TL;DR
There is no single price for a government contractor website, because the cost depends on scope: how many pages, how much content you supply, how deep the accessibility work goes, and what is included beyond the design. This guide explains the factors, what a typical small contractor site includes, and how to compare quotes. We do not publish a price list here, because every project is scoped individually.
For the skim readers: Pages x content x accessibility depth x extras = your number. Fix the scope first and the price follows.
How much does a government contractor website cost?
It depends on scope, and a small, focused site costs much less than a large one. A typical small contractor needs a homepage, a capabilities page, a capability statement page with a PDF, and a contact page. Beyond that, the price moves with the factors below. A reliable provider will give you a fixed quote after a short conversation, not a vague estimate.
We start every project with a free mockup of your homepage, so you see real work before you agree to anything. You can request a mockup for your contractor website once you have read this guide.
What drives the cost?
flowchart TD
A[Start: what does your site need?] ==> B{How many pages?}
B ==>|A few core pages| C[Smaller scope]
B ==>|Many service pages, blog, case studies| D[Larger scope]
C ==> E{Content ready?}
D ==> E
E ==>|You supply it| F[Less writing work]
E ==>|We write it| G[More writing work]
F ==> H{Accessibility depth}
G ==> H
H ==>|Standard good practice| I[Standard build]
H ==>|Formal testing or reports| J[More testing work]
I ==> K[Your fixed quote]
J ==> K
Six factors explain most of the difference between one quote and another:
- Number of pages. A four page site is a different job from a twenty page site with a page for each service.
- Content. Writing, editing and organizing your content takes real time. If you bring clear, accurate copy, the work is smaller.
- The capability statement. A page plus a well made, accessible PDF is more work than a page alone.
- Accessibility depth. Building with Section 508 and WCAG expectations in mind is part of good development. Formal testing and written conformance reports are additional work. See our Section 508 checklist.
- Design and branding. A custom design built around your logo and colors costs more than a standard template, and it also looks far more distinctive.
- Extras. Contact forms, past performance libraries, a blog, search optimization, migration from an old site and ongoing updates each add scope.
What is usually included in a contractor website?
| Item | Usually included | Often a separate line |
|---|---|---|
| Homepage and core pages | Yes | |
| Capability statement page | Yes | |
| Downloadable PDF | Often | Accessible PDF production |
| Your own domain setup | Yes | |
| Hosting and deployment | Yes, for us | Varies by provider |
| Mobile friendly build | Yes | |
| On-page SEO basics | Often | A full SEO program |
| Ongoing updates | Yes |
Always ask for the scope in writing, and ask who owns the site and the domain when the project ends.
Which option should I choose: DIY, template or custom?
| Option | Strength | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| DIY builder | Lowest upfront cost, fast to start | Builder subdomains and template looks can undercut credibility |
| Template site | Quicker and cheaper than custom | Hard to make distinctive, and accessibility varies |
| Custom build | Fits your brand and your buyers, built for speed and accessibility | Needs a clear scope and good content |
For a company that wants buyers to take it seriously, the custom route usually pays for itself in credibility. Our government contractor website development service is custom built, on your own domain.
How do I compare quotes?
Ask each provider the same questions so the quotes can be compared fairly:
- What pages and features are included, exactly?
- Who writes the content, and who approves it?
- Is the capability statement PDF included, and will it be accessible?
- Are hosting, the domain and deployment included, and for how long?
- Who owns the code and the domain at the end?
- What happens after launch if something needs to change?
- Can I see a mockup or past work before committing?
Be cautious of a price that sounds too good to be true, a quote with no written scope, or a provider who cannot explain how they handle accessibility.
What about ongoing costs?
A website has a few ongoing needs: hosting, domain renewal, security updates and content changes as you win work and add past performance. Ask what is included after launch and what is billed separately, so there are no surprises later.
Where can I see the process?
We outline the steps on our government contractor websites page. If you are in New Mexico, see our page for New Mexico government contractor websites.
Frequently asked questions
Is a free mockup really free?
Yes. We build a mockup of your homepage first so you can judge the direction. If you decide not to continue, you owe nothing.
Do I need a new website if I already have one?
Not always. If your current site is on your own domain and already shows your capabilities and identifiers clearly, a refresh might be enough. If it is dated, hard to read on a phone or missing a capability statement page, a rebuild is usually worth considering.
Can I update the site myself later?
That depends on how the site is built. Ask your provider how updates work and whether you can make simple text changes yourself or need help.
