Creating a professional website in 2026 is no longer about having a digital presence.
It's about authority, positioning, performance, and conversion, pillars that determine how your business is perceived and how it grows.

Still, practically all companies face the same question:

Why are there websites for R$ 800, R$ 5,000, R$ 20,000, or even much more?

Because websites are not off-the-shelf products.
They are strategic projects, created for completely different realities, objectives, and levels of maturity.

This guide explains exactly what impacts the price, which price ranges make sense in 2026, and how to make a secure decision to hire the right partner without falling for cheap solutions that will end up costing more.

Why does the price of a website vary so much?

There are 3 main factors that determine the final value:

1. Complexity of the project

A simple institutional website does not demand the same level of architecture, design, and integrations as an e-commerce site or a platform with its own logic.

2. Quality of design and experience

Professional websites are not just aesthetically pleasing — they are designed to convert.

They include:

• Structured UX

• Strategic copy

• Optimized performance

• Microinteractions

• Clear architecture

• Full focus on the user

3. Who you hire

A beginner professional delivers something totally different from a specialized studio with process, methodology, QA, security, and support.

What really defines the value of a professional website?

Next are the factors that most influence the budget.

1. Number of pages and scope

• Single landing page

• Institutional website (5–10 pages)

• Portals and platforms (20+ pages)

The larger the structure, the more:
✔ architecture
✔ content
✔ exclusive design
✔ development

2. Exclusive design vs. templates

Templates (cheaper)

• Static

• Limited

• Little flexibility

• Generic visuals

Authorial design (Ikigai Design: 100% customized)

• Own identity

• Superior experience

• Professionalism

• More conversion

• More credibility

Professional design is a value multiplier.

3. Chosen platform (direct impact on cost)

The technology determines time, complexity, performance, and scalability.

3.1. Development in code (HTML, CSS, JS, frameworks)

✔ Total freedom
✔ Better performance
✔ Ideal solution for SaaS, dashboards, platforms, complex logic
❗ Requires more hours → higher investment

3.2. Webflow

✔ Advanced design
✔ Sophisticated animations
✔ Professional CMS
✔ Simple updates for the client
Ideal for premium institutionals, robust blogs, and modern visual experiences.

3.3. Framer

✔ Speed of creation
✔ Microinteractions
✔ Visual focus
Not recommended for complex sites or those with dense integrations.

3.4. WordPress

✔ Extremely flexible
✔ Best for large blogs and content-heavy sites
❗ Risk of slowness if poorly configured
Recommended for those who need to publish a lot.

3.5. Shopify (e-commerce)

✔ Best checkout on the market
✔ Security
✔ High conversion
✔ Scalability
If the goal is to sell, it's the best option.

4. Integrations and functionalities (the point that most alters the price)

The more the site “does on its own”, the greater the investment — and the greater the return.
Integrations require mapping, APIs, testing, automation, and custom logic.

Here are the main types and why they increase the cost:

🔹 1. CRM integration

HubSpot, Pipedrive, RD Station, Zoho.

Allows:

• automatic lead sending

• tags

• segmentation

• automations

• tracking

➜ Requires mapping + webhooks + validations.

🔹 2. Marketing automation

ActiveCampaign, Mailchimp, Klaviyo.

Allows:

• pop-ups

• nurturing flows

• segmentation

• behavioral triggers

➜ Requires API configuration + sending tests.

🔹 3. Scheduling system

Calendly, Acuity, SimplyBook.

Allows:

• appointment booking

• payments

• calendar integration

• automatic notifications

➜ Availability rules + advanced configurations.

🔹 4. Restricted areas and membership (Membership)

Memberstack, Outseta, Webflow Memberships.

Allows:

• login

• exclusive content

• courses

• community

• access levels

• recurrence

➜ Essentially, a mini digital product → increases the scope.

🔹 5. Complete e-commerce

Includes:

• checkout

• shipping

• payment gateways

• inventory management

• persistent cart

• advanced filters

• smart categories

➜ It is always more complex than an institutional site.

🔹 6. Advanced integrations via API

When the site needs:

• dynamic data

• dashboards

• social login

• custom logic

• internal automations

• notifications

➜ Development + testing + security.

🔹 7. Chatbots and WhatsApp

ManyChat, Intercom, Crisp.

➜ Requires creating flows, messages, and integrations.

🔹 8. Custom features

Simulators, calculators, configurators, custom dashboards.

➜ Created from scratch → higher cost.

Simple summary for the client:

The more your site integrates, automates, and connects…
the more it works for you — capturing, organizing, calculating, and converting.

5. SEO and content structure

Technical SEO + strategic copy + performance = exponential results.

6. Performance and optimization

In 2026, a professional website must:
✔ load in up to 2 seconds
✔ have a high score on Core Web Vitals
✔ be accessible
✔ be mobile-first

Real price ranges in 2026 (Brazil)

1. Strategic landing page

R$ 2,000 to R$ 6,000

2. Professional institutional website

R$ 4,000 to R$ 12,000

3. Premium corporate website

R$ 12,000 to R$ 25,000

4. Professional e-commerce (Shopify, Webflow, WooCommerce)

R$ 15,000 to R$ 40,000+

5. Custom platforms and systems

R$ 30,000 to R$ 150,000+

What is, and what is not, a professional website

A professional website must have:
✔ exclusive design
✔ strategic UX
✔ converting copy
✔ technical SEO
✔ fast performance
✔ impeccable mobile
✔ accessibility
✔ functional integrations
✔ organized CMS
✔ post-delivery support

If it doesn't have this, it is not a professional website.
It is just a built page.

Checklist before hiring a studio

• clear process

• detailed scope

• real portfolio

• authorial design

• proven results

• good performance

• support

• structured communication

• clarity of deadlines

If more than 3 are missing? Red flag.

How much does it cost to maintain a website?

• domain: R$ 20–70/year

• hosting: R$ 20–180/month

• maintenance and improvements: recommended

• plugins and apps (depending on the platform)

• 
  

How to save without losing quality

✔ start with the essentials
✔ avoid templates
✔ invest in UX from the start
✔ plan the architecture
✔ evolve based on data

Conclusion: how much to invest in 2026?

If your goal is:

• authority

• positioning

• conversion

• credibility

• sustainable growth

Then your website is not a cost.
It is a strategic asset.

And 90% of the result depends on choosing the right partner.

Request a quote from Ikigai Design

Ikigai Design develops websites, platforms, and digital experiences focused on:
✔ conversion
✔ performance
✔ authorial design
✔ advanced UX
✔ strategy

👉 Click here to request your quote