Founder of Goodspeed
Planning to build a website with Framer? Smart choice. Framer development can be faster and more cost-effective than traditional web development—when you plan it right.
But here's what most people don't realize: figuring out how much to budget isn't about finding the "typical" Framer agency fees. It's about understanding what drives those costs in the first place.
Whether you're a startup watching every dollar or an established business ready to invest in a premium site, your first step is understanding what influences these costs. This helps you set a realistic budget that aligns with your goals—and avoid surprises down the road.
Ready to break down how to set a budget for Framer development? Let's dive in.
Factors That Influence Framer Development Costs
Each project has its own requirements that can significantly alter the overall budget of the project. By understanding the key cost factors of your project, you can plan ahead and avoid any kind of unexpected expenses.
Project Scope & Complexity
Remember that simple brochure site you saw last week? A basic 5-page Framer site might start at $5,000.
But add a snazzy product configurator or complex animations, and your costs shift quickly. Each integration—like connecting your CRM or setting up analytics—adds another layer of complexity.
Design Depth & Customization
Here's a decision that dramatically impacts your budget: do you need a completely unique design, or can you start with existing components?
Starting with Framer templates might save you $5,000-15,000 in design costs. But if you need that one-of-a-kind look? Custom UI design could double your initial budget—though it might be worth every penny for brand differentiation
Team Expertise & Experience
Think about it: would you hire a rookie pilot for a commercial flight?
Senior Framer developers might charge $150-200 per hour, while junior developers might cost half that. But experienced teams often work faster and avoid costly mistakes, potentially saving money in the long run.
Timeline & Urgency
The phrase “Time is Money” becomes quite literal when it comes to website development, especially with Framer. Your project's timeline plays a significant role in determining costs.
Need your site next month? That's possible, but it'll cost you.
Rush projects typically add 25-50% to your budget. Why? Teams might need to work overtime or put other projects on hold to meet your deadline.
Post-Launch Support & Maintenance
Here's where many budgets go wrong: forgetting about life after launch. Launching a Framer website is just the beginning—keeping it running smoothly requires ongoing support and maintenance.
Monthly support packages usually run between $500-2,000, depending on your needs. This isn't just about fixing bugs—it's about keeping your site fresh and performing at its best. You may think of this as an investment rather than an expense incurred.
The key? Plan for at least 6-12 months of support in your initial budget. It's much cheaper than emergency fixes down the road.
Common Pricing Models for Framer Projects
Understanding common pricing structures helps you in planning how to allocate funds efficiently.This helps you make informed decisions, avoid unexpected costs, and choose the best structure for your budget and goals.
Fixed-Price Packages
Ever ordered a set menu at a restaurant? Fixed-price projects work similarly.
Your agency quotes you one price for the whole project. You know exactly what you'll get and how much it'll cost. No surprises.
Great for: Landing pages, simple marketing sites, or any project where you can define everything upfront.
Watch out though—changes mid-project usually mean extra costs. Make sure you're crystal clear about what's included.
Example: A fixed-price package for a standard landing page for personal use may range from $5,000 to $15,000 monthly.
Hourly or Time & Materials
Think of this like hiring a lawyer—you pay for the time spent on your project.
Hourly rates for Framer development typically range from $75-200, depending on expertise. While this might seem expensive, it gives you the freedom to adjust your project as you go.
Perfect for: Complex projects where requirements might change, or when you're not 100% sure about all the features you'll need.
Retainer or Ongoing Services
Need ongoing help after launch? Retainer agreements are your friend.
You pay a set monthly fee for a guaranteed amount of support time. Maybe it's 10 hours a month for updates, or perhaps it's full-service maintenance.
This works great if you plan to regularly update your site or roll out new features over time.
(Want to dive deeper into pricing models? Check out our detailed guide on "Understanding Different Pricing Models for Framer Development.")
Estimating Project Timeline & Resource Allocation
A well-planned Framer project isn’t just about sleek design and smooth animations—it requires accurate time estimation and efficient resource allocation to stay on track and within budget. Time is money, and a realistic schedule ensures you don’t underestimate costs.
Phase-by-Phase Planning
Breaking down your project into distinct phases helps in resource allocation and budget forecasting.
A successful Framer project follows a structured process:
Discovery & Design for planning and wireframes,
Core Build for development,
Testing & QA for functionality,
Launch for deployment, and
Post-Launch Support for ongoing improvements.
This ensures a seamless, optimized, and evolving website experience.
Considering Iterative or Agile Approaches
Many teams prefer an agile workflow, where the project evolves through multiple sprints. Multiple development cycles can lead to mid-project budget adjustments, making financial flexibility essential.
Setting aside contingency funds—typically 10-20% of the total budget—helps accommodate iterative refinements, unexpected challenges, and evolving project requirements without derailing timelines or compromising quality.
Allocating Buffer for Revisions
Design tweaks and user feedback loops can add time and cost. Client feedback cycles can extend timelines, especially if major changes are needed, leading to additional revision rounds and potential extra development costs.
Furthermore, user testing insights may reveal necessary last-minute adjustments before launch, making flexibility in both scheduling and budgeting crucial for a smooth project completion.
Pro Tip: Always include a 10-20% contingency in your budget to handle unforeseen changes and ensure smooth project completion.
Tips for Setting a Realistic Budget
Many projects go awry due to under-budgeting or hidden costs. A well-thought-out budget prevents unnecessary surprises and ensures smooth execution.
Define Must-Have vs. Nice-to-Have Features
To manage costs effectively, it's good to prioritize essential features that directly impact user experience. Secondary features can be phased in later, ensuring the core functionality is delivered first while allowing for future enhancements without exceeding the initial budget.
For instance, a startup launching an MVP might focus on core pages and basic animations first, adding advanced interactions post-launch.
Get Multiple Proposals
Comparing quotes from 2–3 Framer agencies or freelancers helps establish a realistic budget range while ensuring competitive pricing.
Evaluating different approaches allows you to assess expertise, service offerings, and overall value, helping you make an informed decision that maximizes your investment.
Request Transparent Cost Breakdowns
A detailed proposal should clearly outline costs for design, development, integrations, and revisions, ensuring transparency in fund allocation. This helps prevent surprise charges and provides a clear breakdown of expenses, allowing for better budgeting and informed decision-making throughout the project.
Plan for Maintenance & Upgrades
If you anticipate regular content updates, consider monthly support packages to ensure ongoing maintenance. Additionally, budgeting for long-term enhancements and security updates keeps your Framer site optimized, secure, and aligned with evolving business needs.
Common Budgeting Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
Budgeting for a Framer project isn’t just about setting a number—it’s about anticipating potential financial pitfalls and making informed decisions to stay on track.
Understanding common budgeting mistakes can save you from:
unexpected costs,
delays, and
scope creep.
Knowing what often goes wrong can help you sidestep common mistakes and avoid unnecessary expenses.
Are you someone who is preparing a Framer budget for the first time? Click on “Common Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Framer Development Agency” to refrain from making any mistakes!
Underestimating Complexity
You know how what seems like a simple magic trick actually takes months of practice? That's often the case with Framer projects.
We’ve seen clients say "Oh, we just want a simple animation where the logo spins and transforms into a butterfly" – only to discover that this "simple" animation requires complex code and precise timing. Always assume your project has hidden complexities, and budget extra for them.
Ignoring Post-Launch Costs
Imagine buying a car but forgetting about gas, insurance, and maintenance – that's what happens when you ignore post-launch costs.
Remember to factor in:
Monthly hosting costs (typically $20-200 depending on your needs)
CMS subscription fees
Regular maintenance and updates
Security patches
Content updates
Additionally, assuming the project ends at launch without accounting for long-term updates and future enhancements can result in an underfunded post-launch phase, leaving your site vulnerable to issues down the line.
Over-Focus on Lowest Bid
Choosing the cheapest option may seem like a cost-saving strategy, but it often leads to poor quality, missed deadlines, and higher revision costs. Lower-cost developers might lack the necessary experience, resulting in costly rework and potential delays that ultimately exceed the initial savings.
Here's a real-world example: A company chose the lowest bidder at $3,000 for their project, only to spend $8,000 in revisions and fixes later. The experienced developer who quoted $7,000 would have actually been cheaper in the long run.
Not Aligning Budget with Business Goals
This is about aligning your budget with what actually matters for your business. For instance, if you're an e-commerce site, spending $5,000 on fancy animations but only $500 on the checkout experience is like having a beautiful storefront with a broken cash register.
Think about your core business goals first:
Are you trying to generate leads? Prioritize your budget for contact forms and landing pages
Selling products? Focus on product displays and checkout optimization
Building brand awareness? Invest in unique interactive experiences and social sharing features
Remember, a successful Framer project isn't about how many fancy features you can cram in – it's about creating something that serves your business goals while staying within your means. Like a good chef, sometimes you need to know what to leave out of the recipe to make the perfect dish.
Need help figuring out where to start? Consider breaking your budget into percentages rather than fixed numbers:
50% for core development
20% for testing and optimization
15% for post-launch support
15% for contingency
This way, whether your total budget is $5,000 or $50,000, you'll maintain a healthy balance across all crucial areas.
When to Spend More for Better ROI?
Think of building a Framer project like building a house. Sure, you could save money upfront by cutting corners, but those savings might cost you dearly in the long run. Let's explore when spending a bit more can actually save you money and headaches.
Expert vs. Novice Teams
Have you ever tried learning a new skill and thought "I wish I'd known this from the start"? That's exactly what you're paying for with experienced Framer developers.
While their rates might be $100-150/hour compared to $50-75/hour for newer developers, they bring invaluable expertise that can:
Cut development time in half
Anticipate and prevent common problems
Implement best practices from day one
Reduce debugging and testing time
For example, one of our clients initially hesitated at a senior developer's rate but ended up saving 30% on their total project cost because the work was done right the first time.
Scalable Architecture from Day One
Investing in scalable architecture is like building a house with room to grow.
Here's what that might include:
Component-based design systems ($3,000-5,000 extra initially)
Comprehensive documentation ($1,500-2,500)
Modular code structure ($2,000-4,000 in additional planning)
While these costs might seem steep, they typically reduce future development costs by 40-60%. Think of it as building the foundation for a skyscraper – even if you're starting with just two floors.
When Your Brand Can't Afford to Stumble
For high-stakes projects like product launches or major rebrands, the cost of getting it wrong far outweighs the cost of getting it right. Consider these real-world scenarios:
A buggy checkout process can cost thousands in lost sales per day
A slow-loading homepage can reduce conversions by up to 40%
Poor mobile optimization can hurt your SEO rankings
In these cases, investing in quality is non-negotiable. It's like buying a suit for a job interview – sometimes you need to spend more to make the right impression.
Brand-Critical Projects
Remember, budgeting for a Framer project isn't just about finding the lowest number – it's about maximizing value. Think of it as an investment in your digital future rather than an expense. Here's a quick checklist to help you decide when to increase your budget:
Is this project central to your revenue generation?
Will it be handling sensitive customer data?
Does it need to scale significantly in the next 1-2 years?
Is it a core part of your brand identity?
If you answered yes to any of these, consider allocating additional resources. Hope you’ve successfully learned how to set a budget for Framer development.
Want to dig deeper? Check out our articles on "Understanding Different Pricing Models in Framer Development" and "How to Choose the Right Agency for Your Project." And remember, every project is unique – don't hesitate to reach out to experienced Framer agencies for a custom quote tailored to your specific needs.
Conclusion
Written By
Harish Malhi
Founder of Goodspeed
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