How Much Does a Website Costs | Malaysia 2026
Website pricing in Malaysia varies because different companies require different levels of design, features and support. As more businesses invest in their online presence in 2026, understanding how website costs work becomes increasingly important. Knowing what influences the price helps you plan your budget, compare providers confidently and make informed decisions. This guide explains the main factors that affect website costs and what companies in Malaysia can expect to pay for a professionally built website.
What Are 8 Factors Influencing Website Pricing?
There is no single fixed price for a website. The amount you pay depends on what you want the site to do, how large it is, who builds it and how much support you need after launch. When people ask “How much should I expect to pay?” or “How much does it cost to pay someone to design my website?”, the real answer starts with the factors below.
These are the main elements that influence website design price in 2026.
1. Number of Pages and Scope of the Site
A small one-page site with basic information requires less planning, writing, design work and development time compared to a 20-page company website with service pages, blog sections and contact forms.
For example:
- A single-page site may only need one layout, one set of assets and a simple structure.
- A 20-page site needs multiple layouts, more content planning, more internal links and more testing.
Every extra page usually involves:
- More copywriting or content editing
- Additional design blocks or sections
- Extra technical checks for SEO and performance
So when someone asks “How much does a 20-page website cost?”, the honest reply is that the page count directly adds to project effort, especially when each page needs unique content and design.
2. Template-Based Design vs Custom Design
Your choice between a template and a custom layout makes a big difference in pricing.
Template-based builds usually:
- Use existing layouts
- Require light adjustments to colours, fonts and sections
- Are faster to launch
Custom design usually:
- Starts with wireframes and unique layouts
- Tailors every section to your brand, offers and user journey
- Requires closer collaboration between designer and website developer team
Custom work costs more because it involves deeper planning, more design decisions and thorough testing. Businesses that want a strong brand presence or specific user flows should work with a professional web design company, leaning toward custom design. If you are deciding between different platforms, our guide on Which CMS Platform Is Better For Your Business explains how platform choice affects flexibility, scalability and long-term maintenance.
3. Features and Functionality
A simple information website is cheaper than one that needs advanced features. Each feature adds design and development work.
Common features that affect price include:
- Contact forms and quote forms
- Blog or article sections
- Booking forms or appointment systems
- Membership or login areas
- Payment gateways and e-commerce functions
- Multi-language support
- Integrations with CRM, email tools or third-party systems
When people ask “How much does it cost to pay someone to design your website?”, the answer always depends on which features are included. A project that only needs a basic presence costs less than one that needs full e-commerce plus automation.
4. UX Planning and Content Requirements
Many businesses focus only on visuals and forget about user experience and content. In reality, UX and content can take a large part of the work.
Cost goes up when:
- User journeys are mapped carefully
- Wireframes are created before design
- Multiple content types are planned (service pages, FAQs, resources, case studies)
- Copywriting or content rewriting is part of the project
A project where you provide all content in a ready format will cost less than a project where the agency must plan, write and structure everything. Companies should take UX seriously and work with a proper website development team in Malaysia that understands how to execute both design and user behaviour well.
5. Technology Used and Custom CMS Needs
The stack you choose also affects pricing.
- A standard WordPress build with common plugins usually costs less.
- A site that needs custom CMS development or specific frameworks requires deeper technical work.
Custom CMS or heavily customised setups are often used when:
- There are complex internal workflows
- Many user roles and permissions are needed
- Unique publishing rules or integrations are involved
These projects need experienced developers and longer testing, which naturally increases cost.
6. Who Builds the Website: Freelancer, Agency or In-House
The same scope can have very different prices depending on who handles the work.
- Freelancers may offer lower rates but have limited capacity.
- A professional web design company often includes a team: project manager, designer, developer, sometimes a content or SEO specialist.
- In-house teams carry salary and tool costs but give you closer control.
When someone asks “How much should I expect to pay?”, part of the answer depends on:
- Experience level of the person or team
- How many roles are included in the price
- How structured their process is
Cheaper options can work for very simple projects, but complex builds usually benefit from a full team.
7. Timeline and Project Complexity
If you need a website urgently, this can affect price. Short deadlines often mean:
- More hours packed into a shorter period
- Less room for iteration
- Higher chance of rush charges
Complex projects that involve:
- Multiple stakeholders
- Several review rounds
- Phased releases
Complex projects will naturally cost more because they demand tighter coordination and project management.
8. Ongoing Support and Website Maintenance
The story does not end at launch. Many businesses in Malaysia now factor in website maintenance as part of their overall cost.
Ongoing costs can include:
- Regular backups and security checks
- Plugin and core updates
- Content updates and small design tweaks
- Performance monitoring and optimisation
Some companies prefer a one-time build with no support, while others want a long-term relationship with a website developer in Malaysia. Those choices influence both the initial quote and annual website spend.
Which One Costs Less? DIY or Hiring a Professional Web Designer
Many people ask, “Is it cheaper to design a website myself?” or “Is it cheaper to build a website myself?” The short answer is yes, doing it yourself has a lower upfront cost. But the real cost will become clear when you compare time, skill, reliability and long-term maintenance. Businesses also need to consider other expenses like redesigns, poor conversions and technical issues that require fixing later.
Here is how DIY, freelancers and a professional web design company differ when evaluating website design price in Malaysia.
1. DIY Website Design (Cheapest Upfront, Highest Risk Later)
DIY website builders like Wix, GoDaddy and basic WordPress setups allow you to create a site at minimal cost. This is suitable only for very simple websites with no growth plans.
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Pros |
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Cons |
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DIY is cheaper initially, but the hidden cost shows up when the site cannot scale, convert customers or meet business expectations.
2. Freelancers (Affordable but Mixed Results)
Many companies choose freelancers because they believe it is a middle ground, cheaper than agencies but more skilled than DIY. Freelancers in Malaysia usually charge based on experience and the complexity of your website.
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Freelancers are good for simple sites, but consistency and reliability vary widely.
3. Professional Web Design Company (Higher Cost, Higher Reliability)
A professional web design company usually offers the most complete solution. You’re paying for design, planning, structure, performance, SEO, security and long-term growth.
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Professional companies deliver the most reliable results, especially for businesses that want long-term digital growth.
4. Time, Skill and Hidden Costs Most Businesses Overlook
Many companies only compare visible pricing. They forget to consider:
- Hours required to learn tools
- Cost of redesigning a broken DIY site
- Lost leads due to poor UX
- Security risks from incorrect setups
- Slow speed from unoptimised themes
- Updates, backups and technical fixes needed every year
This is why the cheapest option upfront often becomes the most expensive long term.
Which One Costs Less Overall?
- DIY is the cheapest upfront, but most expensive when considering time, missed opportunities and redesigns.
- Freelancers sit in the middle but may struggle with complex requirements.
- A professional web design company costs more initially but delivers better performance, fewer issues and long-term returns.
If your business sees the website as a serious tool for growth, the safest and most cost-efficient choice is to work with experienced professionals who understand website development, UX, SEO and integration of scalable systems.
What About Domain, Hosting and Ongoing Website Maintenance Costs?
Website prices in Malaysia are not limited to design and development. Businesses often overlook the ongoing expenses that keep the site secure, stable and performing well. Questions like “How to buy a domain cheaply?” or “Is GoDaddy a monthly fee?” are common because these costs are not always clear during the early planning stage. Understanding these components helps you budget accurately and avoid unexpected charges later.
Below is a breakdown of the key ongoing costs that affect the total website design price in Malaysia.
1. Domain Pricing in Malaysia
A domain is your online address, and the cost varies depending on the extension you choose.
Typical Domain Costs (Yearly):
- .com: RM45–RM70
- .com.my: RM80–RM120
- .my: RM120–RM150
- Premium names: RM200+
Domains renew annually, and some providers charge slightly different rates for the first year vs renewal years.
2. How to Buy a Domain Cheaply (Without Risk)
Many platforms offer cheap first-year promotions, but businesses should be careful with hidden renewal fees.
Here’s how to buy a domain cheaply and safely:
- Compare prices across local registrars like Exabytes, Shinjiru or local hosting providers
- Avoid extremely low first-year offers with high renewal rates
- Register domains for 2–3 years for better long-term value
- Choose reputable registrars to avoid DNS issues later
- Keep contact information updated to avoid accidental expiry
Domains are inexpensive, so it’s worth choosing reliability over the absolute lowest price.
3. Hosting Options in Malaysia
Hosting determines how fast and stable your website runs. This is a major part of website development in Malaysia because the server environment influences performance, SEO and mobile speed.
Common Hosting Options:
- Shared Hosting (cheapest, suitable for small sites)
- VPS Hosting (better performance, suitable for growing businesses)
- Cloud Hosting (scalable, best for e-commerce or high traffic)
- Managed WordPress Hosting (includes updates and security)
Typical Hosting Costs (Yearly):
- Shared: RM150–RM500
- VPS: RM800–RM3,000
- Cloud: RM1,200–RM5,000+
- Managed WordPress: RM600–RM2,000+
Does GoDaddy have a monthly fee?
Yes. GoDaddy hosting can be billed monthly or yearly depending on the plan. Monthly fees often appear cheaper upfront but tend to cost more annually.
4. Website Maintenance Costs in Malaysia
Many companies do not factor in website maintenance, but this is essential for keeping a website secure, stable and up to date. Maintenance ensures your website runs smoothly after launch.
What Maintenance Usually Includes:
- Plugin and theme updates
- WordPress or CMS core updates
- Security monitoring
- Backups and restoration
- Fixing broken features
- Minor design adjustments
- Speed checks and optimisation
- Content updates (optional add-on)
Typical Maintenance Costs (Monthly):
- Basic: RM80–RM200
- Standard: RM200–RM500
- Advanced or e-commerce: RM500–RM1,500+
Businesses that skip maintenance often end up paying much more later for emergency fixes or malware cleanup.
5. Security, Backups and Performance Optimisation
Security and speed are directly related to user experience and SEO. Even with a well-designed website, poor maintenance leads to slower loading, outdated software and vulnerabilities.
Security Tasks:
- Malware scanning
- Firewall updates
- SSL renewals
- Login protection
Performance Tasks:
- Image compression
- Caching setup
- Database cleanup
- Script optimisation
For websites using custom CMS development, ongoing optimisation is even more important because the system often relies on tailored coding that requires periodic checks.
Which Website Design and Development Option Should You Choose?
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Option |
Best For |
Key Features |
Estimated Costs (2026) |
Notes |
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DIY Website |
Basic or temporary sites |
Simple templates, limited control |
RM0–RM1,000 |
Lowest cost; limited SEO and growth. |
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Freelancer |
Small business websites |
Moderate customisation, basic setup |
RM1,500–RM6,000 |
Quality varies by experience. |
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Professional Web Design Company |
Business websites that need strong UX and SEO |
Full team support, structured development |
RM7,000–RM25,000 |
Best for long-term performance and reliability. |
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Custom CMS Development |
Advanced features or integrations |
Custom workflows, scalable systems |
RM30,000–RM100,000+ |
Ideal for complex or large-scale projects. |
Add-On Costs
Even after choosing one of the options above, businesses should still budget for:
- Domain (RM45–RM150/year)
- Hosting (RM150–RM2,000+/year depending on type)
- Website maintenance (RM80–RM800+/month)
Conclusion
Website costs vary because every business has different needs and long-term plans. Once you understand the options available, choosing the right approach becomes clearer. The key is aligning your budget with the level of quality, support and scalability your website needs to perform well over time.
Before making a decision, it’s worth understanding what commonly goes wrong during website builds. We recommend reading 10 website design mistakes you need to stop making before buying or rebuilding a website, so you can avoid costly issues and plan more effectively from the start.
If you’d like guidance on choosing the right approach for your business, contact Grayscale360 for a well-planned website that saves time, cost and effort in the long run.
FAQ
1. Is it cheaper to design a website myself?
DIY website builders are the cheapest option upfront because you only pay for the domain, hosting and a basic template. DIY works only for simple, temporary websites and lacks proper UX, SEO structure and long-term flexibility. It is cheaper at the start, but many businesses eventually rebuild their site professionally, which increases overall cost.
2. How much does a 1-page or 20-page website cost in Malaysia?
A 1-page website usually sits at the lower end of Malaysia’s pricing range because it requires fewer layouts and less content. A 20-page website costs more because each page needs design work, structure and optimisation. Factors like scope, page count and features directly influence website design price.
3. Is WordPress or Wix free to use for business websites?
WordPress software is free, but running a proper WordPress website is not. You still need hosting, a domain, security updates and maintenance as ongoing essential costs. Wix offers a free plan, but limitations make it unsuitable for long-term business use. Both platforms require paid upgrades to achieve the performance, branding and SEO needed by most companies.
4. How much does it cost to hire a freelancer or professional web design company?
Freelancers typically charge less because they handle design and development alone. Professional companies cost more because they include structure, UX, development standards, optimisation and long-term support.
5. How do I buy a domain cheaply in Malaysia, and does GoDaddy charge monthly?
To buy a domain cheaply, you can compare prices across Malaysian registrars and avoid promotions with high renewal fees. GoDaddy offers monthly and yearly plans, but most businesses choose yearly billing to avoid higher month-to-month pricing.