Freelance Web Designer Pricing Calculator
How much should you charge?
This calculator helps you determine fair pricing for web design projects based on market rates in India and value-based pricing principles. Select your project type and features to get an appropriate price range.
Select Your Project Type
Starter
5-page website, basic design, 1 revision
Growth
7-page website, contact form, basic SEO, 2 revisions
Business
8-10 page website, e-commerce setup, Google Analytics, 3 revisions
Add Additional Features
Select features to increase your price and value proposition
Your Recommended Price Range
₹0
Value Proposition
A well-designed website helps you get more calls, bookings, and trust from customers. You're not just selling pixels—you're selling outcomes.
Why this price works
- Includes mobile optimization, speed optimization, and basic SEO setup
- Provides 3 rounds of revisions so you're happy, not just okay
- Uses clean, maintainable code so you won't need to pay someone else to fix it later
- Delivered on time with no ghosting
When you’re just starting out as a freelance web designer, one question keeps you up at night: How much should I charge? Charge too little, and you’re working for free while clients think you’re inexperienced. Charge too much, and you won’t land your first clients. The truth? There’s no magic number-but there’s a smart way to figure it out.
Start with what the market pays
In India, beginner freelance web designers typically charge between ₹300 and ₹800 per hour in 2025. Outside India, rates range from $15 to $40/hour. But hourly rates aren’t the only option-and they’re not always the best one.Most clients don’t care about hours. They care about results. A website that converts visitors into customers is worth more than 20 hours of your time. That’s why project-based pricing works better for beginners. Most new designers land their first gigs with fixed-price packages.
Here’s what’s actually being paid right now in Bangalore:
- Basic 5-page website (portfolio, contact, about, services, blog): ₹15,000-₹25,000
- Small business website with contact form and basic SEO: ₹25,000-₹40,000
- E-commerce site with 5-10 products (Shopify or WordPress): ₹40,000-₹60,000
These aren’t luxury sites. They’re clean, functional, mobile-friendly websites built with WordPress, Webflow, or Elementor. No custom coding required. Just smart design and good structure.
Why you shouldn’t undercut your peers
You might see someone offering a website for ₹8,000 on Fiverr. You think, “I can do that too.” But here’s what happens when you race to the bottom:- Clients assume you’re inexperienced or unreliable
- You spend 30 hours on a project that pays ₹200/hour
- You can’t afford tools, software, or time off
- You burn out before you build a portfolio
People don’t hire freelancers because they’re cheap. They hire them because they trust them. And trust comes from clear communication, professionalism, and consistent quality-not the lowest price.
Instead of competing on price, compete on clarity. Offer three simple packages:
- Starter: 5-page site, basic design, 1 round of revisions - ₹18,000
- Growth: 7-page site, contact form, basic SEO, 2 rounds of revisions - ₹32,000
- Business: 8-10 page site, e-commerce setup, Google Analytics, 3 rounds of revisions - ₹50,000
Don’t say “I’ll do it for less.” Say, “Here’s what you get for each level.” Clients appreciate structure. It makes them feel safe.
What you’re really selling (and what clients don’t realize)
You’re not just making a website. You’re solving problems:- A bakery owner can’t get orders because their site looks like it’s from 2010
- A yoga instructor loses clients because their site doesn’t work on phones
- A local dentist gets calls at 2 a.m. because there’s no booking form
When you talk to clients, stop saying, “I’ll design your site.” Say, “I’ll help you get more calls, more bookings, and more trust from your customers.” That’s the real value.
That’s why you can charge ₹30,000 for a website when someone else charges ₹10,000. You’re not selling pixels-you’re selling outcomes.
How to justify your price to skeptical clients
Clients will ask, “Why is this so expensive?” Here’s how to answer without sounding salesy:- “This includes mobile optimization, speed optimization, and basic SEO setup.” (Most cheap sites break on phones or load in 8 seconds.)
- “I provide 3 rounds of revisions so you’re happy, not just okay.” (Free designers do one revision and disappear.)
- “I use clean, maintainable code so you won’t need to pay someone else to fix it later.” (Bad code costs more in the long run.)
- “I deliver on time. No delays. No ghosting.” (This is rare. Most freelancers vanish after the first payment.)
Most clients don’t know what good web design looks like. Your job is to show them the difference between a template and a tailored solution.
Tools you need (and what they cost)
You can’t charge ₹30,000 if you’re using free tools and spending 20 hours on every site. Here’s what serious beginners invest in:- Canva Pro - ₹1,200/month - for quick graphics, social banners, client mockups
- Webflow or Elementor - Free or ₹1,500/month - drag-and-drop builders that save you hours
- Unsplash + Pexels - Free - high-quality images
- Google Workspace - ₹150/month - professional email ([email protected])
- Notion - Free - for contracts, project tracking, client notes
That’s less than ₹3,000/month in tools. If you land two clients a month at ₹30,000 each, you’re making ₹54,000 profit after tools. That’s not bad for a beginner.
What to avoid as a beginner
Here are three mistakes that trap new designers:- Working for free for “exposure” - No one respects a designer who gives away work. You’re not building a portfolio-you’re training people to expect free labor.
- Using “I’m new, so I’ll charge less” as a pitch - It makes you sound unsure. Instead, say, “I specialize in fast, clean websites for small businesses.”
- Not using contracts - Even a one-page PDF with payment terms, deadlines, and revision limits protects you. Use templates from Freelancers Union or HelloSign.
How to get your first 3 clients
You don’t need a website to start. You need:- A simple portfolio of 3 mockups (use free templates and change the content)
- A LinkedIn post saying: “I’m helping local businesses build modern websites. If you’re tired of outdated sites, DM me. First client gets 20% off.”
- A WhatsApp group with 10 local shop owners (grocery, salons, tutors). Offer a free 15-minute audit of their site.
One of my first clients was a chai shop owner in Indiranagar. She had a website made by her nephew. It didn’t load on Android. I redesigned it in 3 days for ₹20,000. She got 12 new orders in the first week. She referred me to two more shops.
Where to go from here
Once you land 5-7 clients, you can:- Raise your rates by 20-30%
- Offer monthly maintenance plans (₹2,000-₹5,000/month for updates, backups, security checks)
- Specialize: “I design websites for dentists” or “I build sites for yoga studios”
- Start charging retainers instead of one-time fees
After 6 months, most beginners I’ve worked with in Bangalore are charging ₹50,000-₹80,000 per website. Not because they’re geniuses. Because they stopped competing on price-and started competing on value.
Final thought: Your time is worth more than you think
You don’t need to be the best designer to make good money. You just need to be reliable, clear, and consistent. Most clients don’t care if you know CSS grid or React. They care if you show up, listen, and deliver on time.Start with ₹25,000 per site. Not because it’s the market average-but because it’s the minimum you need to build a business, not just a side hustle.
How much should a beginner freelance web designer charge per hour in India?
Most beginners charge between ₹300 and ₹800 per hour, but hourly rates are rarely the best approach. Project-based pricing (like ₹25,000 for a small business website) is clearer for clients and more profitable for you. Hourly billing can lead to scope creep and burnout.
Is it okay to charge less to get my first clients?
No. Charging too little hurts your long-term value. Clients assume low prices mean low quality. Instead, offer a discounted starter package with clear limits-like a 5-page site for ₹18,000. This keeps you profitable while still being accessible.
What’s the difference between a ₹10,000 website and a ₹40,000 website?
A ₹10,000 site is often a template with stock images and no optimization. A ₹40,000 site includes mobile-first design, fast loading speed, SEO setup, contact forms, analytics, and 3 rounds of revisions. It’s built to convert visitors, not just look nice.
Do I need to know coding to charge more?
Not for basic sites. Tools like Webflow, Elementor, and Shopify let you build professional sites without writing code. But knowing HTML and CSS helps you fix small issues faster, which builds trust. Learn enough to be self-sufficient, not to become a developer.
How do I handle clients who want free changes after delivery?
Always include revision limits in your contract-usually 2 or 3 rounds. After that, charge ₹1,500-₹3,000 per additional change. Most clients respect boundaries when they’re clearly set upfront. Never say “yes” to free changes without a written agreement.
Can I make a full-time income as a freelance web designer in India?
Yes. If you land 2-3 clients a month at ₹30,000-₹50,000 each, you’re earning ₹60,000-₹1,50,000/month after expenses. Many designers in Bangalore make ₹1 lakh+ monthly within 8-12 months by focusing on small businesses and offering simple, reliable packages.
Next steps: What to do right now
1. Pick one local business you know-a bakery, salon, or tutor-and offer a free 15-minute site audit. Just say: “I noticed your site doesn’t load fast on phones. I can show you how to fix it in 5 minutes.” 2. Build three mockup websites (use free templates) to show in your portfolio. Don’t wait for clients to start. 3. Set your first price: ₹25,000 for a basic website. Not ₹15,000. Not ₹35,000. ₹25,000. Stick to it. 4. Say no to anyone who asks for a discount without a reason. Your time is valuable. Protect it.You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be consistent. Start small. Charge fairly. Deliver well. The rest follows.