Anyone who runs a business in Japan eventually asks the same question: how much does a website cost? The short answer is "it depends", but we can be much more precise than that. This guide explains what makes up the price, which costs appear after launch, and how to compare quotes without falling into traps.
What goes into the price of a website
A business website is usually the sum of five parts:
- Planning and content: deciding the pages, text, photos and what visitors should do (call, send a message, buy).
- Design: the layout, adapted for mobile. In Japan, most visits to small business sites come from smartphones.
- Development: turning the design into working pages, with a contact form, map and LINE or WhatsApp buttons.
- Languages: each extra language (Japanese, English, Portuguese, Vietnamese...) adds translation and review work.
- Publishing: domain, hosting, SSL certificate and basic SEO setup.
The more pages, languages and special features (bookings, online shop, member area), the higher the price.
Costs that appear after launch
Many quotes only show the build price. Before signing, also ask about:
- Domain (annual renewal) and hosting (monthly or yearly).
- Maintenance: security updates, backups and small text changes.
- Email on your company domain, which may be billed separately.
- Future changes: replacing photos, updating prices or adding a new page.
A cheap website that nobody updates, that goes offline or gets hacked ends up being expensive.
Three ways to pay
- One-time payment: you pay for the build and then handle (or pay for) maintenance separately.
- Monthly subscription: a fixed monthly fee that covers build, hosting and maintenance. Good if you don't want a large upfront cost.
- Do it yourself (Wix, Jimdo, WordPress): cheaper in money, but it takes your time and the result depends on who builds it.
How to compare quotes
Use this checklist so you don't compare different things:
- How many pages and languages are included?
- Is the site responsive (does it work well on phones)?
- Are hosting, domain and SSL included? For how long?
- Who owns the domain and the code? (Ideally, your company.)
- Is there a cancellation fee or a minimum contract?
- What happens if the site goes down? Who fixes it, and how fast?
- Is basic SEO (titles, descriptions, Google Search Console) included?
- In which language will you be supported?
Always ask for the quote in writing, with these answers.
What it costs with KGA IT
KGA IT, based in Kosai (Shizuoka), publishes its prices on its website:
- Monthly web development plan: from ¥5,000/month, no setup fee and no lock-in, with design, hosting, publishing and support included. The code is 100% yours.
- One-off website development (single payment): from ¥49,800.
- Business IT plan: ¥49,800/month, for companies that want website, system management, automation and security in one package.
These are starting prices, tax included. The final price depends on scope, so the best step is a free quote. See the details on the pricing page and the web development page.
Common mistakes
- Choosing on price alone and later discovering the domain is registered to the agency.
- No Japanese version when your customers are Japanese, or no Portuguese, English or Vietnamese version when your audience is foreign.
- Forgetting security. Outdated sites are a common target. Recent incidents, such as the Yakiniku King app data leak, show that even big brands are affected.
- Not measuring results. Without Google Search Console and Analytics, you can't tell whether the site brings customers.
How KGA IT can help
KGA IT serves businesses in Japan in 9 languages, including Japanese, English and Portuguese. We build the site, keep everything in your company's name, take care of hosting and maintenance, and explain each step without jargon. If you already have a website and just want to know whether a redesign is worth it, we'll assess it for free.
Want a quote for your company website? The consultation is free and with no obligation. Contact KGA IT through the contact page, LINE or WhatsApp.