How Much Does Static Website Development Cost?

A static website means a website with fixed content. It shows the same pages to every visitor. The pages are built using HTML, CSS, and sometimes JavaScript. 

The website does not use a database or server-side processing. Content changes only when a developer edits the files. Static websites load fast, stay secure, and cost less to host. 

They work best for business websites, landing pages, portfolios, and informational sites where content does not change often.

A one-page static website is the cheapest option, but it is not always cheap. Many developers shared that charging under $300 quickly becomes painful once copy edits and layout changes begin. That is why most professionals start at $300 to $500, even for a single page.

Here’s a developer sharing a rough budget for static website development on Reddit:

The cost rises to $2,000 or more when the page requires strong visuals, fast loading, and a clean mobile layout. The work is often less about coding and more about polishing details.

Small business static websites usually have three to five pages, like Home, About, Services, and Contact. Globally, these sites often cost between $500 and $3,000.

Developers repeatedly said that page count matters less than client behavior. Two clients asking for the same five pages can create very different workloads depending on how clear their feedback is and how often changes come in.

Content-heavy static websites cost the most. These include company sites, large informational websites, and static blogs without a CMS.

Pricing usually starts around $3,000 and can go up to $6,000. 

One Reddit discussion highlighted that a ten-page static website can range from $500 per page to $5,000 total, depending on selling skill and client expectations. The main effort here goes into content structure, layout reuse, and review cycles.

Developers do not price static websites by pages. They price them by responsibility. Bigger companies pay more for the same site because approvals take longer and expectations are higher.

This is why senior developers strongly advise against per-page pricing.

The cost to launch a static website is separate from development. A domain name usually costs around $10 to $15 per year.

Hosting is often free for most static websites. Platforms like Netlify and Cloudflare Pages allow developers to run static sites for years without paying anything. 

Here are the details on saving static site hosting costs from a developer on Reddit. 

A developer publicly shared on LinkedIn that she runs dozens of static websites for under $1 per month in total. The main cost was the domain.

Hosting costs rise only when traffic or file size increases significantly. Even then, static hosting usually stays under $10 to $20 per month. Shared/VPS or cloud servers typically start around $5–$10/month for low usage, up to $40–$100+ per month for larger apps

Static websites still need updates. Clients often ask for text changes, image updates, or form fixes. Because of this, many developers charge maintenance.

A DIY-maintained site might cost as little as $5–$20/month (just renewals). 

Many freelancers offer support plans for about $50–$75/month (roughly $600–$900/year) that include regular backups, updates, and minor fixes. Some charge a flat $300–$400/year for basic care. 

Globally, basic maintenance usually costs $100 to $300 per year, depending on the level of support included.

Many developers warned beginners about pricing mistakes that cause long-term problems.

• Working for free reduces perceived value. 

It also attracts clients who do not respect time or boundaries. Experienced developers on Reddit say that once you do one free project, more people expect the same.

• Very low pricing leads to unlimited changes.

Clients feel they can keep asking because the work feels cheap. This often turns small static sites into long, stressful projects.

• Ignoring setup, testing, and hosting time causes losses. Beginners often price only for coding and forget time spent on deployment, fixes, and handover.
• Not defining the scope creates stress even on simple projects. Developers shared that an unclear scope causes more problems than technical work.
• Several experienced developers said charging even a few hundred dollars builds respect. It sets clear boundaries and makes clients make decisions faster.

Hourly pricing works best when the scope is unclear. It protects developers when requirements change during the project.

Fixed pricing works well when pages and features are locked from the start. This is common for small static websites with clear requirements.

Real hourly rates shared by developers globally show a wide range.

• Beginners usually charge around $40 to $50 per hour.
• Freelancers often charge $90 to $150 per hour
• Agencies charge $120 to $250 per hour for senior work.

Some developers shared real cases where a single static page cost $10,000 or more when billed hourly for large companies. The page itself was simple, but reviews, approvals, and stakeholder feedback added many hours.

The key lesson developers repeated is this. Pricing depends more on client type and responsibility than on how simple the website looks.

At Tenet, we offer website design services that help businesses build static websites as strong growth foundations. Our team uses UX research, clean design, and performance focused development to create fast and secure websites that load quickly and drive action.

We work with global teams to remove guesswork, reduce friction, and design experiences that support long-term growth. If you want a static website built with clarity, speed, and measurable outcomes in mind, Tenet offers a structured, dependable approach at an affordable price.

If you are planning a static website and want clear pricing, we can help. Share your goals, page count, and timeline Our team will review your needs and suggest the best approach.

👉 Get in touch with our development team and get a free proposal and detailed quotation with no obligation.