Web Design · Seattle, WA
Seattle web design, now that Washington taxes website development.
Since October 1, 2025, Washington has treated custom website development as a retail sale subject to sales tax. It belongs in the budget, and it is a good reason to know exactly what you are buying.
Washington's ESSB 5814, passed in 2025, made a list of services retail sales subject to sales tax from October 1, 2025. The Department of Revenue's guidance includes custom website development, which it describes as website design, development and support, while excluding web hosting and domain registration. A 2026 follow-up law exempted purchases by public libraries and K-12 schools but left the rule in place for businesses. Out-of-state developers have to collect the tax once their Washington sales pass the state's $100,000 economic-nexus threshold.
For a Seattle business commissioning a site, the practical effect is simple. Ask whether tax applies to your quote, and budget for it. It is also a good argument for fixed, published pricing, because a vague hourly estimate with tax added at the end is how budgets drift. Our packages are fixed by page count, starting at $1,500 for up to ten pages, and the pricing page lists every tier. Your accountant should confirm how the rules apply to your purchase.
The site itself has to meet a demanding audience. Census figures put 68.4% of Seattle adults at a bachelor's degree or higher, and the city's economy runs on cloud and commerce. Visitors expect pages that load quickly, forms that never fail silently and writing that respects their time. Original photos, plain language and a booking or quote path that takes seconds matter more than visual flourishes. Most builds go live in seven to ten days, and every package includes the writing, SEO groundwork, lead capture and booking. See the web design service.
What web design has to get right in Seattle
- A quote that states whether Washington sales tax applies.
- Fixed scope and price, so the tax lands on a known number.
- Pages that load quickly, measured on a phone.
- Forms tested end to end, with failures that alert someone.
- Plain language and original photos throughout.
Websites from $1,500
Fixed prices by page count, 0% financing with 25% down, most sites live in 7–10 days.
Seattle by the numbers
68.4%
Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher
Census Reporter — Seattle, WA profile (ACS 2020–2024)Businesses online
Statewide, 97% of Washington small businesses use at least one technology platform and 63% use an AI platform (state scope; survey fielded June 2025).
U.S. Chamber of Commerce — Empowering Small Business 2025 (state scorecards)What runs Seattle
Major employers
Amazon (the city's largest property taxpayer) · University of Washington · Boeing (operations at North Boeing Field) · City of Seattle
The Seattle calendar
- MaySeattle International Film FestivalAnnual film festival.
- Memorial Day weekendNorthwest FolklifeFree folk and world music festival.
- JuneSeattle PrideParade and celebration.
- July to AugustSeafairTorchlight Parade, hydroplanes and an air show.
- Labor Day weekendBumbershootAt Seattle Center.
Local color
Home teams
Seattle Seahawks (NFL) · Seattle Mariners (MLB) · Seattle Kraken (NHL) · Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) · Seattle Storm (WNBA) · Seattle Reign FC (NWSL) · Washington Huskies (NCAA D-I) · Seattle University Redhawks (NCAA D-I)
Hometown names
- Jimi Hendrix — guitarist, born in Seattle
- Bill Gates — Microsoft co-founder, born and raised in Seattle
- Chris Cornell — Soundgarden singer, born in Seattle
- Gypsy Rose Lee — burlesque star and author, born in Seattle
Did you know? The 605-foot Space Needle went from groundbreaking to finished in one year and four days, opening in April 1962.
Sources for the facts on this page
- City of Seattle — 2025 ACFR
- Washington DOR — Services newly subject to retail sales tax
- Washington DOR — Interim guidance on custom website development (ESSB 5814)
- Washington DOR — Advertising services
- City of Seattle — B&O tax changes (Seattle Shield)
- City of Seattle — Service activities reclassified to retail
- University of Washington — About
- HistoryLink — Space Needle
- Seafair
- Bumbershoot
- Northwest Folklife
- SIFF
- Jimi Hendrix — Biography
- Gates Foundation — Bill Gates
- Library of Congress — Chris Cornell
- HistoryLink — Gypsy Rose Lee
Web Design for Seattle businesses
See your number in about a minute.
Pick what you need and the price appears on the spot. The developer follows up by phone, text or email — whichever you choose, whenever suits you.
Prefer to talk? (480) 525-7582
How many pages should the site have?
We recommend 51 to 70 pages for the best initial organic SEO rankings: it gives the site proper page depth.
Also need? (pick any, quoted on top)
Rather talk? (480) 525-7582. 0% financing on any project, 25% down. See all pricing
Web Design in Seattle: questions we hear.
Will I pay sales tax on a new website in Washington?
Since October 1, 2025, custom website development is generally a retail sale in Washington, so tax usually applies when the seller is required to collect it. Hosting and domains are excluded. Your accountant should confirm your situation.
Is website maintenance taxed too?
The Department of Revenue's guidance describes the category as design, development and support, so ongoing support may be included. Check with your accountant or the DOR for your specific arrangement.
How much does a site cost before tax?
From $1,500 for up to ten pages, with every tier published. You get the exact number in writing before work starts.
More for Seattle
Web Design nearby
Web Design for Seattle, priced in the open.
Fifteen minutes with the developer, a straight answer, and a number in writing.