Website planning and cost: straight answers
Clear answers for Indian business owners on what a website costs, what it should include, which platform to choose, and how domains, hosting and maintenance work.
Questions on this page
- How much does a business website cost in India?
- How much does a custom website cost vs a template?
- How long does it take to build a website?
- What should a business website include?
- What pages does a small business website need?
- Do I need a website if I have Instagram?
- Website vs Google Business Profile: which is more important?
- How do I choose a website design company?
- What questions should I ask a web design agency before hiring?
- WordPress vs custom website: which is better?
- React vs WordPress for a business website
- What is a landing page and when do I need one?
- What is a one-page website?
- How do I build a website for my clinic or hospital?
- How do I build a booking website?
- How do I build an e-commerce website in India?
- Shopify vs WooCommerce vs custom store: which should I choose?
- How do I accept online payments on my website in India?
- What is website maintenance and why do I need it?
- How much does website maintenance cost per year?
- What does website hosting cost in India?
- What is the best hosting for a business website?
- What is a domain name and how do I choose one?
- How do I buy a domain name in India?
- What happens if my domain expires?
How much does a business website cost in India?
A business website in India typically costs ₹5,000 to ₹5,00,000+, depending on the type, according to published Indian market guides. Basic static sites run ₹5,000 – ₹20,000, CMS sites ₹15,000 – ₹60,000, e-commerce ₹25,000 – ₹2,00,000 and custom web apps ₹75,000 – ₹5,00,000+. Page count, custom design, copywriting, booking or payment features and SEO set-up move the price. These are market ranges, not BRANDSWOT Consultancy prices; it quotes after a free audit of your scope.
How much does a custom website cost vs a template?
A template website usually costs ₹5,000 – ₹60,000 for a static or CMS site, while a custom website or web app runs ₹75,000 – ₹5,00,000+. Both are published Indian market ranges. Templates are faster and cheaper but look like competitors' sites and can carry unused code that slows pages. Custom builds fit your brand, content and features exactly. Choose a template for a simple brochure site and go custom when design, speed or special features drive sales.
How long does it take to build a website?
A simple business website usually takes two to four weeks, while e-commerce or custom builds often take six to twelve weeks or more. The biggest delays are usually on the business side: text, photos, logo files and approvals. A typical flow is discovery and sitemap, design mock-ups, development, content entry, mobile testing, then launch. Having your copy, images and domain access ready before work starts shortens the timeline.
What should a business website include?
A business website should include a clear headline on what you do and where, your services, proof like reviews, and easy contact options. Add a click-to-call button, a WhatsApp link, an enquiry form, your address with a Google Map and your business hours. Behind the scenes it needs fast mobile loading, SSL, SEO titles, analytics and schema markup so Google and AI engines understand it.
What pages does a small business website need?
Most small business websites need five core pages: Home, About, Services, Contact and a proof page with work, reviews or case studies. Add one page per main service or location you want to rank for, such as "Dental implants in Anantapur". An FAQ page, privacy policy and terms page are useful too. Keep each page focused on one topic, with one clear action like Call, WhatsApp or Book.
Do I need a website if I have Instagram?
Yes, most businesses still need a website even with an active Instagram account. Instagram is rented space: the algorithm controls your reach, and your page is hard to find on Google or ChatGPT. A website ranks in search, holds detailed service and price information, collects enquiries and builds trust with customers who check you before calling. Use Instagram to attract attention and the website to convert it. BRANDSWOT Consultancy builds both to work together.
Website vs Google Business Profile: which is more important?
For local businesses, a Google Business Profile often brings the first calls faster, but a website helps that profile rank and convert better. The profile shows on Google Maps and local results with reviews, hours and directions. The website gives Google more detail to trust, ranks for wider searches and handles bookings or payments. Start with a fully completed profile, then link it to a fast website with service and location pages.
How do I choose a website design company?
Choose a website design company by checking live sites they have built and asking who owns the code and domain. Confirm they handle speed, SEO and mobile, not just looks. Ask for a written scope with page count, revisions, timeline and payment terms. Check whether they write content, set up analytics and offer maintenance. Avoid anyone who promises guaranteed rankings. BRANDSWOT Consultancy's work is on its Work page for comparison.
What questions should I ask a web design agency before hiring?
Ask who will own the domain, hosting, code and design files once you pay in full. Then ask what is in the scope, how many revision rounds you get and who writes the content. Ask whether the site is mobile-first, whether SEO and schema are included, and what maintenance costs after launch. Ask to see three live sites they built, and get every answer in a written quote before paying an advance.
WordPress vs custom website: which is better?
Neither is better for every business. WordPress suits content-heavy sites you want to edit yourself, while a custom build suits sites needing top speed, unique design or special features. WordPress is cheaper to start and has many plugins, but needs regular updates to stay secure. Custom sites can be faster and leaner but may need a developer for changes. Decide based on who will update the site, your budget and the features you need.
React vs WordPress for a business website
React suits fast, app-like websites with custom features, while WordPress suits businesses that want to edit pages and blogs themselves without a developer. A well-built React site, pre-rendered as static pages, can load very quickly and has no public admin panel to attack. WordPress offers easy editing and plugins but needs regular updates and security care. If you choose React, make sure pages are pre-rendered so Google and AI engines can read the content.
What is a landing page and when do I need one?
A landing page is a single focused web page built for one goal, such as getting a call, form fill or booking from one campaign. Unlike a homepage, it removes menus and distractions and speaks to one offer and one audience. You need one when running Google or Meta ads, launching a product or promoting a seasonal offer like a festival discount. Matching each ad group to its own landing page helps cut wasted ad spend.
What is a one-page website?
A one-page website puts all key content, such as services, reviews and contact details, on a single scrolling page. Menu links jump to each section. It suits new businesses, single-service providers, events and portfolios that need to launch quickly on a small budget. The trade-off is SEO: one page can rank for far fewer searches than a site with separate service pages.
How do I build a website for my clinic or hospital?
Build a clinic or hospital website around how patients choose: doctor profiles and qualifications, departments, timings, location and a fast way to book or call. Add click-to-call, WhatsApp, an appointment form, a Google Map and medical schema markup. Keep claims factual and follow National Medical Commission (NMC) rules: no guaranteed outcomes, before/after promises or testimonials presented as guarantees, and check current NMC guidance. BRANDSWOT Consultancy has built hospital sites such as Disha Hospital's.
How do I build a booking website?
Build a booking website by choosing the scheduling system first, then designing the pages around it. Options include a ready booking tool embedded in your site, a WordPress booking plugin, or a custom booking flow linked to your calendar and CRM. Key features are live slot availability, UPI or card payment for deposits, WhatsApp confirmations, reminders and easy rescheduling. For example, an astrologer or salon can sell paid slots online and reduce no-shows with automatic reminders.
How do I build an e-commerce website in India?
To build an e-commerce website in India, pick a platform like Shopify, WooCommerce or a custom build. Then set up products, a payment gateway, shipping and GST invoicing. Published Indian market ranges put e-commerce sites at ₹25,000 – ₹2,00,000, with Shopify store set-up at ₹50,000 – ₹1,20,000. You also need clear return, refund, privacy and shipping policies, a UPI-friendly checkout and courier integration. Good product photos and descriptions matter as much as the platform.
Shopify vs WooCommerce vs custom store: which should I choose?
Shopify suits most new Indian online stores, WooCommerce suits businesses already on WordPress, and a custom store suits unusual catalogues or workflows. Shopify is hosted, secure and quick to launch, but charges a monthly plan plus app fees. WooCommerce is free software but needs hosting, updates and security care. Custom builds cost the most and take longest, but fit complex pricing, B2B ordering or special integrations exactly.
How do I accept online payments on my website in India?
Accept online payments in India through an RBI-authorised payment gateway like Razorpay, PayU, Cashfree or PhonePe, connected to your website or store. You will need KYC documents such as PAN, a bank account, business proof and your GST certificate if registered. Enable UPI, cards, net banking and wallets. Publish clear refund, cancellation and privacy policies, since gateways usually check these before approval. For simple needs, a UPI payment link on WhatsApp also works.
What is website maintenance and why do I need it?
Website maintenance is the ongoing work that keeps your site secure, fast, working and current after launch. It includes software and plugin updates, backups, security monitoring, uptime checks, fixing broken forms or links, renewing SSL, domain and hosting, and small content changes. Without it, sites slow down, break or get hacked, often silently, and enquiries stop. BRANDSWOT Consultancy offers monthly plans that combine maintenance with AI search care.
How much does website maintenance cost per year?
Website maintenance cost per year depends on the platform, site size and what is included. Ask for a written list of tasks rather than a single number. A small static site needs little beyond hosting, domain and SSL renewal. A WordPress or e-commerce site needs plugin updates, backups, security scans and support hours, which cost more. Check whether content edits, SEO monitoring and emergency fixes are covered or billed extra.
What does website hosting cost in India?
Website hosting cost in India depends on the type: shared hosting is cheapest, cloud or VPS costs more, and dedicated servers cost the most. Static sites can often be hosted on modern platforms at very low cost, while WordPress and e-commerce sites need more resources. Look beyond the first-year offer, because renewal prices are often higher. Also check whether SSL, backups, email and servers near your customers are included.
What is the best hosting for a business website?
There is no single best hosting for every business website; the right choice depends on your platform, traffic and who manages it. Check four things: speed and server location close to your customers, automatic backups and free SSL, support that responds quickly, and honest renewal pricing. Static or React sites suit CDN-based hosts, while WordPress suits managed WordPress hosting. BRANDSWOT Consultancy is one option for set-up and management; see its Work page.
What is a domain name and how do I choose one?
A domain name is your website's address, such as yourbusiness.com or yourbusiness.in, that people type to reach you. Choose one that is short, easy to spell and say aloud, and matches your brand name. Prefer .com or .in for an Indian business, avoid hyphens and numbers, and check that matching social media handles are free. Always register it in your own name, not your developer's.
How do I buy a domain name in India?
Buy a domain name in India from an ICANN-accredited registrar or reseller. Search for the name, add it to the cart and pay by UPI or card. .in domains are run by NIXI and sold through accredited registrars. Register it with your own name and email, turn on auto-renew, and enable the registrar lock and two-factor login. Buy several years upfront if you plan to keep it, and never let a developer hold the account.
What happens if my domain expires?
If your domain expires, your website and business email stop working, usually soon after the expiry date. Most registrars offer a grace period to renew at the normal price, then a redemption period where recovery costs extra. After that, the domain is released and anyone, including a competitor, can buy it. You can also lose rankings and links built over years. Turn on auto-renew, keep your payment method updated and keep the account in your own name.