Web Design Pricing in the Philippines: What You'll Actually Pay
You've gotten quotes. Some came in at ₱15,000 ($270). Others at ₱500,000 ($8,900). For what looks like the same thing: a website.
Now you're trying to figure out who's overcharging and who's cutting corners. That's the real question behind "web design Philippines pricing," and most articles just throw numbers at you without explaining what drives them.
Let me break down what actually affects pricing, what you're really paying for at each level, and how to avoid the expensive mistakes I've seen clients make over 15 years working in Philippine web design.
Why Prices Vary So Much (It's Not Just About Skill)
A website quote from Manila might be 30% higher than one from Cebu for identical work. A "custom" website could mean hand-coded from scratch or a $50 template with your logo slapped on. An experienced developer might charge less than a junior one at a fancy agency.
The Philippine web design market has everything from ₱8,000 ($145) template tweaks to ₱300,000+ ($5,400+) custom applications. Most professional work lands between ₱15,000-₱150,000 ($270-$2,700). But that range is useless without understanding what separates a ₱20,000 ($360) project from a ₱100,000 ($1,800) one.
Here's what actually moves the needle on price: Technical approach matters more than you think. Template customization costs a fraction of custom development. But template sites often perform worse on Google, load slower, and look like everyone else in your industry. The 95% of Filipino designers using WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace can't deliver what modern fullstack frameworks enable.
Location affects overhead, not quality. Manila agencies pay higher rent and salaries. They pass those costs to you. A skilled designer in Cebu or Davao delivers the same quality at lower rates because their cost of living is different.
Experience shows in problem-solving. Junior designers execute tasks. Senior designers anticipate problems, suggest better approaches, and save you from expensive mistakes. That expertise costs more upfront but saves money long-term.
Realistic Pricing by What You Actually Get
Forget "basic" vs "professional" labels. Here's what different price points actually deliver:
₱10,000 - ₱30,000 ($180 - $540): Template Territory
At this price, you're getting pre-built solutions with minimal customization: - WordPress theme or page builder template
- Your logo, colors, and content swapped in
- Basic mobile responsiveness (not optimized, just functional)
- Standard plugins for contact forms, etc.
- Often from Fiverr or similar platforms
This works if: You need basic online presence quickly and cheaply. You're testing a business idea. You don't need to compete on brand perception.
This fails when: You need to stand out in a competitive market. Your customers judge quality by your website. You want organic search traffic.
The uncomfortable truth: most template sites look like template sites. Your competitors probably have the same themes. If price is your only consideration, this tier works. But "cheap" often becomes "expensive" when you need to rebuild in 18 months.
₱40,000 - ₱75,000 ($720 - $1,350): The Risky Middle
- Better quality themes and frameworks
- Some strategic thinking about layout and user flow
- Usually includes basic SEO setup
- Real communication and project management
The catch: You're still limited by the underlying platform. The agency adds margin to the developer's cost. And the "custom design" is often customization of existing components, not creation from scratch.
Many businesses land here by default because it feels "professional" without being "expensive." But it's the tier most likely to disappoint expectations if you're hoping for something distinctive.
₱75,000 - ₱150,000 ($1,350 - $2,700): Genuine Custom Work
This is where custom actually means custom: - Design created from scratch in Figma, not modified templates
- Strategic planning phase with user experience consideration
- Modern development practices and performance optimization
- Mobile-first approach, not just responsive adjustments
- SEO built into the architecture, not bolted on after
- Actual conversion strategy, not just "looks nice"
At this level, you're hiring someone who thinks about your business outcomes, not just deliverables. The difference shows in the details: faster loading, better search rankings, higher conversion rates, and a site that actually differentiates you.
For most established businesses, this is the sweet spot. You get professional-grade work without enterprise budgets.
₱140,000 - ₱448,000 ($2,500 - $8,000): Premium Bespoke Development
Bespoke Pro ($5,000 / ₱280,000): Complete solution for serious businesses. Up to 10 unique page designs, Figma prototype with collaboration feedback, custom CMS backend with team editor access, contact form with submission database (option for multi-step qualifying forms), and privacy-first analytics setup. Plus up to 20 similar page designs for services or locations. 4-6 week delivery.
Bespoke Max ($8,000 / ₱448,000): Full-stack web application for companies needing advanced functionality. Includes everything in Pro, plus: full CMS with backend editing for all pages, custom multi-step flows (onboarding, checkout, booking), custom backend UIs and dashboards, CRM integration (HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive), and e-commerce capabilities with Stripe. 8-10 week delivery.
What makes this different from template-based solutions isn't just more hours. It's a fundamentally different approach. Template sites have ceilings. Custom fullstack development has none. I'm not fitting your needs into existing tools. I'm building tools that fit your needs.
After 15 years of seeing businesses outgrow their websites, I've found the upfront investment in proper architecture pays for itself in avoided rebuilds, better performance, and actual results.
₱448,000+ ($8,000+): Enterprise Applications
Large-scale projects with complex requirements beyond Bespoke Max: - Multi-platform applications with intricate user workflows
- Advanced database architecture and system integrations
- Custom API development and third-party connections
- Enterprise security and compliance
- Scalable infrastructure planning
This level requires custom scoping. If your needs exceed what Bespoke Max covers, let's talk about what you're building.
Location-Based Pricing: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Metro Manila: 20-30% Premium
Manila agencies charge more because their costs are higher: Realistic Manila pricing:
- Basic sites: ₱15,000 - ₱40,000 ($270 - $720)
- Professional sites: ₱40,000 - ₱95,000 ($720 - $1,710)
- E-commerce: ₱65,000 - ₱150,000 ($1,170 - $2,700)
The premium isn't always unjustified. Manila has the largest talent pool and most experience with international clients. But for straightforward projects, you're paying for their rent, not their results.
Cebu City: The Value Sweet Spot
Cebu offers strong technical capability without Manila overhead: Typical Cebu pricing:
- Basic sites: ₱10,000 - ₱30,000 ($180 - $540)
- Professional sites: ₱30,000 - ₱75,000 ($540 - $1,350)
- E-commerce: ₱50,000 - ₱120,000 ($900 - $2,160)
From what I've observed, Cebu-based professionals often deliver the best value for mid-tier projects. Growing outsourcing destination, skilled talent pool, less ego-driven pricing.
Davao and Provincial Areas: Budget-Friendly, Not Budget-Quality
Provincial designers often provide excellent work at lower rates: Provincial pricing:
- Basic sites: ₱8,000 - ₱25,000 ($145 - $450)
- Professional sites: ₱25,000 - ₱60,000 ($450 - $1,080)
- E-commerce: ₱40,000 - ₱95,000 ($720 - $1,710)
Don't assume provincial means amateur. Some exceptional designers work outside major cities specifically because lower overhead lets them compete on quality rather than price. My own base in Cagayan de Oro lets me focus on premium work without Manila's cost structure affecting my rates.
Why the Cheapest Quote Will Cost You More
From Reddit discussions and Hacker News threads about outsourcing, a pattern emerges: "There is a difference between offshoring and cheap-shoring. Most bad experiences are a result of cheap-shoring."
Here's what happens with bottom-dollar web design: Performance problems. Cheap sites are bloated. Slow loading kills conversions and search rankings. Google's Core Web Vitals now directly affect your visibility.
Security vulnerabilities. Budget developers skip security updates, use pirated themes with backdoors, or misconfigure hosting. Getting hacked costs more than doing it right initially.
No strategic thinking. You get what you specify. If you didn't know to ask for conversion optimization or mobile-first design, you don't get it. Then you pay again to fix it.
Disappearing act. Cheapest providers often vanish mid-project or after payment. No ongoing support. No handoff. Just problems you inherit.
According to Philippine industry hiring managers, 80-90% of budget developers lack basic understanding that would prevent these issues. The vetting process most businesses skip is exactly what creates these statistics.
How to Evaluate Quotes Without Getting Fooled
When comparing proposals: Ask about the technical stack. "WordPress" or "Wix" means template-based. "SvelteKit" or "Next.js" means custom development. This single question reveals more than any marketing language.
Request similar work examples. Not just their best projects. Work similar to what you need. Can they show three projects in your industry or complexity level?
Clarify what's included. Hosting setup? Content creation? Training? Maintenance period? SEO? Get specifics in writing.
Understand the timeline. Rush jobs cost more and deliver less. If someone promises a custom site in two weeks, they're not building custom.
Check communication quality. How they communicate during sales reflects how they'll communicate during the project. Slow responses, vague answers, or poor English (when working with international clients) are warning signs.
Red Flags That Should Disqualify Proposals
- Quotes 40%+ below market without explanation
- 100% payment demanded before work starts
- No portfolio or unwillingness to share references
- Vague scope with "we'll figure it out as we go"
- Unable to explain their process clearly
Payment Terms That Protect Both Sides
Standard practice is 50% upfront, 50% on completion. This works because: Upfront payment:
- Secures your project slot
- Covers initial design and development
- Shows serious commitment
- Protects designer from scope creep without compensation
Completion payment:
- Before final files and access transfer
- After you've tested and approved
- Includes basic training
- Activates support period
For larger projects, milestone-based payments (30/40/30 or similar) spread the risk more evenly.
Never pay 100% upfront. No exceptions, regardless of how trustworthy they seem.
Matching Budget to Business Reality
Startup/Bootstrap: ₱10,000 - ₱25,000 ($180 - $450)
Best for:
- Testing business viability
- Local service businesses
- Basic credibility needs
Focus on:
- Mobile responsiveness (87% of Philippine traffic is mobile)
- Local SEO basics
- Clear contact information
- Professional appearance
At this budget, accept limitations. Template sites are fine for proving concepts. Just don't expect them to outperform custom competitors.
Growth Stage: ₱40,000 - ₱100,000 ($720 - $1,800)
Best for:
- Established businesses expanding online
- Companies in competitive markets
- Businesses needing lead generation
Invest in:
- Conversion-optimized design
- Content strategy
- Technical SEO
- Analytics implementation
This is where most serious businesses should start. The investment matches the expected return.
Market Leadership: ₱100,000+ ($1,800+)
Best for:
- Companies where website directly drives revenue
- Businesses competing with well-funded competitors
- Organizations needing custom functionality
Expect:
- Genuine custom development
- Strategic research phase
- Ongoing optimization partnership
- Measurable business outcomes
If your website is a profit center rather than a brochure, investing at this level makes financial sense.
When to Walk Away
Some situations aren't right for Philippine web design outsourcing: - You can't clearly explain what you need in writing
- You require constant real-time collaboration (time zone challenges)
- Your project needs hand-holding through discovery
- You're unwilling to invest management time in the relationship
- You need someone physically present
Making Your Decision
The Philippine web design market offers genuine value. You can get excellent work at 60-75% below Western rates. But "cheap" and "value" aren't the same thing.
For most established businesses: Budget ₱75,000-₱150,000 ($1,350-$2,700) for professional custom work. Add 25% for hidden costs. Expect 4-8 weeks for development. Plan for ongoing maintenance investment.
For startups testing ideas: Start with ₱15,000-₱30,000 ($270-$540) template work. Accept limitations. Budget for replacement when you outgrow it.
For businesses where website is core to revenue: Invest ₱100,000+ ($1,800+) in premium development. The ROI difference between a converting site and a pretty one pays for the premium many times over.
The right choice depends on your business stage, competitive landscape, and how central your website is to your revenue model. Cheap works for some situations. Premium is required for others. Most businesses err by choosing the middle, where they pay professional prices for template results.
Ready to Discuss Your Project?
I work exclusively on premium bespoke projects: Bespoke Starter ($2,500), Bespoke Pro ($5,000), and Bespoke Max ($8,000). Every project starts with research, includes custom Figma design and modern fullstack development in SvelteKit, and focuses on measurable business outcomes rather than just deliverables.
If that matches what you're looking for, book a 15-minute call to discuss your project. No commitment. Just a conversation about what you need and whether we're a fit. For those earlier in the evaluation process, these guides might help: - Direct Hire vs Platforms: Understanding your hiring options- Agency vs Freelancer: Which model works for your needs
- Custom vs Template: Making the right technical choice
- Finding Filipino Web Developers: Complete hiring guide
Transform your website into a revenue-generating asset
Partner with an award-winning Filipino web designer delivering world-class websites to global brands. 15+ years of experience creating sites that convert visitors into customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
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You'll save 60-75% compared to US, UK, or Australian rates for equivalent work. A project costing $15,000-$25,000 from a US agency typically runs $2,500-$8,000 from premium Philippine designers like myself, or ₱40,000-₱75,000 ($720-$1,350) from mid-tier providers. Budget template work drops to ₱10,000-₱30,000 ($180-$540), though quality drops proportionally.
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Three main factors: technical approach (template vs custom), location (Manila vs provincial), and experience level (junior vs senior). A junior Manila designer using templates might charge more than a senior provincial developer doing custom work. The label "web design" covers fundamentally different services at different price points.
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Plan for domain and hosting (₱2,000-8,000 yearly), content creation if you're not providing it (₱5,000-25,000), and ongoing maintenance (₱1,500-8,000 monthly). These can add 20-30% to your quoted design price. Get clarity on what's included versus additional.
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Ask about the technical stack (WordPress vs custom development), request portfolio examples similar to your project, and compare 3-5 quotes for the same scope. If one quote is significantly higher, ask what additional value justifies the difference. If one is significantly lower, ask what's being left out.
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Rarely. The cheapest option often means template work, junior developers, or corners cut on security and performance. You'll likely pay again to fix problems or rebuild entirely. Choose based on value: what results will this investment produce relative to the cost?
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Most designers expect 50% upfront and 50% on completion. Larger projects sometimes use milestone payments (30/40/30). Never pay 100% upfront regardless of promises. Payment methods include PayPal, wire transfers, and sometimes credit cards with processing fees.
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For my bespoke packages: Starter (homepage with blog) takes 2-3 weeks. Pro (up to 30 pages with CMS) takes 4-6 weeks. Max (full-stack applications) takes 8-10 weeks. Rush delivery is possible but costs more and often compromises quality. Template-based work from other providers can be faster but comes with the limitations discussed above.
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With proper vetting, yes. The Philippines has been a global outsourcing hub for decades, developing mature quality standards. The challenge is filtering. According to local hiring managers, 80-90% of candidates lack necessary skills. The remaining 10-20% compete globally. Your job is finding them.
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Manila charges 20-30% premium due to higher operating costs. Cebu offers national average rates with strong quality. Provincial areas run 15-25% below average. Location affects overhead, not necessarily quality. Some excellent designers work outside major cities specifically to offer better value.
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Check their technical stack (custom frameworks vs templates), review case studies with measurable results, assess communication quality, and verify they can explain their process clearly. Premium pricing should come with premium thinking, not just premium outputs.