GoDaddy Web Design Pricing: The Complete Guide to DIY vs. Professional Services

Thinking about using GoDaddy to build your website? You're not alone. With millions of users, it's a popular starting point for small businesses and solopreneurs.

But before you dive in, it's crucial to understand the full picture of GoDaddy's web design pricing. The sticker price is often just the beginning.

GoDaddy offers two distinct paths: a do-it-yourself (DIY) Website Builder and a professional Web Design Service where they build the site for you.

Each has its own pricing structure, feature set, and hidden costs. Choosing the wrong one can lead to budget overruns, a website that doesn't meet your needs, or the frustrating realization that you need to start over.

This guide cuts through the marketing noise to give you a clear, comprehensive breakdown of what you'll actually pay.

We'll explore the different plans, uncover potential extra fees, and help you determine which option-if any-is the right fit for your business goals. We'll also discuss when it's time to move beyond template-based solutions and invest in a professional web design agency for a truly custom, scalable asset.

Key Takeaways

1. Two Core Options: GoDaddy's pricing is split between its DIY Website Builder (monthly subscription) and its Professional Web Design Services (one-time project fee).
2. DIY Builder Costs: Expect to pay between $10 to $25+ per month for the builder, depending on features like e-commerce and appointment booking. This does not include the domain name.
3. Professional Service Costs: A website built by GoDaddy's team starts around $1,500 for a basic site and can exceed $5,000 for more complex projects with e-commerce.
4. Total Cost of Ownership: The initial price isn't the final cost. Factor in domain registration, SSL certificates (after the first year), marketing tool subscriptions, and potential maintenance fees, which can start at $99/month.
5. Scalability is Key: GoDaddy is excellent for simple, budget-friendly sites. However, businesses with unique requirements, complex integrations, or ambitious growth plans will likely need a custom solution from a dedicated development partner like Developers.dev.

GoDaddy's DIY Website Builder Pricing: A Plan-by-Plan Analysis

GoDaddy's Website Builder is designed for users with little to no technical skill. It's a template-based, drag-and-drop tool that bundles hosting, security, and basic marketing features into a monthly subscription.

While they sometimes offer a limited free version, the paid plans are where the real functionality lies.

Here's a breakdown of the typical plan structure. Note that prices are based on annual billing and introductory offers may vary.

GoDaddy Website Builder Plan Comparison

These plans offer a straightforward entry point, but it's essential to understand their limitations. You are confined to GoDaddy's ecosystem, which means limited customization, no access to underlying code, and potential difficulties migrating your site to another platform later.

For a deeper dive into website costs across different platforms, our Web Design Cost In The Us guide provides a broader perspective.

GoDaddy Professional Web Design Services: When You Want Them to Build It

If the DIY route sounds like too much work, GoDaddy offers a service where their team designs and builds a website for you.

This is a significant step up in price and is positioned as a hands-off solution for busy entrepreneurs.

Unlike the monthly builder plans, this is a one-time project fee. However, ongoing hosting and maintenance are separate costs.

Key Features & Pricing Tiers

1. Basic Website Design (Starts at ~$1,499): This package typically includes a custom, mobile-responsive design with up to 10 pages. It's suitable for businesses needing a professional online brochure.
2. Advanced Website Design (Starts at ~$2,999): For businesses that need more pages, more complex forms, or specific functionality beyond a simple informational site.
3. E-commerce Website Design (Often $2,500 - $5,000+): This tier is for building a full online store. The price varies significantly based on the number of products, payment gateway integrations, and custom features required.

While this service saves you time, you're still building on GoDaddy's platform. This means you get a custom design, but not necessarily custom functionality.

For businesses that need specialized workflows, API integrations, or a truly unique user experience, this service may fall short. Understanding 7 Core Web Design Principles can help you decide if a template-based approach or a fully custom build is right for you.

The Hidden Costs: What's Not Included in the Price Tag?

One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is underestimating the total cost of ownership. The advertised price is rarely the final price.

Here are common additional costs to budget for:

1. Domain Name: While sometimes included for the first year, you'll pay a renewal fee of around $20/year or more thereafter.
2. SSL Certificate: Similarly, the free SSL certificate often reverts to a paid plan after the first year, costing $70/year or more.
3. Website Maintenance: If you opt for GoDaddy's professional services, they offer maintenance plans starting at $99.99/month for updates, security checks, and performance tuning.
4. Email Hosting: Professional email (e.g., you@yourdomain.com) is often an add-on service.
5. Advanced Marketing Tools: While basic SEO is included, more advanced features for email marketing, social media management, and analytics often require higher-tier plans or separate subscriptions.
6. Transaction Fees: For e-commerce plans, be sure to account for payment processing fees from providers like Stripe or PayPal.

GoDaddy vs. Custom Development: A Strategic Comparison

So, when is GoDaddy the right choice, and when should you partner with a firm like Developers.dev? The decision comes down to your business's current needs and future ambitions.

When to Choose GoDaddy:

✅ You have a very limited budget.
✅ You need a simple, informational website online quickly.
✅ Your business is local and doesn't require complex online functionality.
✅ You are a solopreneur or a very small business just starting out.

When to Choose a Custom Solution with Developers.dev:

🚀 You have unique business processes that need custom software or integrations.
🚀 You need to scale your website to handle high traffic and complex user interactions.
🚀 You require a specific technology stack (e.g., AI/ML, Blockchain, specific frameworks).
🚀 You need full control over your code, data, and intellectual property.
🚀 Your website is a core, revenue-generating asset, not just an online brochure.
🚀 You need to adhere to strict compliance standards like SOC 2 or ISO 27001.

Ultimately, GoDaddy provides a valuable service for getting a basic presence online. But for businesses aiming for significant growth, a custom-built platform is not a cost-it's a strategic investment in a scalable, secure, and high-performing future.

If you're weighing your options, our guide on How To Pick A Web Design Firm can provide critical insights.

2025 Update & Evergreen Principles

As of 2025, the trend towards AI-driven website builders continues, and GoDaddy has integrated AI features to help generate content and layouts.

This makes their DIY builder even faster for creating a basic site. However, the core strategic considerations remain the same. AI can generate a design, but it can't architect a custom business solution.

The evergreen principle is this: choose the tool that matches your ambition. A simple tool is perfect for a simple goal.

A powerful, custom solution is required for an ambitious one. As your business grows, your digital needs will evolve from a simple online presence to a complex digital ecosystem.

Planning for that evolution from day one is the key to long-term success.

Conclusion: Making the Right Investment for Your Business

GoDaddy offers an accessible and affordable entry point into the world of web design, particularly for small businesses and individuals with straightforward needs.

Its DIY builder provides a low-cost, low-risk way to get online, while its professional services offer a time-saving alternative for a basic, custom-designed site.

However, the true cost isn't just about the initial price. It's about understanding the limitations in scalability, customization, and functionality.

For businesses poised for growth, requiring complex integrations, or viewing their website as a critical competitive advantage, the constraints of a template-based platform will eventually become a bottleneck.

At Developers.dev, we specialize in building the powerful, scalable, and secure web applications that businesses run on.

Our ecosystem of over 1000 vetted, in-house experts goes beyond design to deliver robust engineering solutions. We provide full IP transfer, CMMI Level 5 process maturity, and dedicated Staff Augmentation PODs to become a true extension of your team.

This article has been reviewed by the Developers.dev Expert Team, comprised of certified solutions architects and enterprise technology specialists, ensuring its accuracy and strategic value.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does GoDaddy really cost per month?

The monthly cost for GoDaddy's DIY Website Builder typically ranges from $10 to $27, depending on the plan you choose (Basic, Premium, or Commerce).

This price is usually based on annual billing. Remember to factor in the additional cost of your domain name renewal after the first year.

Is GoDaddy's web design service a one-time fee?

Yes, the professional web design service where GoDaddy's team builds your site is a one-time project fee, starting around $1,500.

However, you will still need to pay recurring fees for hosting, domain renewal, and any optional maintenance plans you subscribe to.

Can I move my GoDaddy website to another host?

Moving a website built with the GoDaddy Website Builder to another hosting provider is extremely difficult, if not impossible.

You are essentially locked into their proprietary platform. This is a critical factor to consider if you anticipate needing more flexibility in the future.

Is GoDaddy good for e-commerce?

GoDaddy's Commerce plan is suitable for small businesses with basic e-commerce needs. It allows you to list products, accept payments, and even sync with marketplaces.

However, for businesses with large inventories, complex shipping rules, or the need for custom checkout processes, a more robust platform like Shopify or a custom-built solution is often a better long-term choice.

When should I choose a custom web developer over GoDaddy?

You should choose a custom web developer like Developers.dev when your website is a core part of your business strategy.

If you need custom features, integrations with other software (like a CRM or ERP), advanced security, a unique user experience, or a platform that can scale with significant user growth, a custom solution is the superior investment.