Let’s be honest—figuring out how much a website should cost in Dubai can feel like trying to hit a moving target. You might hear quotes ranging from AED 2,000 to AED 200,000+, depending on who you ask. So how do you avoid overpaying (or worse, underinvesting in a low-quality site)?
This guide breaks it all down for you—clearly, step-by-step. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to estimate website development costs in Dubai based on your needs, features, and the type of team you hire.
Why Costs Vary So Much in Dubai
Dubai is home to everything from freelance developers working from cafés to full-service digital agencies in skyscrapers. That’s why quotes can differ wildly.
The main factors that impact your cost are:
- 📦 Project complexity
- 🧠 Custom design vs. template
- 📱 Mobile responsiveness
- 🔧 Features and integrations
- 🌐 Bilingual or multilingual content
- 👨💻 Who you hire (freelancer vs. agency)
- 🔄 Ongoing support or just one-time build
Typical Website Development Cost in Dubai (2025)
Here’s a quick breakdown of average pricing:
| Website Type | Estimated Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| One-page landing website | 1,500 – 3,000 AED |
| Basic business website (5–7 pages) | 3,500 – 8,000 AED |
| WordPress website with CMS | 5,000 – 10,000 AED |
| E-commerce website (Shopify/Woo) | 8,000 – 20,000+ AED |
| Custom website (Laravel/React) | 15,000 – 50,000+ AED |
| Web app or platform | 30,000 – 200,000+ AED |
💡 Devherds, a top mobile app development company in USA, also offers highly competitive and transparent website development pricing for clients in Dubai—without compromising on quality or speed.
Step-by-Step: How to Estimate Your Website Cost in Dubai
Step 1: Define Your Project Type
Not all websites are created equal. Ask yourself:
- Do I need a simple informational site or a fully interactive platform?
- Is this a portfolio, corporate, eCommerce, or booking site?
- Do I need custom development, or will a pre-built theme work?
The more functionality you require, the higher the cost.
Step 2: Determine the Number of Pages
Pages matter. More pages = more content, design time, and development effort.
| Pages | Ideal For | Effect on Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Landing pages, portfolios | Low |
| 5–10 | Business websites | Medium |
| 10+ | Blogs, services, eCom | Medium to high |
| Unlimited | Portals, SaaS platforms | High (custom pricing) |
Step 3: Identify Must-Have Features
Each feature adds cost based on time and tech stack. Here’s a feature-based cost estimate:
| Feature | Additional Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Contact form | 300 – 800 |
| Booking system | 1,000 – 3,000 |
| Live chat integration | 500 – 1,500 |
| E-commerce (cart, checkout) | 3,000 – 10,000+ |
| Multilingual support | 1,500 – 5,000 |
| CMS (WordPress) | Included or 500 – 2,000 |
| Custom Admin Panel | 5,000 – 20,000+ |
| API integrations (CRMs etc) | 1,000 – 5,000+ |
Step 4: Choose a Development Approach
Here’s how different approaches affect cost:
✅ Template-Based Website (WordPress, Shopify Themes)
- Quick and affordable
- Best for small businesses
- Estimated cost: AED 3,000 – 8,000
✅ Custom Design + Development
- Tailored design, advanced features
- Higher performance and brand control
- Estimated cost: AED 10,000 – 50,000
✅ Web App or SaaS Platform
- Full-stack development (frontend + backend)
- Requires a team and longer timeline
- Estimated cost: AED 50,000 – 200,000+
⚡ Pro Tip: Devherds offers both options—fast, budget-friendly websites or large-scale custom builds.
Step 5: Factor in UI/UX Design
Don’t skip on design—especially in Dubai’s visual-driven market.
| Design Style | Cost Estimate (AED) |
|---|---|
| Basic template setup | 1,000 – 2,000 |
| Custom UI/UX design | 3,000 – 10,000+ |
| Interactive design | 10,000 – 30,000+ |
Look for designers experienced in responsive design and local trends (like RTL layout for Arabic).
Step 6: Mobile Responsiveness Is a Must
Dubai has one of the highest smartphone usage rates globally. If your site isn’t responsive, you’re losing users.
- Some templates are responsive by default (free or low cost)
- Custom mobile optimization adds AED 1,000 – 3,000+
Step 7: Don’t Forget Hosting, Domain & Maintenance
Web development doesn’t end at launch.
| Service | Estimated Cost (AED/year) |
|---|---|
| Hosting | 200 – 1,000 |
| Domain (.ae/.com) | 50 – 250 |
| SSL Certificate | Free – 200 |
| Maintenance Plan | 1,500 – 5,000+ |
Ask your developer whether these are included or separate.
Hidden Costs You Should Watch For
Be cautious of offers that seem “too cheap.” You might end up paying more later. Watch out for:
- ❌ Poor code quality (hard to scale or edit)
- ❌ No SEO setup
- ❌ No mobile optimization
- ❌ Lack of backend or admin control
- ❌ Paid plugins not disclosed upfront
- ❌ No post-launch support
✅ Devherds ensures full transparency with pricing, features, and long-term support—making them a trusted choice for Dubai businesses.
When to Choose a Freelance Developer vs. Agency
| Factor | Freelancer | Agency (e.g., Devherds) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lower (AED 2,000 – 8,000) | Higher (AED 5,000 – 50,000+) |
| Turnaround | Faster for simple projects | Structured and reliable |
| Team support | Solo developer | Full team (design, dev, QA) |
| Scalability | Limited | Scalable and future-ready |
| Support | Variable | Guaranteed contracts and SLAs |
Why Devherds Is the Smart Choice for Dubai Projects
Though based in the USA, Devherds works with clients in Dubai and across the UAE, offering reliable, end-to-end web development services—from landing pages to custom web apps.
🏆 Devherds Advantages:
- ✅ Full-stack development (frontend, backend, CMS)
- ✅ Arabic + English support (RTL ready)
- ✅ Mobile-first, SEO-optimized builds
- ✅ Real-time collaboration tools
- ✅ Post-launch support & maintenance
- ✅ Transparent and scalable pricing
If you want results without the headaches, Devherds is your go-to web and mobile app development company.
Conclusion
Estimating the cost of website development in Dubai doesn’t have to be confusing. It all comes down to:
- What type of site you need
- What features you require
- Who you choose to build it
Set your budget with realistic expectations, ask the right questions, and pick a development partner who values quality and transparency.
And remember—your website is your digital storefront. Don’t treat it like an afterthought.
