By Julian D’Angelo · Published October 12, 2026
The software price is one part of the bill.
If you’re looking for a cheap way to make a website with AI, start with a list of what the finished site needs to do. A page with your contact details is a different project from a site with a class schedule, a service library or a shop.
An AI builder can help produce a first draft. You still need to check the wording, choose images you can use, connect the domain and test the important steps. Those tasks take time even when the software is inexpensive.
Three ways to get it built.
| Approach | What you pay for | What stays with you |
|---|---|---|
| Build it yourself | Builder plan, domain and any paid tools | Copy, design decisions, testing and updates |
| Hire an AI website designer | A scoped project plus ongoing platform costs | Your business input and approval |
| Commission a larger custom build | Planning, design, development and specialist features | Requirements, review and ongoing ownership decisions |
Check current plan details with each provider. Introductory prices, renewal rates, custom-domain support and export options can change the total.
What to include in a DIY budget.
- Domain registration and renewal. Check both prices before choosing a name.
- Hosting or a builder subscription. Confirm what is included when you publish.
- Images and fonts. Use assets you own or have the right licence for.
- Booking, payments or email. These may need separate subscriptions.
- Your own time. Include revisions, mobile checks and learning how to maintain the site.
For a small informational site, DIY can be a sensible choice if you enjoy the work and have time to finish it. Look at a provider’s own documentation, such as Figma’s AI website generator overview, to understand what the tool does before committing.
What you’re paying a designer to handle.
A finished business website needs choices that are specific to the business. Which service leads the page? What does a new customer need explained? Where should booking happen? Which information needs its own page?
The work also includes checking links, preparing the content and making sure the layout holds together on a phone. Ask a designer to spell out those responsibilities in the quote.
For example, the Jungle Toronto site includes a live class schedule and routes to existing booking tools. Its scope goes beyond generating a homepage.
My websites start at CAD $2,500.
That starting package covers up to five pages, copy developed from your input, desktop and mobile design, a contact or booking connection, basic search setup and two rounds of revisions.
Domain, hosting and other paid subscriptions are separate. More pages or custom functionality change the scope. We agree the final price before work starts.
I offer website design, so this is written from a builder’s perspective. DIY may be the right choice if your needs are simple and you’re comfortable owning the work.
Ask these questions before accepting a quote.
- Which pages and features are included?
- Who provides the copy and images?
- How many feedback rounds are included?
- Who owns the domain, accounts and finished work?
- What recurring costs will I have?
- What happens when I need an update or something breaks?
Choose based on the finished job.
Compare the total first-year cost and the amount of work left for you. A low software fee is useful when you’re happy to build the site yourself. A defined project fee can make sense when you want someone to carry it through.
If you’d like a quote, send me a few details about the business and the site you need. If you’re local, you can also read about my Toronto website design service.
Tell me about your project