GoDaddy Website Pricing: What You Actually Pay

Staring at GoDaddy's website, you've probably asked yourself, 'So, how much is this actually going to cost me?' You see flashy offers like $9.99/month, but the final bill often tells a different story.

Here's straight talk: GoDaddy's main website builder plans usually start around $10 to $25 per month if you pay yearly. These prices go up if you need more features, like online store tools or extra storage. But that's not the full picture—you need to factor in your domain name, privacy fees, email, and sometimes basic security add-ons.

If you're just looking to put up a simple page, you might slide by on the cheapest plan. Planning to sell products, take payments, or want business-level support? Expect to pay more, sometimes close to $30 or $40 a month with the add-ons. And yes, you can start with a free trial, but don't get too cozy—you'll need to pick a plan when the trial ends.

• The Real Breakdown of GoDaddy Website Costs
• Plan Types and What You Get
• Hidden Fees and Extras to Watch Out For
• Free Trials and How to Save
• Tips for Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck

The Real Breakdown of GoDaddy Website Costs

So you want concrete numbers? Let's not beat around the bush—GoDaddy likes to show their lowest rates, but what you actually pay depends on what you need. The company splits its website services into a few plans, and the cheapest price you see doesn’t always stay that cheap when you add up everything you need to launch.

Here are the main website builder plan costs (based on June 2025 rates if you pay yearly):

Remember, these prices assume you’re paying up front for 12 months. If you go month-to-month, expect to pay about 15-20% more. And prices can change, especially after your first term—GoDaddy renewals are almost always higher.

Your GoDaddy website also needs a domain. The usual .com from GoDaddy costs $12-$20 per year. If you want domain privacy (keeps your details out of public records), you’ll spend another $10-15 a year. Want branded email? That’ll be about $6/month per mailbox with Microsoft 365 through GoDaddy.

Let’s sum it up. Here’s what a basic setup could look like for your first website:

• Website builder plan: $10.99/month billed annually ($131.88/year)
• Domain name: $12-20/year
• Domain privacy: $10-15/year (optional, but recommended)
• Business email: $6/month if you need it ($72/year)

Grand total for a first year? Just under $220 if you check all the boxes. Scale up with e-commerce, extra domains, or a shorter term, and your costs can double. If you’re chasing the cheapest deal, use the 30-day trial to see if the lowest plan actually covers your needs before swiping your card.

Plan Types and What You Get

GoDaddy keeps things simple with four main website builder plans: Basic, Standard, Premium, and Ecommerce. Each one’s got a different set of features, so what you pay depends on what you actually need.

• Basic: Perfect for personal sites or small portfolios. You get templates, SSL security, mobile-friendly design, and a handful of marketing tools. Price usually starts around $10.99/month billed annually.
• Standard: Stepping up, this one’s better for small businesses. It adds basic SEO, expanded marketing tools, and connects with your social accounts. Standard’s about $15.99/month if you get the annual deal.
• Premium: If you want appointment bookings, more messaging options, and even better support, Premium has it. It’s roughly $21.99/month on a yearly plan.
• Ecommerce: Selling things online? You’ll need this one. You get product listings, shipping options, and all the payment stuff (from PayPal to credit cards). It comes in at $24.99/month annually.

Here’s a handy table to compare what each plan gives you for your money (these are 2025 prices if you pay a year upfront):

One more thing—every plan comes with drag-and-drop design, which makes building your site dead easy. The GoDaddy website builder isn’t the fanciest, but it’s about as beginner-friendly as it gets.

Choose your plan based on what you actually need now, not what you might need a year from now. You can always upgrade when you’re ready to grow.

Hidden Fees and Extras to Watch Out For

This is where most people get caught off guard. You sign up for a basic plan on GoDaddy, thinking you’re all set. Then, a few screens later, you realize your bill is creeping up fast. Let’s break down what to actually expect.

First up: the domain name. It’s not always included in your website plan. New .com domains usually run about $12 to $20 per year, and if you want the domain privacy (so your personal info isn’t plastered online), that’s another $10 to $15 per year.

Email hosting isn’t always included either. If you want a professional address like [email protected], GoDaddy charges extra—expect roughly $6 per user per month for Microsoft 365, though they sometimes toss in a basic version for the first year.

Security is another place things add up. Basic SSL (that padlock in the browser) is now included for most sites, but if you want extra features—like malware scanning or backups—those each cost an additional monthly fee. Some folks pay another $7 to $15 per month for these peace-of-mind upgrades.

Renewal sticker shock is real. Intro prices might look cheap, but after the first year they jump. That $11.99 domain? It can shoot up to $20/year or more. Website builder and GoDaddy hosting plans often go up $3-$10 a month after your initial term ends.

• Watch for upsells at checkout—GoDaddy will pitch SEO tools, additional storage, and site backups.
• Transferring domains or making big changes can also come with one-time fees.
• Premium templates and stock photos are usually offered for a price, not included in base packages.

Always check the final bill screen before you pay. The add-ons pile up quickly, and it’s easy to pay a lot more than you expected just by rushing through setup. If you’re on a tight budget, stick to only must-haves, and skip the fancy extras until you see if your site actually needs them.

Free Trials and How to Save

If you're on the fence, GoDaddy gives you a 30-day free trial for its website builder. This isn’t one of those watered down demos, either. You actually get to mess around with most of the key features, like templates, drag-and-drop editing, and even some online store tools for that first month. That’s more than enough time to see if it fits your needs or feels too limiting.

Here’s where you can really stretch your dollar. The first tip is to sign up for the yearly plan instead of paying monthly. GoDaddy almost always lists lower prices for the yearly plans—sometimes you’ll see $2 to $5 difference each month, which piles up over a year. It’s a smart move if you know you’ll need your site for a while.

Second, keep an eye out for seasonal sales. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and back-to-school times usually have deals. I’ve even seen plans drop to $1 per month for the first year if you catch it just right.

And about domains—GoDaddy normally gives you the first year of your domain for free with most annual plans, but watch out for the renewal price after 12 months. Most .com domains jump to their regular rate, which is often around $19.99 per year.

Here’s a quick comparison of typical deals and what to expect after promos:

And don’t forget—GoDaddy lets you try out a plan, but it doesn’t refund for unused months if you quit partway, so pick your plan length carefully. Use that free trial to decide what features you really need. Try building out a test site, connect a temporary domain, maybe even send a pretend order through the online store to check the workflow.

Bottom line: Always use the GoDaddy free trial before paying and lock in yearly discounts if you’re ready to commit. Don’t forget to cancel before your trial ends if you’re not sold. No one likes surprise charges.

Tips for Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck

Plenty of people jump in with GoDaddy and end up paying more than they planned. But if you pay attention to the details, you can avoid those extra costs and still get everything you need. Here’s how to get the most value out of your GoDaddy site:

• Always start with a free trial. GoDaddy gives you a 7-day trial for their website builder. Use this to test every feature you might want before you pay. Don’t skip this step—you’ll quickly find out if a certain plan is more than you need.
• Sign up for annual billing instead of monthly. You’ll usually save about 10-20% compared to paying month-to-month. This adds up, especially over a year.
• Snag a promo code before you buy. GoDaddy blasts out discounts all the time, especially for new users. A quick Google search for GoDaddy promo codes can save you anywhere from 20% to 50% off your first term.
• Buy your domain at the same time as your plan. Some plans give you a free domain for the first year. If you wait or buy separately, you might pay $10 to $20 extra.
• Skip upsells you don’t need. GoDaddy loves to tack on stuff at checkout (email, privacy protection, SSL, and more). Only add what actually matters to your site. You can add extras later if you need them.

If you’re trying to pick the best plan, take a look at what you really need. Here’s a quick table showing what’s included in each main plan as of 2025:

One simple hack: If you know you’re going to be on GoDaddy for a while, don’t be afraid to call sales and ask for a deal when your renewal comes up. A lot of folks score discounts just by asking, even if they’re not new customers.

No matter which GoDaddy plan you pick, always keep an eye on the renewal price. First-year deals are nice, but prices usually jump by 20%–40% in year two. Set a reminder before your term ends to shop around or try to get a better rate, so you’re never caught off-guard.