"How much will it cost?" is the first question every client asks, and the most common answer, "it depends", is not very helpful. Here is a clear breakdown based on what these systems actually involve, so you can plan a realistic budget.
All prices below are typical ranges for international clients working with me directly. Your exact price depends on the scope we agree in writing.
What you are actually paying for
A working digital business is not one thing. It is usually these parts working together:
- A website that explains the offer and brings people in
- Accounts and sign-up
- Payments, often in more than one currency
- A client dashboard where customers see what they bought
- An admin center where you run everything
- Emails and automation that do the repeated work
The more of these parts you need, and the more they need to talk to each other, the higher the price.
Level 1: Business website with a client dashboard
Typical range: $3,000 to $8,000
A professional website, customer login, a dashboard and payments. Good for consultants, agencies with client portals, course creators and service businesses that want customers to log in and pay online.
Level 2: SaaS starter
Typical range: $15,000 to $35,000
Everything in level 1, plus an admin center, plans and billing, live chat and one core product or plugin. This is the right level for most first-time SaaS founders: enough to launch, take payments and learn from real customers.
Level 3: Full system
Typical range: $50,000 to $120,000
Multiple products, licensing, AI features, team roles and deep automation. GoAutoSiteAI is an example of this level: six WordPress plugins, payments in two currencies, a customer dashboard in nine languages, live chat with team handoff and a full admin center.
The running costs nobody mentions
The build is a one-time cost. Running the system has ongoing costs, and they are the client's own:
- Hosting: often low for a well-built system. Modern cloud platforms can run a small product for very little.
- AI usage: if your product uses AI, you pay per use. In GoAutoSiteAI, writing one English article costs about $0.08 in AI fees.
- Payment fees: card processors and payment gateways take a percentage of each sale.
- Email sending: free tiers cover small volumes, paid plans start when you grow.
- Monthly care (optional): updates, monitoring, fixes and small improvements, typically $500 to $2,500 a month depending on the system.
How to keep the cost under control
- Start with one level. Launch level 1 or 2, get paying customers, then grow.
- Write the scope down. A signed scope before any payment protects both sides.
- Pay in milestones. I work with 40%, 30% and 30%, and you see working software at each step.
- Own your accounts. Hosting, domains and payment accounts should be in your name from day one.
- Ask about source code ownership. It is usually available, and it should be agreed up front.
Get a real number for your idea
Price ranges help you plan, but your idea deserves a real number. Send me your project details or book a free 30-minute call, and you will get a clear plan, scope and price in writing.