If you’re searching for Edmonton web design prices, you’ve probably noticed nobody wants to give you a straight answer. Here’s the honest breakdown of what website design actually costs in Edmonton. No discovery calls required.
Edmonton Web Design Prices at a Glance (2026)
| Option | Cost Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| DIY Website Builders | $150 - $600/year | Side projects, testing ideas |
| Freelance Web Designer | $1,500 - $5,000 | Small businesses, tight budgets |
| Local Web Design Agency | $3,500 - $15,000+ | Established businesses, complex needs |
| Large/National Agency | $10,000 - $50,000+ | Enterprise, major corporations |
Most Edmonton small businesses, whether you’re in downtown, Sherwood Park, St. Albert, or the surrounding area, land somewhere in the $1,500 to $5,000 range for a professional website that actually generates leads.
But those numbers don’t tell the whole story. Let me explain what actually affects the price, and what you’re really paying for.
What Drives Website Costs in Edmonton?
1. Who Builds It
This is the biggest factor. A website that costs $1,500 from a freelancer might cost $8,000 from an agency, for essentially the same end result.
Why the difference?
Agencies have overhead: office space, account managers, project coordinators, and multiple specialists working on your project. That’s not necessarily bad. Sometimes you need that structure. But for most small businesses, it’s paying for things that don’t improve your website.
Freelancers and independent developers have lower overhead, which translates to lower prices. The trade-off is you’re working with one person instead of a team.
2. Number of Pages
A 5-page website costs less than a 15-page website. Simple math.
But here’s something most agencies won’t tell you: more pages isn’t always better. A focused 5-6 page website that’s strategically designed often outperforms a sprawling 20-page site that dilutes your message.
For most service businesses, you need:
- Home page
- About page
- Services page (or individual service pages)
- Contact page
- Maybe a portfolio or testimonials page
That’s it. Don’t let anyone upsell you on pages you don’t need.
3. Custom Design vs. Templates
A fully custom design (where a designer creates every element from scratch specifically for your brand) costs more than customizing a pre-built template.
Custom design: $3,000 - $15,000+ Template customization: $1,500 - $4,000
For most small businesses, a professionally customized template is the sweet spot. You get a unique-looking site without paying for 40 hours of design work.
4. Functionality and Features
Basic brochure website? Affordable.
E-commerce with inventory management, booking systems, membership areas, or custom integrations? The price climbs fast.
Common features and their rough cost impact:
- Contact forms: Usually included
- Blog: Usually included
- Basic SEO setup: Should be included (watch out for agencies that charge extra)
- E-commerce (simple): Add $1,000 - $3,000
- Booking/scheduling system: Add $500 - $1,500
- Custom functionality: Varies wildly
5. Timeline
Need it in two weeks? Expect to pay a rush fee.
Standard timelines in Edmonton:
- Simple websites: 2-4 weeks
- Professional business sites: 4-6 weeks
- Complex/e-commerce: 6-12 weeks
Detailed Cost Breakdown: Your Options in Edmonton
Option 1: DIY Website Builders (Wix, Squarespace, etc.)
Cost: $150 - $600/year Timeline: Days to weeks (depending on your skills)
What you get:
- Drag-and-drop editing
- Pre-made templates
- Hosting included
- Basic features
The reality check:
Website builders have gotten better, but they still have serious limitations for businesses:
- You’re renting, not owning. Stop paying? Your site disappears. Those monthly fees never end.
- Performance issues. Builder sites are notoriously slow. Studies show 53% of visitors leave sites that take over 3 seconds to load.
- SEO limitations. Builders restrict what you can optimize, hurting your Google rankings.
- Generic look. Everyone’s using the same templates.
Best for: Testing a business idea, personal projects, or if you genuinely enjoy building websites yourself.
Not ideal for: Businesses that depend on their website for leads.
Option 2: Freelance Web Designer
Cost: $1,500 - $5,000 Timeline: 2-6 weeks
What you get:
- Custom or semi-custom design
- Professional development
- Direct communication with who’s building your site
- Usually lower overhead = better value
What to look for:
- Portfolio of similar work
- Clear process and timeline
- Transparent pricing (no surprises)
- Good communication during the quote process
The trade-off:
You’re working with one person. If they get sick, go on vacation, or get busy, your project might slow down. But for most small business projects, this isn’t a major risk.
Option 3: Edmonton Web Design Agencies
Cost: $3,500 - $15,000+ Timeline: 6-12 weeks
Local Edmonton agencies typically charge anywhere from $3,500 for basic sites up to $15,000+ for more complex projects. Some agencies also charge ongoing monthly fees ranging from $100-$300 just for hosting and maintenance, and those costs add up significantly over time.
What you get:
- Team approach (designer, developer, project manager)
- More structured process
- Often includes strategy and consulting
- Potentially more resources for complex projects
The reality check:
Agencies aren’t automatically “better.” They’re just different. For a straightforward business website, you’re often paying for structure and overhead that doesn’t improve your end result.
Agencies make sense when:
- Your project is genuinely complex
- You need ongoing marketing services
- You prefer working with a team vs. an individual
- Budget isn’t a primary concern
Option 4: Large/National Agencies
Cost: $10,000 - $50,000+ Timeline: 3-6 months
What you get:
- Enterprise-level capabilities
- Large teams and resources
- Comprehensive strategy and research
The reality check:
If you’re a small Edmonton business, you probably don’t need this. These agencies serve corporations and enterprises with complex requirements. The prices reflect that scope, not necessarily quality for your needs.
The Hidden Costs Nobody Talks About
When comparing quotes, watch for these:
Monthly Fees
Some agencies charge $100 - $300/month just for your website to exist. Over 3 years, that’s $3,600 - $10,800 on top of your initial investment.
Hosting
- Cheap shared hosting: $5 - $15/month
- Quality managed hosting: $20 - $50/month
- Premium/enterprise: $100+/month
For most small businesses, $20-30/month gets you reliable, fast hosting.
Domain Name
Around $15 - $30/year for a .ca or .com domain. Some providers charge more, so don’t overpay.
SSL Certificate
Required for any modern website (the padlock in the browser). Many hosts include this free. If someone’s charging you $100+/year for SSL, that’s a red flag.
Content and Copywriting
Most quotes assume you’re providing the words. Professional copywriting adds $500 - $2,000+ depending on scope.
If you’re writing your own content, budget time for this. It always takes longer than expected.
Photography
Stock photos: $0 - $200 Professional photographer: $500 - $2,000+
Real photos of your business, team, and work almost always convert better than stock images.
Ongoing Maintenance
Websites need updates. Security patches. Occasional fixes.
- DIY maintenance: Free (but time-consuming)
- Basic maintenance plans: $50 - $150/month
- Comprehensive support: $200+/month
What Should an Edmonton Small Business Actually Pay?
Based on the current market and what actually delivers results:
Startup or Side Business: $1,500 - $2,000
You need a clean, professional presence that doesn’t break the bank. A good freelancer can deliver a 5-6 page website that looks professional and works on mobile.
Established Service Business: $2,000 - $4,000
You need something that actively generates leads, not just exists. This budget gets you custom design, proper SEO setup, and strategic planning around conversions.
Growing Business Ready to Compete: $4,000 - $6,000
More pages, more functionality, possibly local SEO for multiple service areas. This is where you’re investing in growth, not just presence.
E-Commerce: $4,500 - $10,000+
Online stores have more moving parts: product management, payment processing, shipping calculations, inventory. Expect to pay more for a store that actually functions well.
My Pricing: No Monthly Fees. You Own Everything.
Unlike many agencies that charge $100-$300/month just to keep your site running, I charge once. You own your website outright: no recurring fees, no lock-in contracts.
Starter Website: $1,500
- 5-6 custom pages
- Mobile-optimized design
- Contact forms and basic SEO
- 3-4 week timeline
Professional Website: $1,800 - $4,000
- 7-15 custom pages
- Full local SEO setup
- Conversion-focused design
- Strategic planning included
E-Commerce: $4,500 - $7,000
- Full online store setup
- Secure payment processing
- Inventory management
- Product pages and categories
What’s included in every project:
- Lifetime ownership (it’s yours forever)
- Mobile optimization
- Professional support
- 50% deposit to start, 50% at launch
- Payment plans available
I’m not the cheapest option in Edmonton, and I’m not trying to be. I’m also not charging agency rates for one person’s work. I aim for the middle: professional quality at fair prices, with no surprises.
Want to talk about your project? Get a free quote. No pressure, no obligation.
How to Evaluate a Web Design Quote
When you’re comparing options, look for:
1. Clear Scope
What exactly are you getting? How many pages? What features? What’s included vs. extra?
Vague quotes lead to surprise charges later.
2. Ownership
Do you own the website when it’s done? Can you move it to another host if needed? Some agencies keep you locked in.
3. Timeline
When will it actually be finished? What happens if there are delays?
4. Ongoing Costs
What will you pay after launch? Monthly fees? Hosting? Maintenance?
5. Communication Style
How did they handle the quote process? Were they responsive? Did they explain things clearly? That’s how the whole project will go.
The ROI Question: Is a Professional Website Worth It?
Here’s the math that matters:
Let’s say you’re a service business with an average job value of $500. A professional website that converts at 3% (decent, not exceptional) brings in 30 leads per month from 1,000 visitors.
If you close 30% of those leads, that’s 9 customers = $4,500/month.
A $3,000 website pays for itself in the first month, and keeps generating revenue for years.
Compare that to a cheap DIY site converting at 1%. Same traffic: 10 leads, 3 customers, $1,500/month.
The “expensive” website generates $3,000 more per month.
This isn’t hypothetical. Research shows even a 1% improvement in conversion rate can increase leads by 30-50%. Professional design, fast loading, and clear calls-to-action all directly impact your bottom line.
Red Flags When Shopping for Web Design
Watch out for:
- No portfolio or vague case studies. If they can’t show their work, why not?
- Pressure to sign immediately. Good designers are busy, but high-pressure tactics are a red flag.
- Unusually low quotes. $500 for a “custom” website means corners are being cut.
- Vague pricing. “It depends” without any ranges means surprises are coming.
- Long-term contracts required. Why would you need a 2-year contract for a website?
- They won’t show you the contract before you commit. You should see exactly what you’re signing before any money changes hands.
- They don’t ask about your business. Anyone jumping straight to design without understanding your goals won’t deliver results.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a basic website cost in Edmonton?
A basic 5-6 page business website in Edmonton typically costs between $1,500 and $3,000 when working with a freelancer, or $3,500 to $6,000+ through a local agency. DIY builders are cheaper upfront ($150-$600/year) but come with ongoing fees and limitations.
Should I hire a freelancer or agency for my website?
For most small businesses with straightforward needs, a freelancer offers better value. You get professional quality without paying for agency overhead. Agencies make more sense for complex projects requiring multiple specialists or ongoing marketing services.
What’s typically included in web design pricing?
Most quotes include design, development, mobile optimization, and basic on-page SEO. Watch for what’s not included: copywriting, photography, hosting, domain registration, and ongoing maintenance are often extra. Always ask for a detailed scope.
How long does it take to build a website?
Simple websites take 2-4 weeks. Professional business sites with more pages and features typically take 4-6 weeks. Complex projects or e-commerce sites can take 6-12 weeks. The biggest variable is usually how quickly you provide content and feedback.
Why do website prices vary so much?
The main factors are who builds it (freelancer vs. agency), how custom the design is, how many pages you need, and what functionality you require. A $2,000 website and a $10,000 website might look similar. The difference is often overhead and process, not quality.
Bottom Line
Web design in Edmonton costs anywhere from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands, but for most small businesses, the sweet spot is $1,500 to $4,000 for a professional website that actually generates leads.
The cheapest option rarely delivers the best value. But you also don’t need to pay agency rates for a straightforward business website.
What matters most:
- Clear ownership (no monthly fees to exist)
- Mobile-first, fast-loading design
- Built to convert visitors into customers
- Someone who understands your business and market
If you’re ready to talk about your project, I offer free consultations with no pressure and no sales pitch. Just an honest conversation about what you need and what it would cost.
