What a website really costs in South Africa.
No vague 'from' prices and no surprises. Here is exactly what we charge, what is included, and the questions worth asking any web designer before you pay.
The short answer
A starter website from LiquidEmerce costs R130/month or R1,000/year. Both plans include the same one-page website, hosted and looked after for you.
Monthly
R130per month
No contract. Stop any time.
Pay once a year
R1,000for 12 months
Saves you R560 vs paying monthly.
Custom website
Quotedper project
A scope and quote shaped around your business.
What you pay, and when
Monthly — R130
Domain registration or transfer is arranged first. Your R130 billing only starts when the site goes live, and there is no contract — you can stop any time.
Annual — R1,000
Pay a R500 plan deposit plus domain costs before we build. The remaining R500 is due at launch. You save R560 compared to paying monthly for a year.
What is included
Both starter plans include the same essentials. You provide the content; we build, host and look after the rest.
- Starter website with your business essentials on one page
- Editing of existing text and images included
- Google-ready SEO setup
- WhatsApp & Maps buttons on your site
- Up to 20 business email addresses
- Hosting and security included
What costs extra
- Your domain: registration or transfer costs are quoted separately before work starts.
- Extra pages, online shops, booking systems and new functionality: custom development, quoted per project.
- Optional marketing: ongoing SEO, Google and social media ads, social media management and email marketing are available as separate services.
Why we can charge R130 a month
We keep it simple on purpose. A small senior team, one clear product, and the same starter build each time — no big agency overheads, no account managers, no sales calls. You pay for the website and the ongoing care, nothing else.
If you need something bigger, we quote it honestly as custom work. If the starter page is all you need, that is all you pay for.
See the starter website plansQuestions worth asking any web designer
What is the total first-year cost?
Add up the monthly or annual fee, the domain, and any once-off design charge. With us: R1,560 if you pay monthly for a year, or R1,000 for the year, plus the domain cost quoted before work starts.
What is included, and what is extra?
Ask for a list. Ours: hosting, security, a Google-ready SEO setup, WhatsApp and Maps buttons, up to 20 business email addresses, and edits to your existing text and images. Extra pages and new functionality are quoted separately.
Who handles the domain?
Someone has to register or transfer it. We arrange the domain first and quote the applicable cost before work starts, so it is not a surprise later.
What happens if I stop paying?
Ask this before you sign anything. Our monthly plan has no contract, so you can stop any time. Whatever provider you choose, know what happens to your site, your domain and your content if you leave.
Are edits included?
You will want to change your prices, hours and photos. Editing existing text and images is included in both our starter plans; new pages or functionality are custom work.
When will the site launch?
Get a date in writing. We aim to launch in about 7 days once we have your content, your domain is ready and any required payment is made. Approval delays can extend this.
Common questions about website costs
How much does a website cost at LiquidEmerce?
A starter website is R130/month with no contract, or R1,000 for 12 months. Larger custom websites with extra pages or functionality are quoted per project.
Do I pay anything upfront?
On the monthly plan, no. The domain registration or transfer is arranged first and billing starts when your site goes live. On the annual plan, you pay a R500 plan deposit plus domain costs before we build, and the remaining R500 is due at launch.
Are there hidden costs?
No surprises. The domain cost is quoted separately before work starts, and anything outside the starter plan — extra pages, shops, booking systems — is quoted before we build it.
Is hosting included?
Yes. Hosting and security are included in both starter plans, and we check your site daily.
What is the cheapest way to get a professional website in South Africa?
A single page with your business essentials is the lowest-cost professional option. With us that is R130/month or R1,000/year, including hosting, security and edits to your existing text and images. DIY website builders look cheaper, but you build, host and maintain the site yourself.
Can I get a once-off website instead of monthly billing?
The starter website is offered as R130/month or R1,000/year. If you need a larger custom website, we quote it per project — send us your scope and we will prepare a quote.
Ready to get your business online?
Send us a message — it is free to ask. We answer every message ourselves, usually within one business day.
Choose an option, then review and send the prepared WhatsApp or email message yourself.