If you are asking how much a website costs in Mumbai, you have probably already noticed that the answers vary wildly. One person says a few thousand rupees, another says several lakhs. Both can be telling the truth, because they are describing very different things.
This guide explains what actually drives the price, so you can read any quote with confidence. It does not give a fixed price list, because honest pricing depends on your needs. If you want our own plans, see our pricing page.
The short answer
A website can cost almost nothing if you build it yourself on a free or low-cost builder. It can cost a lot if you want a fully custom design, many pages and special features. Most small businesses fall somewhere in the middle, and the right choice depends on what you need the site to do.
The best way to think about price is to ask: what should this website do for my business? A site that only needs to show your address and phone number is a very different job from a site that has to rank on Google, explain ten services and collect enquiries.
Four ways to get a website
1. Build it yourself
Website builders let you pick a template and fill in your content. The upfront cost is low, and it can be a good start if you have time and a simple need. The downsides: designs look similar to many other sites, speed and SEO settings take effort to get right, and you spend your own time.
2. Hire a freelancer
A freelancer can be a flexible and affordable choice. Quality varies a lot, so look at their past work on a real phone. Ask who will be available if something breaks six months later. A freelancer often works alone, so availability matters.
3. Work with a small studio
A small studio usually offers design, development, basic SEO and support together. You get a team rather than one person, which helps if you also need help with Google, ads or content. Prices are usually higher than a freelancer’s, but you often get more structure and clearer hand-over.
4. Large agency or fully custom build
This suits companies with complex needs, many users or special integrations. For most small businesses it is more than they need.
What changes the price
When you request a quote, these are the things that move the number up or down:
- Number of pages. A five-page site is a smaller job than a thirty-page site. Each service, location or product that needs its own page adds work.
- Custom design. A design made from scratch for your brand takes more time than a simple, clean layout.
- Content. Who writes the text and who provides photos? Writing good copy takes time, and professional photos cost extra.
- Features. Contact forms are simple. Online booking, payments, member logins and product catalogues add cost.
- SEO set-up. Titles, descriptions, speed, structure and sitemaps take work. A site that looks good but is not set up for Google may cost less, but it is harder to find.
- Speed of delivery. A tight deadline can cost more.
- Revisions. The more rounds of changes you want, the more time is needed.
Costs people forget
Many people compare only the build price. Check these as well:
- Domain name. You pay yearly to keep your web address. Make sure it is registered in your name.
- Hosting. Your website needs a place to live online. Some hosting is free for simple sites; other plans are paid monthly or yearly.
- Business email. An address like you@yourbusiness.in often costs extra.
- Maintenance and updates. Someone has to keep the site working and secure.
- Photos and logo. If you need them made, add this to the budget.
- Content updates. Find out whether small text changes are free or charged.
- Taxes. GST may apply to the services you buy. Ask whether the quote includes it.
At AceGrow, domain name and hosting are paid by the client directly, so you stay in control of them. We think this is a fairer way to work, because your accounts remain yours.
How to compare quotes properly
Put two or three quotes side by side and check:
- How many pages are included, and what is on each?
- Is it mobile-friendly? Ask to see an example on a phone.
- Is SEO included? Ask what exactly: titles, descriptions, speed, sitemap, Google Search Console set-up?
- Who owns the website and domain after you pay?
- What is the timeline, and what do you need to provide?
- What happens after launch? Is there support, and for how long?
- What will you pay next year?
A quote that cannot answer these questions clearly is a warning sign, however low the price.
Red flags to watch for
- A price that sounds too good, with no list of what is included
- No examples of their work you can open and test on your own phone
- The developer registers your domain in their own name
- No mention of speed, mobile display or SEO
- Pressure to pay everything immediately, with no written agreement
- Promises of “number 1 on Google” as part of a basic website package. Nobody can honestly guarantee this
Should you pay more for SEO?
If customers find you by searching on Google, then yes, SEO is worth planning for from the start. Fixing a site after it has been built is usually harder than building it properly the first time. A good website for a local business should have clear service pages, a fast load time and a connected Google Business Profile. Our guide to ranking on Google Maps in Mumbai explains how the two work together.
If you are still unsure whether you need a website at all, read Do I need a website if I already have Instagram?
What to prepare before you ask for quotes
You will get better, more comparable quotes if you can answer these questions:
- What does your business sell or offer, and to whom?
- Which pages do you think you need (home, services, about, contact)?
- Do you have a logo, photos and text ready, or do you need help?
- Do you need people to book, pay or message you through the site?
- Which websites do you like, and why?
- When would you like to launch?
Where AceGrow fits
We build fast, mobile-friendly websites with SEO built in, for businesses in Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai. We keep our plans simple and confirm everything in writing before we start. You can see what is included on our website development page and what affects our pricing on the pricing page.
If you want a second opinion on a quote you have already received, send it to us on WhatsApp. We will tell you honestly whether it looks fair, even if you do not choose us.