Wants to know how much does a business website cost in Sri Lanka?

Having a professional and functioning website has become a necessity in 2026. And it’s no different for Sri Lankan businesses. Small retailers in Colombo or growing exporters in Kandy, a website can do more.

It builds trust with customers/audiences, enables online sales, and even opens doors to global markets. Nonetheless, building a website involves cost, where the amount in Sri Lanka can vary dramatically.

A simple site for a startup may cost far less than a feature-rich e-commerce platform for an enterprise. This article guides you through key factors, hidden expenses, and budgeting tips to let you invest wisely.

Average Cost of a Business Website in Sri Lanka

Building a business website in 2026 is more like a strategic investment. It varies widely depending on your goals, scale, and choice of provider. Let’s start with a clear snapshot of typical pricing ranges –

Website Type	Average Cost (LKR)	Standard Uses
Basic Informational Website	40,000 – 120,000	Startups, personal brands, or small service providers need a simple online presence.
Small Business Website (5–10 Webpages)	80,000 – 250,000	SMEs showcasing products/services, blogs, and contact forms.
E-commerce Website	150,000 – 600,000+	Online stores with payment gateways, product catalogs, and inventory management.
Custom/Enterprise Website	500,000 – 2,000,000+	Large corporations require advanced integrations, custom UI/UX, and scalable architecture.

Why Do Prices Vary So Widely?

A template-based site costs less than a custom-built platform with tailored UI/UX, advanced security, and integrations. Using WordPress or Wix is cheaper than building with frameworks.

Adding e-commerce, booking systems, multilingual support, or CRM integration increases costs. A freelancer may deliver quickly at a lower cost, but agencies include discovery workshops, SEO, and long-term support.

Key Factors That Affect Website Cost in Sri Lanka (2026)

Type of Website

• Static Website: Simple, fixed-content sites. Lower cost (LKR 40,000–100,000) but limited functionality.
• Dynamic Website: Interactive sites with databases, CMS, and user logins. Costs rise due to backend development.
• E-commerce Platform: Includes product catalogs, payment gateways, and order management.
• Booking System Website: Hotels, clinics, or event services need real-time booking engines, which add complexity.
• Corporate/Enterprise Portal: Advanced portals with ERP/CRM integration, intranets, and high security.

Website Design Complexity

• Template-Based Design: Affordable, quick setup.
• Semi-Custom Design: Mix of templates with tailored branding.
• Fully Custom UI/UX: Unique layouts, user journey mapping, and prototyping.
• Mobile Responsiveness: Essential in Sri Lanka, where mobile internet penetration exceeds 70%.
• Branding Alignment: Custom graphics, fonts, and brand guidelines add design effort.

Number of Pages

• 1–5 Pages: Basic sites (LKR 40,000–120,000).
• 10–20 Pages: Small business sites (LKR 80,000–250,000).
• 50+ Pages: Corporate portals or content-heavy sites.
• Multilingual Websites: Sinhala, Tamil, and English versions triple content creation and translation costs.

E-commerce Features

• Product Listing Setup: Time-intensive for large catalogs.
• Payment Gateway Integration: PayHere, Stripe, or local banks require compliance and testing.
• Inventory Management: Real-time stock updates increase backend complexity.
• Shipping System: Integration with courier APIs adds development hours.
• Discount and Coupon Systems: Requires logic for promotions.
• Order Tracking: Enhances customer experience but adds database and UI work.

Domain Name Cost in Sri Lanka

• .lk Domain: LKR 3,000–5,000/year.
• .com Domain: LKR 3,500–6,000/year.
• Renewal Fees: Annual recurring expense.
• Premium Domains: Can cost LKR 50,000+ depending on demand.

Web Hosting Cost

• Shared Hosting: LKR 8,000–20,000/year. Suitable for small sites.
• VPS Hosting: LKR 30,000–100,000/year. Better performance and security.
• Dedicated Server: Higher range, ideal for enterprises.
• Local vs International Providers: Local hosting offers better support; international providers may offer higher uptime.

Website Maintenance + Ongoing Costs

• Annual Packages: LKR 15,000–80,000/year.
• Security Updates: Protect against cyber threats.
• Plugin Updates: Especially for WordPress sites.
• Backup Services: Prevent data loss.
• Technical Support: Ensures smooth operation.

SEO Costs

• Basic Setup: LKR 15,000–50,000.
• Monthly Packages: LKR 25,000–150,000+.
• On-Page SEO: Content optimization, meta tags, speed improvements.
• Off-Page SEO: Link building, guest posts, social signals.

Content Creation Costs

• Copywriting: Charged per page.
• Professional Photography: Builds trust and brand appeal.
• Product Photos: Essential for e-commerce.
• Video Production: High engagement but costly.
• Graphic Design: Infographics, banners, and branding assets. 

Custom Development and Integrations

• CRM Integration: Customer management tools.
• ERP System Integration: For large enterprises.
• API Development: Connects external services.
• Payment Systems: Secure, compliant gateways.
• Chatbots and AI Features: Enhance customer support. 

Well-established businesses spend 2% – 5% of annual revenue on digital presence. Lankan companies are also catching up fast. A well-planned website isn’t just a cost, as it’s a growth engine.

Freelancer vs Web Agency vs DIY Website Builders in Sri Lanka

Entrepreneurs face three main options: hiring a freelancer, working with a web development agency, or using DIY website builders. Each path has distinct advantages, limitations, and long-term implications.

Hiring a Freelancer

• Lower Cost: Freelancers typically charge between LKR 40,000 – 150,000 for small to mid-sized websites.
• Flexible Pricing: Negotiable rates and project-based billing allow businesses to control budgets.
• Limited Support: Post-launch maintenance may be inconsistent, as freelancers often juggle multiple clients.
• Risk Factors: Potential issues include missed deadlines, lack of scalability, and limited expertise in SEO or security.

Hiring a Web Development Agency

• Higher Cost: Agencies in Sri Lanka charge LKR 100,000 – 600,000+, with enterprise projects exceeding LKR 2 million.
• Professional Team: Agencies provide designers, developers, SEO specialists, and project managers.
• Long-Term Support: Structured maintenance packages, security updates, and scalability planning.
• Stronger Branding and Scalability: Agencies align websites with brand identity, ensuring professional UI/UX and future growth potential.

DIY Website Builders (Wix, Shopify, WordPress)

• Monthly Subscription Model: Costs range from USD 10–50/month (~LKR 3,500 – 18,000) depending on features.
• Lower Upfront Cost: Ideal for startups testing digital presence.
• Limited Customization: Templates restrict advanced design and functionality.
• Hidden Long-Term Costs: Add-ons, premium plugins, transaction fees (Shopify charges 2% per sale if not using its payment gateway), and scalability challenges.

One-Time Cost vs Recurring Cost Breakdown

It’s mandatory to distinguish between one-time development costs and recurring expenses. Many businesses underestimate the latter, leading to unexpected financial strain.

Cost Comparison Table

Expense Type	Frequency	Estimated Cost (LKR)	Exclusive Notes
Development Fee	One-Time	80,000 – 600,000+	Depends on the type of website (basic vs e-commerce vs enterprise)
Domain Name	Yearly	.lk: 3,000 – 5,000 / .com: 3,500 – 6,000	Premium domains can exceed 50,000+
Web Hosting	Yearly	Shared: 8,000 – 20,000 / VPS: 30,000 – 100,000 / Dedicated: 150,000+	Performance and security vary by hosting type
Maintenance	Yearly	15,000 – 80,000	Includes updates, backups, and technical support
Marketing (SEO/Ads)	Monthly	25,000 – 150,000+	Essential for visibility and lead generation

First-Year vs Following Years Cost

First-Year Cost (Development + Recurring) –

• Small business website: LKR 150,000 – 400,000.
• E-commerce website: LKR 250,000 – 700,000+.
• Enterprise portal: LKR 600,000 – 2,500,000+.

Following Years (Recurring Only) –

• Domain + Hosting + Maintenance + Marketing = LKR 75,000 – 300,000+ annually.
• Costs rise if you invest heavily in SEO, paid ads, or advanced hosting.

Website investment is not a one-time project—it’s an ongoing commitment. Businesses should plan for recurring costs as part of their digital strategy, ensuring sustainability, security, and growth.

Cost Breakdown by Business Type in Sri Lanka

Website costs in Sri Lanka vary not only by features but also by the type of business. Different industries require different levels of functionality, branding, and integrations.

Small Retail Shop

Estimated Range: LKR 80,000 – 200,000

Features: Basic informational site, product showcase, contact details, and Google Maps integration. Ideal for small shops in Colombo or Galle wanting visibility without full e-commerce.

Restaurant or Café

Estimated Range: LKR 120,000 – 350,000

Features: Online menu, reservation/ordering system, mobile responsiveness, social media integration. Online ordering is increasingly popular in Sri Lanka, especially in urban areas.

Educational Institute

Estimated Range: LKR 250,000 – 800,000+

Features: Student portal, LMS (Learning Management System) integration, online application forms, multilingual support. Universities and training centers often require secure logins and document uploads.

Corporate Company

Estimated Range: LKR 400,000 – 1,200,000+

Features: Professional branding, multiple service pages, investor relations section, career portal, and advanced security. Corporate sites emphasize credibility and brand alignment.

E-commerce Store

Estimated Range: LKR 250,000 – 700,000+ (scaling to LKR 2,000,000+ for enterprise-level)

Features: Product-heavy catalog, payment gateway integration (PayHere, Stripe, local banks), inventory management, shipping system, discount/coupon features, order tracking. Costs rise with product volume and integrations.

Hidden Costs to Watch Out For

Many Sri Lankan companies focus only on development fees. Overlooking the hidden costs ends up piling up over time. Those expenses can significantly impact your digital strategy without plans.

SSL Certificate Fees

Cost: Free (Let’s Encrypt) to LKR 10,000+/year for premium certificates. SSL is mandatory for security and SEO ranking. Google penalizes non-secure sites.

Premium Plugins

Cost: LKR 5,000 – 50,000/year depending on functionality (SEO, booking, analytics, security). Essential for WordPress and Shopify sites, but costs add up quickly.

Paid Themes

Cost: LKR 7,000 – 25,000 one-time, with some requiring yearly renewals. While templates reduce design costs, premium themes offer better performance and customization.

Payment Gateway Transaction Fees

Cost: Typically 2–3% per transaction (PayHere, Stripe, local banks). For high-volume e-commerce, fees can exceed LKR 100,000 annually.

Website Redesign After 2–3 Years

Cost: LKR 100,000 – 500,000+ depending on scope. Design trends evolve, and outdated websites hurt credibility.

Speed Optimization Costs

Cost: LKR 20,000 – 100,000+ for caching, CDN integration, and performance tuning. Slow websites lose customers—Google reports that a 1-second delay in load time can reduce conversions by 7%.

How to Reduce Website Development Costs (Sri Lanka, 2026)

Building a website is a serious investment. However, smart planning can help Sri Lankan businesses cut costs without sacrificing quality.

Start with MVP (Minimum Viable Product)

Launch a simplified version of your website with only the essentials – product showcase, contact form, and basic branding. It reduces upfront costs and allows you to test market response before scaling.

Use Template Design Initially

Templates cost LKR 7,000 – 25,000, compared to fully custom designs that can exceed LKR 300,000. Modern templates are mobile-friendly and customizable enough for small businesses. 

Prepare Content Before Development

Developers spend extra time (and bill more) if content is missing. Having text, images, and product details ready can cut development time by 20–30%.

Avoid Unnecessary Features at the Beginning

Early addition of chatbots, advanced analytics, or complex booking systems may complicate things. Focus on core features first – expand later when ROI justifies it.

Choose Scalable Hosting

Start with shared hosting (LKR 8,000 – 20,000/year), then upgrade to VPS or dedicated servers as traffic grows. It prevents overpaying for unused capacity while ensuring growth potential.

Is a Cheap Lankan Website Worth It in 2026?

The temptation to cut costs and opt for a cheap website is strong, especially for startups and small businesses in Sri Lanka. But while low-cost websites offer quick entry into the digital space, they often come with trade-offs that affect long-term growth and credibility.

Pros of Low-Cost Websites

• Affordable Entry Point: Basic sites can cost as little as LKR 40,000–80,000, making them accessible for small shops or freelancers.
• Quick Launch: Templates and DIY builders allow businesses to go online within days.
• Minimal Risk for Testing: Useful for validating ideas before investing in a full-scale digital presence.

Cons and Risks

• Security Vulnerabilities: Cheap sites often skip SSL, regular updates, and advanced firewalls, leaving businesses exposed.
• Poor Design and User Experience: Outdated templates or cluttered layouts reduce trust. Studies show 75% of users judge a company’s credibility based on website design.
• Slow Speed: Low-cost hosting and unoptimized code lead to longer load times. Google reports that a 1-second delay can reduce conversions by 7%.
• Limited Scalability: Adding features later (e-commerce, booking systems) often requires a complete rebuild.
• Impact on Brand Credibility: A poorly designed site signals low professionalism. Customers are less likely to trust businesses with outdated or insecure websites.

Long-Term ROI Perspective

• Cheap Website: Saves money upfront but often leads to higher costs in redesigns, lost sales, and poor SEO performance.
• Well-Invested Website: Higher initial cost but delivers better conversions, stronger branding, and scalability.

The modern business landscape, Sri Lankan or not, continues to depend more on online presence. That’s where you’ll need a properly attributed website to set trust, visibility, and growth. The decision isn’t about whether to invest in a website, but how wisely you allocate that investment.

Contact Tectera a web design company in Sri Lanka to develop website in Sri Lanka.

Frequently Asked Questions