“How much does a website cost?” is the first question almost every business owner in Dubai asks, and the honest answer is: it depends on what the website needs to do. Ask five providers and you may get five very different numbers for what sounds like the same project.
Rather than quote a number that wouldn’t fit your project, this guide explains what actually changes the price, so you can read any quote with confidence.
The 8 things that change the price of a website
1. Number of pages and templates
A one-page landing page and a 30-page corporate site are different projects. What matters most is how many unique layouts need designing; ten service pages that share one template cost far less than ten pages that each look different.
2. Custom design or a template
A template is faster and cheaper, but you’ll look like everyone else using it. A custom design is built around your brand and your customers, and it’s usually where the difference between “a website” and “a website that sells” comes from.
3. Languages
An English and Arabic website is close to two sites: two sets of content, mirrored layouts, RTL testing and bilingual SEO. It’s worth it in the UAE, but it should be planned from the start. See my RTL checklist for bilingual websites.
4. E-commerce
Online stores need product set-up, payment gateways, shipping rules, VAT, emails and a lot of testing. The platform matters too; here’s my comparison of WordPress vs Shopify for UAE businesses.
5. Features and integrations
Booking systems, CRM connections, WhatsApp, payment links, member areas, calculators and custom forms each add design, build and testing time.
6. Content
Who writes the text and supplies the photos? Copywriting, translation and photography are often the hidden part of a quote, or the reason a project stalls.
7. SEO and speed
A site that looks good but loads slowly and isn’t structured for Google is cheaper to build and expensive to own. Technical SEO, schema and Core Web Vitals work should be part of the build, not an add-on.
8. Hosting and care after launch
Hosting, backups, updates and security are ongoing costs. Some quotes include them, many don’t. Always ask.
Why quotes in Dubai vary so much
- Different scopes. One quote may include content, SEO and training; another may be design only.
- Template vs custom. A low quote is often a theme with your logo dropped in.
- Who does the work. Agencies carry account managers and offices; freelancers don’t, but you should check they cover the whole job.
- What happens after launch. A cheap build with expensive changes later isn’t cheap.
How to compare quotes fairly
| Ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Is the price fixed for an agreed scope? | Hourly billing makes the final cost unpredictable |
| Is it custom design or a theme? | Explains most of the price difference |
| Is SEO set-up included? | Titles, schema, sitemap, redirects and speed |
| Who owns the site, domain and hosting? | You should own everything |
| What do changes cost after launch? | Avoids surprises later |
| Are hosting and maintenance included? | Often priced separately |
The cheapest website is the one you only have to build once.
How I price projects
After a short call about your goals, pages and features, you get a written scope with a fixed price and timeline, so there are no hourly surprises. Hosting and care plans are separate and optional. You own the domain, hosting, content and admin access. More answers are in the FAQ, and you can see recent work on the projects page.
Want a fixed quote for your website? Message me on WhatsApp or send a project enquiry. I reply within one working day.
