’t the only thing that will cost you. When building a website, you will also need to think about things like which web hosting company you will go for, and which content management system (CMS) you will choose to manage your web pages. And let’s get started on picking the right domain name.
Other costs to consider when running a website
Depending on the type of website that you're running, there can be other costs to building a website, including:
- Plugins and Extensions: To add specific functionalities to your website, you may need to buy premium plugins or extensions that aren't available for free.
- Email Hosting: If you want a professional email address that matches your domain name (e.g., info@yourbusiness.com), you may need to purchase email hosting.
- Analytics Software: To track your website's performance and user behavior, you might invest in advanced analytics tools beyond the free ones available.
- Legal: Depending on the nature of your business and website, you may need to consider costs relating to copyright, compliance, or consultation with a legal expert, particularly for privacy policies, terms of service, and GDPR compliance.
Website design pricing at a glance: Web Designer vs Website Builder vs WordPress
| Feature | With a web designer | With GoDaddy's Website Builder (Basic) | With WordPress |
| Design | $200+ | n/a | n/a |
| Website Builder annual cost | n/a | $143.88 | n/a |
| Web hosting | $150+ | included | $143.88 |
| Domain name | $20/year | $20/year | $20/year |
| SSL certificate | $70/year | included | $70/year |
| Maintenance | $200/year | n/a | n/a |
| Cost in first year | $640 | $163.88 | $233.88 |
| Ongoing annual cost | $440 | $163.88 | $233.88 |
A website builder, a web designer, and WordPress can all help you to create a great website. The main advantage of a website builder is that it is cheaper, while a web designer will help you achieve a unique look for your site. WordPress is another excellent DIY option with a much wider range of options versus a website builder.
Pros and cons of different web design service providers
1. Hiring a web design agency
Hiring a website design firm in Singapore is approximately SGD 6,000 and typically includes an annual website design fee of SGD 1,000.
Always get quotes from multiple providers with client testimonials to compare prices.
The cost is contingent on the number of pages your website has, the types of modifications requested, and the specific functionality you need. It's also important to factor in the necessary website builder and software tools for website creation.
| Pros | Cons |
| You have a team of experts working on your website. | It is (very) expensive. |
| A web design agency also often doubles as a web development agency and can help you with performance issues and UI/UX. This includes a dedicated project manager. | You may be able to only request a limited number of revisions. |
| Many web design agencies also have digital marketing capabilities. This helps ensure that your site is SEO-friendly. Depending on your package, some even help you write and publish search-optimised content. |
2. Freelancers or independent contractors
The hourly rate for a professional web designer varies between SGD 25 and SGD 200 (yes, that’s a huge range). And this depends on factors such as their location, experience, technical skills, and level of proficiency.
Always ask freelancers to show you their portfolio before signing a contract with them.
On average, an experienced designer can be hired for around SGD 75 per hour. Of course, the larger the number of pages you need, the more expensive it will be.
They also tend to be more flexible and more willing to give in to customer demands than web development agencies. Especially those you find on freelancing platforms. This is due to the importance of customer reviews in helping them get more clients.
| Pros | Cons |
| (Can be) much cheaper. | Good ones are (very) expensive. |
| Likely to provide a larger number of revisions to their designs. | May not be able to provide support areas such as web development and marketing as they don’t always work with a team of people. |
3. DIY
Designing a website on your own in Singapore can be a cost-effective option, but it still requires some expenses for hosting, domain names, and website builders.
The cost of hosting your website can range from around SGD 10 to SGD 50 per month, depending on the type of hosting service you choose and the size of your website. For example, shared hosting is typically more affordable, while dedicated hosting is more expensive.
A domain name typically costs around SGD 10 to SGD 15 per year. Some website builders offer a free domain name when you sign up for an annual plan, so be sure to check for any such deals.
Website builders usually charge a monthly fee, ranging from SGD 5 to SGD 50 or more, depending on the features and tools you require. Some website builders like GoDaddy offer free plans with limited features, while others, such as WordPress, offer a free platform but charge for certain plugins and themes.
While the cost of building a website can vary, it is still cheaper than the previously mentioned options given that you don’t pay for the man-hours needed to do the work since you are designing the site yourself.
| Pros | Cons |
| Cheapest option of all. | If you are new to it, learning how to do it from scratch can be super time-consuming. |
| Complete freedom to do whatever you want | You are uncertain about determining things like the best hosting provider, website builder, and domain registrar. |
How much does it cost to design a website with GoDaddy?
In Singapore, the cost of creating a website with GoDaddy varies based on the plan you choose. The Basic plan starts at SGD 9.99 per month, the Premium plan costs SGD 14.99 per month, and the E-commerce plan is priced at SGD 20.99 per month, with all prices based on annual subscriptions.
These plans include web hosting, mobile editing, and marketing tools, making GoDaddy a cost-effective option for building a website.
| Service Provider | Initial Cost | Ongoing Cost |
| Web Design Agency | SGD 6,000 | SGD 1,000 annually |
| Freelancers/Independent Contractors | Varies (SGD 25 - SGD 200/hour) | Varies (dependent on project scope) |
| DIY (Do It Yourself) | Hosting: SGD 10 - SGD 50/month | Domain: SGD 10 - SGD 15/yearWebsite Builder: SGD 5 - SGD 50/month |
| With GoDaddy's Website Builder | N/A | SGD 9.99 - SGD 29.99/month |
| With WordPress | Hosting: SGD 10 - SGD 50/month | Domain: SGD 10 - SGD 15/yearAdditional Plugins: Varies |
Website costs by business type
The cost for a website depends heavily on the functionality required for the website. This includes ecommerce capabilities, number of pages and content types used (videos, podcasts, image galleries, etc). Check out the table below for very generalized pricing based on business type.
| Business Type | With a Web Designer | With GoDaddy's Website Builder | With WordPress |
| Small business website | SGD 864+ | SGD 194.65 | SGD 194.65 |
| Small to medium ecommerce site | SGD 6,750+ | SGD 405.28 | SGD 276.01 |
| Large-scale ecommerce site | SGD 13,500+ | SGD 486.71 | SGD 486.71 |
| Large bespoke business site | SGD 20,250+ | SGD 486.71 | SGD 486.71 |
Design your dream website with GoDaddy today
Whether you are a small business owner looking to grow your online presence or a freelancer who needs a professional website to showcase your work, has just the right tools for you.
With plenty of custom designs and templates, hosting plan options and more, you no longer have to sacrifice quality just because it doesn’t fit your budget.
The best part? Your website cost is kept at a minimum until you are ready to make a heavier commitment. Create your own website today with GoDaddy’s Website Builder! It’s easier than you think.
Pricing is correct at the time of publishing and do not include any special promotions or discounts. Be sure to check current prices.
FAQ about website costs
Can you build a website for free?
Yes, a business owner can technically build a website for free using various website building platforms. For instance, WordPress.com offers free plans. However, these free plans come with limitations such as subdomains (e.g., yourwebsite.wordpress.com), lack of customization, limited storage, and often the presence of ads on your website. So while a free plan might suffice for a small or start-up business, as the business grows, using a paid hosting plan would be necessary to provide a more professional appearance and enhanced functionality.
How much does it cost to create a one-page website?
The cost of creating a website can vary greatly depending on several factors such as the platform you use, design complexity, additional functionalities, and whether you hire a professional web developer. In general, you can expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $5,000 for a one-page website. However, there are a number of ways to reduce the cost, such as:
- Using a website builder
- Hiring a freelancer or small agency
- Doing some or all of the work yourself
Is it worth having a website for a small business?
Absolutely, having a website for a small business is worth it and highly recommended. A website offers several benefits:
- Accessibility: Your potential customers can learn about your business, products or services any time, from anywhere.
- Credibility: A professional-looking website can enhance your business reputation and instill trust in potential customers.
- Marketing: A website is a powerful marketing tool where you can promote your business widely and cost-effectively. It also allows for digital marketing strategies such as SEO, content marketing, and email marketing to attract more customers.
- Sales: With an ecommerce functionality, a website can act as an additional sales channel, allowing customers to purchase directly from you 24/7.
- Customer Service: You can provide improved customer service through a website by offering FAQ sections, chatbots, or forums where customers can get answers to their queries.
- Business Growth: A website helps you reach a wider audience, expand your customer base, and drive business growth.
Remember, your competitors are likely to have a web presence. A well-designed, user-friendly website can give your business a competitive edge.
How much does it cost to run a website for 1 year?
The cost of running a website for 1 year varies widely, depending on several elements. Depending on your business' needs, a paid website can cost anywhere from $190 per year to thousands of dollars.
This article also contains content written by Stacey Hartman.
