The cost of web development in Texas: What to know

If you're thinking about building a website for your business, one of the first questions you're probably asking is: 'How much will it cost?' The answer isn't always straightforward, especially in a diverse and rapidly growing state like Texas. Web development in Texas can vary significantly depending on your goals, the complexity of your website, and the team you choose to work with.

At Greenlights, we work with clients across Texas and have seen a wide range of project types and budgets. In this post, we’ll break down the key factors that impact the cost of web development in Texas, what you can expect to pay in different regions, and how to make sure you’re getting the most value for your investment.

Why Texas is a hotspot for web development

Texas has become a tech powerhouse in recent years. Cities like Austin, Dallas, and Houston are attracting startups, established companies, and top tech talent. With a lower cost of living than Silicon Valley and a business-friendly environment, it’s no surprise that more businesses are looking to build their online presence here.

This boom has led to a rise in demand for professional web development services. Whether you're a new business in San Antonio or a growing tech company in Austin, having a reliable, well-built website is a must.

What factors influence web development costs?

No two websites are the same, which means costs will always vary from site to site.

Here are some of the main factors that affect pricing...

The type of website

• Brochure sites: Simple, informational websites typically cost less. This type of site will usually be no more than three pages.

• E-commerce: E-com sites are more complex because of payment, inventory integrations and shipping.

• Web applications: Custom tools, dashboards, and platforms often require more development time.

Design complexity

• Custom designs take more time and skill than pre-made templates.

• Responsive design for mobile and tablet adds additional considerations.

• If your site has UX elements like moving parts, animations or 3D elements, this takes longer to create, bumping up the price.

Features and functionality

The specific features and functionality you want on your website play a major role in determining the overall development cost. Basic websites might only need a few standard pages and a contact form, while more advanced sites may require custom-built tools, third-party integrations, and interactive user experiences, all of which take more time and expertise to implement.

Here are some common features that can increase complexity and cost:

• User logins and accounts: If you want users to create accounts, log in, and access personalized dashboards, you’ll need secure authentication systems, password recovery features, and potentially user role management. This adds both back-end logic and front-end design considerations.

• Booking systems: Whether you're a salon, fitness studio, or consulting business, integrating a calendar-based booking system with time slots, confirmations, and email notifications takes planning and configuration.

• Calendars and event management: Displaying upcoming events with filtering options, RSVP forms, or syncing with external calendars (like Google Calendar) requires more than just embedding a plugin, especially if you want the design and functionality to align with your brand.

• Advanced forms: Basic contact forms are easy. But if you need multi-step forms, conditional logic (e.g., "if the user selects X, show Y"), file uploads, or CRM integration, the cost and development time go up. Secure form handling also requires back-end work to protect data and prevent spam.

• E-commerce functionality: Selling online involves far more than just adding a “Buy” button. You'll need product listings, a shopping cart, payment processing, order management, tax and shipping rules, and potentially customer accounts. If you offer subscriptions, memberships, or digital downloads, those are additional layers of functionality.

• Custom interactive features: Things like pricing calculators, quizzes, live chat, or interactive maps aren’t always available out-of-the-box. These often require custom coding, testing, and mobile optimization.

• API integrations: If your site needs to connect with outside services, like a CRM (e.g., Salesforce), email platform (e.g., Mailchimp), or payment gateway (e.g., Stripe or PayPal), that means additional development time and testing to ensure seamless functionality and security.

Why these features impact cost so much

Each interactive or dynamic feature adds complexity to your website in multiple areas:

• Planning: How will the feature work? What are the user flows?

• Design: It needs to look good and be easy to use across devices.

• Development: The logic and data handling have to be sound.

• Testing: Bugs, usability issues, and edge cases need to be addressed.

Even small details, like confirmation emails or mobile responsive website development, can add hours of work, and that time translates to cost.

If you’re on a budget, focus first on the features that directly support your business goals. You can always expand your site later as your needs evolve.

4. CMS (content management system)

A content management system (CMS) is the platform used to create, manage, and modify digital content on your website, typically without needing to write code. Think of it as the "back-end dashboard" where you or your team can update text, upload images, add blog posts, and manage products without hiring a developer every time.

Some of the most popular CMS platforms include:

• WordPress: Open-source and highly customizable, widely used by small businesses and bloggers.

• Shopify: A hosted CMS built specifically for e-commerce.

• Webflow: A modern option combining design flexibility with CMS features.

• Custom CMS: Built from scratch for very specific needs, usually the most expensive type of website development. You will probably need a team of developers to maintain a custom site.

How CMS affects cost

• Open-source CMS (like WordPress): These are often free to use, but they come with other costs. You’ll likely need to pay for:

  • Premium themes or templates

  • Plugins for added functionality (like contact forms, SEO tools, or image sliders)

  • Developer support to customize or maintain the site

• Hosted CMS (like Shopify or Wix): These include hosting and basic security features, but they often come with:

  • Monthly or annual subscription fees

  • Paid add-ons or apps

  • Transaction fees (for e-commerce)

• Custom CMS: Offers maximum flexibility but comes with the highest upfront cost. You’re also responsible for updates, security, and ongoing support, which usually requires a long-term website development services.

SEO and performance optimization

When building a website, it’s not enough for it to just look good, it also needs to perform well in search engines and provide a smooth, fast experience for your visitors. This is where SEO (search engine optimization) and performance optimization come into play.

SEO is the practice of optimizing your website so it ranks higher in search engine results like Google. The higher you rank, the more organic traffic you get, which means more potential customers finding your business without paying for ads.

A skilled web developer will build your site with SEO best practices integrated right from the start, rather than treating SEO as an afterthought. This foundational approach can save you significant marketing dollars later because:

• Your pages will load faster, which Google rewards with better rankings.

• Proper site structure and clean code make it easier for search engines to crawl and index your content.

• Mobile-friendly design is critical, as more users search on smartphones and Google prioritizes mobile-first indexing.

• Meta tags, alt attributes for images, and semantic HTML help your content get found.

• URLs will be clean and meaningful, improving both user experience and SEO.

• Site speed and security (like HTTPS) are essential ranking factors that also build user trust.

However, if you work with a poor Texas web development company, you'll probably have to pay for all these extra services on top of your website fee, which can bump up the cost.

Hosting and maintenance

When budgeting for your website, it’s important to remember that the cost of building your site isn’t a one-time expense. Two critical ongoing costs are hosting and domain registration, along with regular maintenance, all essential to keeping your website live, secure, and performing well.

Web hosting is the service that stores your website’s files (images, code, databases) on a server so that visitors can access your site 24/7 via the internet. Think of hosting like renting space on a powerful computer that’s always connected.

Your domain is your website’s address (like www.greenlights.digital). You need to register a domain through a domain registrar, which usually requires an annual fee, often between $10 and $50 depending on the domain extension (.com, .net, .biz, etc.) and registrar.

Many people forget to budget for this ongoing cost, which is essential. Forgetting to renew your domain can result in your website going offline or even losing the domain name entirely.

Pricing models used by Texas web developers

Most Texas web development providers work under one of these pricing structures:

• Fixed price: Best for small projects with clear scope. You get a single quote upfront.

• Hourly rate: Common for ongoing or flexible projects. In Texas, this usually ranges from $75–$150/hour depending on experience and city.

• Monthly retainer: Good for businesses that need ongoing updates or support.

Each model has its pros and cons, so choose the one that fits your needs and working style best.

Average Web Development Cost in Texas (2025 Update)

Here’s a general breakdown of what you might expect to pay:

Keep in mind these are general ranges. Your actual cost will depend on the size of your project, the complexity of your features, and which agency or freelancer you choose to work with for web development in Texas.

Comparing costs across major Texas cities

• Austin: A hub for startups and tech. Rates may be slightly higher due to demand and developer availability.

• Dallas/Fort Worth: A good mix of affordability and expertise. Many corporate clients.

• Houston: Wide range of prices due to a diverse economy.

• San Antonio: Often more affordable, with a growing number of talented developers.

Freelancers vs. web development agencies in Texas

Should you hire a freelancer or a web design agency? Here’s a quick comparison:

• Freelancers: Generally lower cost, more flexible, good for small projects.

• Agencies: More resources, more team members, better for larger or more complex websites.

For high-stakes projects or businesses that need strategic support (like marketing or branding), working with a full-service digital marketing agency often delivers better long-term value.

Hidden costs to watch out for

Don’t let your budget get derailed by surprise expenses. Here are a few hidden costs to keep in mind:

• Extra revisions not included in the original scope.

• Licenses for stock images, fonts, or software.

• Hosting and domain renewals.

• Security features like SSL certificates or firewalls.

• Legal compliance (like ADA or GDPR) if you’re in certain industries.

• Ongoing charges for the agency/freelancers to take care of your website.

How to make your Web Development budget work harder

• Be clear about your goals and what features matter most.

• Ask for a detailed proposal or scope of work.

• Don’t just go for the lowest price, focus on experience, reliability, and past results.

• Consider future growth: Can your website evolve as your business does? Or will your site be obsolete in two years time?

DIY vs. a professional web development company in Texas

Platforms like Wix and Squarespace are great for basic websites. But if your business is growing or needs specific functionality, DIY tools have limitations:

• Less flexibility

• SEO challenges

• Harder to scale

Professional web development in Texas gives you full control, better performance, and a more polished user experience. Most agencies will have years of experience, an incredible level of expertise, and the ability to offer ongoing digital marketing services, which can really help your business in the long run.

Choosing the right website development company in Texas

When choosing a developer or agency, consider:

• Portfolio of past work

• Testimonials or reviews

• Communication style

• Tech stack and specialties

Conclusion

Building a website is a big step, and a big investment. But when done right, it can be one of the most valuable tools for your business. Understanding what goes into the cost of web development helps you plan smarter, avoid unexpected costs, and choose the right team to bring your vision to life.

If you’re ready to take the next step, contact us today for a free consultation or quote. We offer conversion-focused web development in Texas. We can build you something great, that gets you the results you are looking for.

If you want to see what we can do when it comes to web development in Texas, request a free demo. We'll redesign your home page for free, using our tried and tested methods, and if you don't like it, you don't proceed.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to build a basic website in Texas?

Anywhere from $2,500 to $20,000+, depending on your needs.

Are web development services cheaper in Texas than California?

Generally web development Texas is cheaper than California, yes. This is due to lower overhead and cost of living.

How long does it take to build a website?

Anywhere from 3 weeks to several months, depending on complexity.

Do you offer ongoing support after launch?

Yes, we provide maintenance plans and retainer options.

What is the average hourly rate for web development in Texas?

Between $75–$150/hour, depending on experience and location.