The Short Answer
A functional small business website costs between $0 and $10,000 depending on how you build it and what you need.
Here is the realistic breakdown for 2026:
| Approach | Upfront Cost | Monthly Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY Builder (Wix, Squarespace) | $0 to $200 | $15 to $50 | Budget-conscious owners comfortable with technology |
| Template with Professional Setup | $300 to $1,500 | $10 to $50 | Businesses that want polish without custom pricing |
| Custom Development | $1,000 to $10,000+ | $0 to $100 | Businesses that need specific functionality or SEO performance |
Most small businesses land in the $1,000 to $3,500 range for a professional site that actually works. Below that, you are making tradeoffs. Above that, you are paying for complexity you may not need yet.
The rest of this guide explains what drives those numbers and how to decide what makes sense for your situation.
Option 1: DIY Website Builders
Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and Weebly let you build a website yourself using drag-and-drop interfaces.
What You Get
- Pre-designed templates you customize with your content
- Hosting included in your monthly fee
- Basic forms, galleries, and booking integrations
- Mobile-responsive layouts (usually)
What You Pay
Upfront: $0 to $200 for premium templates or one-time setup fees
Monthly: $15 to $50 depending on the plan tier
Annual: $180 to $600
The Real Cost: Your Time
DIY builders advertise simplicity, but the learning curve is steeper than the marketing suggests. Expect to spend:
- 10 to 20 hours on initial setup if you have never done this before
- 2 to 5 hours per month on updates and troubleshooting
- Additional time watching tutorials when things break
For a business owner billing $50 to $200 per hour, that "free" website quickly costs thousands in lost productive time.
When DIY Makes Sense
- You genuinely enjoy tinkering with technology
- Your business is pre-revenue and every dollar matters
- You only need a basic online presence, not lead generation
- You have 20+ hours to dedicate to learning the platform
When DIY Backfires
- You need the site to actually generate leads or rank in Google
- Your time is worth more than the cost of hiring someone
- You pick a platform, invest hours, then realize it cannot do what you need
- You end up with a site that looks "template-y" and hurts your credibility
For a deeper comparison between DIY and professional options, see our guide: Custom Software vs Off the Shelf.
Option 2: Template Setup by a Professional
This middle-ground option uses pre-built templates but has a professional configure, customize, and launch the site for you.
What You Get
- A polished template customized with your branding, copy, and images
- Proper setup of forms, analytics, and basic SEO
- Mobile testing and cross-browser checks
- A site that looks professional without custom design fees
What You Pay
Upfront: $300 to $1,500 depending on the template platform and customization level
Monthly: $10 to $50 for hosting and platform fees
The Tradeoffs
Templates are faster and cheaper, but you inherit their limitations:
- Design constraints: You can change colors and fonts, but structural changes are difficult or impossible
- Similar sites: Your competitor may use the same template
- Plugin dependency: Many features require third-party plugins that add cost and complexity
- SEO ceiling: Template architecture often limits how well you can optimize for search engines
When Templates Make Sense
- You need a professional site quickly and affordably
- Your business model does not depend heavily on organic search traffic
- You want something better than DIY without custom pricing
- Your industry is not highly competitive online
Option 3: Custom Website Development
Custom development means building a site specifically for your business rather than adapting a pre-built template.
What You Get
- Design tailored to your brand and goals
- Architecture optimized for your specific user journey
- Clean code that loads fast and ranks well
- Full ownership of the final product
- Flexibility to add features as your business grows
What You Pay
Basic Custom Site (5 to 8 pages): $1,000 to $3,500
This covers a homepage, about page, services, contact form, and a few additional pages. Includes responsive design, basic SEO setup, and launch support.
Mid-Range Custom Site (10 to 20 pages): $3,500 to $7,500
Adds blog functionality, multiple service pages, custom forms, integrations with booking or CRM systems, and more advanced SEO.
Complex Custom Site (20+ pages, custom features): $7,500 to $25,000+
E-commerce, member portals, custom calculators, API integrations, and advanced functionality.
Monthly: $0 to $100 for hosting, depending on traffic and infrastructure
Why Custom Costs More
You are paying for:
- Discovery: Understanding your business, audience, and goals before designing anything
- Design: Creating layouts, visuals, and user flows specific to your needs
- Development: Writing clean, performant code rather than configuring plugins
- Optimization: Building for speed, SEO, and conversion from the start
- Iteration: Revisions until the site actually meets your requirements
Agencies and freelancers spread these costs across their project rates. The cheap options skip most of these steps.
When Custom Makes Sense
- Your website needs to generate leads or sales, not just exist
- You compete in a market where online presence affects revenue
- You have specific requirements templates cannot handle
- You want a site that reflects your actual business quality
- You plan to invest in SEO and need a solid technical foundation
For more on the custom development process, see: What to Expect When Working With a Custom Software Developer.
What Actually Affects the Price
Understanding price drivers helps you make informed decisions and avoid surprises.
1. Number of Pages
More pages mean more design, content, and development work. A 5-page site costs less than a 20-page site.
However, page count matters less than page complexity. Five highly customized pages with interactive elements cost more than fifteen simple text pages.
2. Design Complexity
- Simple: Clean layouts with minimal custom graphics. Faster and cheaper.
- Moderate: Custom icons, illustrations, or photography integration. Mid-range.
- Complex: Animations, interactive elements, or highly branded visuals. Premium pricing.
3. Content Creation
Do you have professional photos, written copy, and clear brand guidelines? Or does the developer need to create or source these?
Content creation can add $500 to $3,000 to a project depending on scope.
4. Functionality Requirements
Basic contact forms are simple. Online booking, e-commerce, member areas, custom calculators, or third-party integrations add significant complexity and cost.
5. SEO Requirements
A site that simply exists online is cheaper than one built to rank in Google. Proper SEO requires:
- Keyword research and content strategy
- Technical optimization (site speed, mobile performance, structured data)
- On-page optimization for each page
- Ongoing monitoring and adjustments
If search traffic matters to your business, budget for SEO from the start rather than bolting it on later.
Learn more: Phoenix Small Business SEO Audit
6. Timeline
Rush projects cost more. A reasonable timeline (3 to 6 weeks for custom sites) allows for better work at standard rates. "I need this in a week" pricing reflects the opportunity cost of prioritizing your project.
7. Revisions
Most quotes include a set number of revision rounds. Endless changes outside the original scope increase costs. Clear communication about requirements upfront reduces revision cycles.
Hidden Costs to Budget For
Beyond the initial build, expect these ongoing expenses:
Domain Name: $15 to $50 per year
Your web address (yourbusiness.com). Simple and essential.
Hosting: $0 to $100 per month
Where your site lives online. DIY platforms include hosting. Custom sites need separate hosting, which ranges from $10 per month for basic shared hosting to $50 or more for performance hosting.
Modern platforms like Vercel offer generous free tiers for most small business sites.
SSL Certificate: Usually Free
The security lock icon in browsers. Most hosting providers include this at no extra cost now.
Email: $5 to $15 per user per month
Professional email ([email protected]) typically requires Google Workspace or Microsoft 365.
Maintenance: $0 to $200 per month
WordPress sites need regular updates, backups, and security patches. Budget for this or pay for a maintenance plan. Sites built on modern frameworks like Next.js require less ongoing maintenance.
Stock Photos: $50 to $500
Unless you have professional photography, you may need licensed images.
Plugin and App Fees: Variable
Many useful features require paid plugins or integrations. These add up.
How to Choose the Right Option
Choose DIY if:
- You have more time than money right now
- You enjoy learning new technology
- You only need a basic online presence
- Your business does not depend on your website generating leads
Choose Template Setup if:
- You want professional results without custom pricing
- You need a site quickly
- Your requirements fit within template capabilities
- Design uniqueness is not critical for your industry
Choose Custom Development if:
- Your website needs to generate measurable business results
- You compete in a market where online presence matters
- You have specific requirements templates cannot handle
- You plan to invest in SEO and need proper technical foundations
- You want to own a real business asset, not rent a template
Our Approach: What We Charge and Why
At eidoSOFT, we focus on custom websites for small businesses that need their site to actually work, not just exist.
Professional Website Package: $1,000 to $3,500
Includes:
- Custom design tailored to your business
- Mobile-optimized, fast-loading site
- Basic SEO setup and Google Analytics integration
- Contact forms and essential functionality
- 1 to 2 weeks typical turnaround
- You own everything when we are done
We use modern technology (Next.js, Tailwind CSS) that loads faster and requires less maintenance than WordPress. No monthly platform fees eating into your budget.
What we do not do:
- Rush jobs that compromise quality
- Cookie-cutter templates with your logo swapped in
- Nickel-and-dime pricing for every small change
See our full pricing: eidoSOFT Pricing
Or start with a conversation: Free Consultation
Questions to Ask Any Web Developer
Before hiring anyone, get clear answers to:
- What is included in the quoted price? Get a detailed scope in writing.
- What is not included? Content creation, stock photos, hosting, and maintenance often fall outside base quotes.
- How many revision rounds are included? Avoid unlimited revisions promises, they usually mean vague scope.
- Who owns the final site? You should own your domain, hosting account, and all code when the project ends.
- What happens after launch? Understand maintenance expectations and costs.
- What technology will you use? WordPress, Wix, custom code? Each has different long-term implications.
- Can I see examples of similar projects? Past work demonstrates capability better than promises.
Red Flags to Avoid
Prices That Seem Too Good
A $200 custom website either is not custom or cuts corners you will pay for later.
Vague Scope Documents
"We will build you a great website" is not a scope. Demand specifics.
No Portfolio or References
Experienced developers have work to show. Ask for it.
Ownership Restrictions
Some developers retain ownership of code or lock you into their hosting. Your site should be yours.
Guaranteed Rankings
No one can guarantee Google rankings. Anyone who claims otherwise is lying or using risky tactics.
Monthly Fees With No Clear Value
Hosting costs $10 to $50 per month. If someone charges $200+ monthly for "maintenance" on a simple site, ask exactly what that covers.
Bottom Line
Most small businesses should expect to spend $1,000 to $3,500 for a professional website that looks good, loads fast, and actually helps their business.
Below $1,000, you are either doing significant work yourself or accepting real limitations in quality and capability.
Above $5,000, you are paying for complexity, scale, or specific functionality that may or may not be necessary for your current stage.
The right investment depends on how important your website is to your business model. A plumber who gets most clients from referrals needs a different site than a consultant who generates leads through content marketing.
Figure out what your website needs to do, then find someone who can deliver that at a price that makes sense for your business.
Ready to talk specifics? Get a free consultation and we will give you an honest assessment of what your business actually needs.
FAQs
How much does a basic small business website cost?
A basic 5-page website typically costs $1,000 to $3,000 for custom development, $300 to $800 for a template setup, or $0 to $200 for DIY builders. The range depends on who builds it and how much customization you need.
What is the cheapest way to get a website for my business?
DIY website builders like Wix or Squarespace are the cheapest option at $15 to $50 per month. However, you will spend significant time learning the platform and may end up with a site that looks generic or performs poorly in search.
Why do custom websites cost more than templates?
Custom websites are built from scratch for your specific business needs. You are paying for design time, development hours, SEO optimization, and ongoing adjustments. Templates are pre-built structures with limited customization options.
Are there hidden costs with small business websites?
Common hidden costs include domain renewal ($15 to $50 per year), hosting ($10 to $100 per month), SSL certificates (often free now), stock photos ($50 to $200), plugin or app fees, and ongoing maintenance.
Should I pay for website maintenance?
If your website runs on WordPress or another CMS with plugins, yes. Security updates, plugin conflicts, and backups require regular attention. Modern frameworks like Next.js have fewer maintenance requirements after launch.
How long does it take to build a small business website?
DIY sites can launch in a weekend if you push through. Template setups take 1 to 2 weeks with a professional. Custom websites typically take 2 to 6 weeks depending on scope and revision cycles.
Eiji
Founder & Lead Developer at eidoSOFT