Short answer: a simple website can cost $25 a month by subscription, or between $250 and $800 if a small studio in Quito builds it custom; a large agency charges quite a bit more. Here we explain what it depends on, so you can compare proposals wisely.
These are market ranges, not a quote from HCODE: we put them together from the plans published by studios and agencies in Quito. Values in dollars, almost always plus VAT (15%).
Type of website
Small or independent studio
Established agency
Landing page (a single page)
$150 – $300
$400 – $1.200
Informational website (4 to 8 pages)
$250 – $500
$500 – $900
Corporate website with dashboard
$450 – $800
$1.200 – $3.500
Online store
$550 – $800
$1.500 – $6.000
Custom platform or system
from $2,500
$6.000 – $25.000
Approximate ranges we saw in the plans published by studios and agencies in Quito (September 2026). Each provider charges according to scope.
What raises or lowers the price
Template or custom designA template for your industry is much cheaper than a design from scratch.
How many pages and sectionsOne page doesn't cost the same as ten.
Dashboard to editWhether you can change texts and photos yourself or will depend on someone.
Store and paymentsCatalog, cart, stock and online payments add work.
Custom featuresBookings, members area, inventory or a connection with another system.
Accessibility and securityDoing it right takes time, and it shows.
Costs they don't always tell you about
DomainA .com costs from about $10 a year and an .ec between $35 and $55 a year.
HostingBetween $40 and $120 a year on a shared plan, and it is usually charged separately from the second year.
MaintenanceFrom $25 a month; a WordPress site with updates can cost between $40 and $150 a month.
Changes after deliverySome studios charge for them by the hour.
Subscription or one-time payment: which is best
Monthly subscription
With a subscription you pay little to get started, and hosting, the certificate, the dashboard and support are already included; in exchange, you work on a template for your industry. At HCODE it costs $25 a month + VAT, with no lock-in.
Custom development
With custom development you pay more up front, but the website or system does exactly what your business needs. It makes sense when you have your own processes: special bookings, members, inventory or payments.
How to compare two proposals
Does it include a dashboard so you can change texts and photos without paying each time?
Is the domain registered in your name?
How much will you pay in the second year for hosting and maintenance?
How many rounds of changes are included before delivery?
Does it look good on phones and is it accessible to everyone?
Does it state in writing what is delivered and what is not?
A simple website costs $25 a month by subscription or, custom-built by a small studio in Quito, between $250 and $800 plus VAT. An established agency usually charges from $500, and an online store from $550. The price depends on the design, the pages, the dashboard and the features.
How much does a .ec domain cost?
Between $35 and $55 a year depending on the provider. A .com domain costs less: from about $10 a year.
How much does it cost to maintain a website per month?
From $25 a month. A WordPress site with updates and backups usually costs between $40 and $150 a month, and an agency between $100 and $200.
Which is better: a one-time payment or a subscription?
A subscription is best for starting quickly with little money; a one-time custom payment is best when your business needs features of its own. In both cases, ask in writing what the second year includes.
