You ask three web agencies for a quote. One comes back at LKR 25,000. Another at LKR 120,000. A third at LKR 300,000. Same brief, same requirements, very different numbers. The reason is not that one agency is overcharging and two are not - it is that "website" means completely different things depending on what is actually included. Here is the full breakdown of what each price tier gets you, what is typically excluded, and how to compare quotes without getting surprised.
Website Price Ranges by Type
| Website Type | Price Range (LKR) | What's Typically Included | What's Usually NOT Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-page landing page | LKR 15,000 – 35,000 | One-page design, contact form, mobile-responsive, hosting setup | Hosting, domain, content, photography |
| Brochure site (3–5 pages) | LKR 35,000 – 80,000 | Home, About, Services, Contact pages; custom design; WhatsApp button | Hosting, domain, content writing, SEO setup |
| Full business website (5–10 pages) | LKR 80,000 – 150,000 | Custom design, all pages, contact forms, gallery, Google Maps, basic SEO | Hosting, domain, content writing, photography, ongoing maintenance |
| E-commerce website | LKR 150,000 – 350,000 | Product catalogue, shopping cart, payment gateway, admin panel | Hosting, domain, product photography, content, ongoing maintenance |
| Custom web application | LKR 300,000+ | Custom backend, database, user accounts, admin dashboard, integrations | Hosting, domain, third-party API costs, ongoing development |
These ranges assume professional design and development - not DIY website builders. Freelancer rates in Sri Lanka tend toward the lower end of each range; agency rates sit in the mid-to-upper range with additional project management and quality assurance included.
What Drives the Price Up
- Custom design vs template - a fully custom-designed website takes significantly more time than adapting a premium WordPress template. Custom design adds LKR 30,000–80,000 depending on complexity.
- Number of pages - each additional page adds design, development, and content integration time. A 15-page website costs more than a 5-page website.
- Animations and interactions - scroll animations, hover effects, and complex transitions require additional front-end development time.
- Multilingual support - building a site in both Sinhala and English requires duplicate content structure and often custom font handling for Sinhala typography.
- Admin panel or CMS - if the client needs to update content without developer access, a proper CMS setup or custom admin interface adds development time.
- Payment gateway integration - connecting PayHere, Stripe, or a bank gateway requires backend development, security testing, and compliance considerations.
- Third-party integrations - connecting to booking systems, CRMs, email marketing platforms, or WhatsApp APIs adds complexity to every project.
What Is NOT Included in Most Quotes
This is where surprises happen. Most web development quotes in Sri Lanka cover only the design and development work. The following items are almost always additional costs that are not in the initial quote unless explicitly stated:
- Domain registration - .lk domains from LKR 2,800/yr, .com from LKR 3,200/yr (annual, recurring)
- Web hosting - from LKR 6,500/yr for shared hosting (annual, recurring)
- Premium WordPress theme or plugins - LKR 5,000–25,000 one-time if not included in the quoted work
- Content writing - page copy, service descriptions, About Us text - typically LKR 5,000–15,000 per page for professional copywriting
- Product or service photography - LKR 15,000–50,000+ for a professional shoot
- SSL certificate - should be included in hosting; verify this before buying separately
- SEO setup - Google Search Console, sitemaps, meta tags, schema markup - often not included in basic builds
- Post-launch support and maintenance - bug fixes, updates, content changes after handover are usually charged separately
A LKR 50,000 website quote that excludes content writing, photography, hosting, and domain could become LKR 90,000+ by launch. Always ask: "What is the total cost to go live, including everything?"
Ongoing Costs After Launch
| Item | Annual Cost (LKR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Web hosting | From LKR 6,500 | Required - site goes offline without hosting |
| Domain renewal | LKR 2,800–4,500 | Required - site goes offline if domain expires |
| SSL certificate | Free (Let's Encrypt via hosting) | Auto-renews if on cPanel hosting |
| WordPress theme renewal | LKR 0 – 15,000 | One-time or annual depending on theme license |
| Plugin licenses | LKR 0 – 30,000 | Some premium plugins require annual renewals |
| Maintenance / support | LKR 12,000 – 60,000 | Optional - for regular updates, backups, content changes |
| Google Workspace email | LKR 13,000 – 26,000 / user / yr | Optional - only if you prefer Google email over hosting email |
At minimum, a live website requires annual hosting and domain renewal - LKR 9,000–13,000 per year. Everything else is optional depending on your requirements.
How to Compare Quotes Without Getting Burned
- Ask: Is this a custom design or a template adaptation? A template site is not wrong - but it should be priced differently from a fully custom build.
- Ask: Is hosting and domain included, or will I pay separately? Get a clear answer on what the total annual cost is after launch.
- Ask: What happens after the site goes live? Is there a support period? What does bug fixing cost after handover?
- Ask: Who writes the content - you or the agency? If you, how is that content delivered to the agency, and is there a delay cost if it arrives late?
- Ask: What platform is the site built on, and can I maintain it myself? If the site is built on a custom framework you cannot access, every update will require the agency.
- Ask: What does the timeline look like, and what are the milestones for payment? Most professional agencies tie payment milestones to deliverables, not arbitrary dates.
What Ceytrex Labs Builds
Ceytrex Labs builds business websites and web applications for Sri Lankan businesses - from 5-page brochure sites to full e-commerce platforms and custom web apps. All websites include mobile-responsive design, WhatsApp integration, basic SEO setup, and Google Analytics. Hosting and domain can be bundled through Ceytrex Labs for an all-in-one setup.
We quote in LKR, work in the Sri Lanka timezone, and deliver projects with full handover documentation - including how to make basic content updates yourself without needing a developer for every change.
Get a clear, itemised website quote in LKR.
Tell us what you need - type of site, number of pages, specific features - and we will give you an honest breakdown of what it costs to build and maintain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I see website quotes as low as LKR 8,000 online?
Very low quotes typically indicate a basic template with minimal customisation, no custom design, limited pages, and no ongoing support. They may also exclude hosting, domain, and content. For a professional business website that generates leads and represents your brand credibly, the LKR 35,000–150,000 range is realistic.
How long does it take to build a business website?
A 5-page business website typically takes 2–4 weeks from briefing to launch if content is provided on time. E-commerce sites take 4–8 weeks. Custom web applications are scoped individually. The most common reason for delays is late content delivery from the client.
Do I need to pay for mobile-friendly design separately?
No reputable agency charges extra for mobile-responsive design in 2025 - it is a baseline requirement, not a premium feature. Any quote that charges extra for "mobile version" is treating an industry standard as an upsell.
Can I update my website content myself after it is built?
Yes, if the site is built on WordPress or another CMS. Most Sri Lankan businesses are on WordPress, which allows non-technical users to update text, images, and blog posts via an admin dashboard. Custom-built sites may require developer access for updates depending on how they were built.
Should I host my website with the same company that built it?
Not necessarily. Keeping hosting and development with the same provider simplifies support but is not required. The important things are that your domain is in your own name (not the agency's), and you have access to your own hosting account.