Alright, let’s talk about the big, scary question every business owner asks: “Seriously, how much is this website going to cost me?” Don’t worry, it’s not as scary as you think.
The quick and simple answer? A basic website, built by a pro, can cost anywhere from $500 to $5,000. If you need your website to do tricks, like sell stuff or book appointments, that price can go up, from $5,000 to over $25,000. The final price just depends on what you need your website to do. You’ve got this, and we’ll figure it out together.
Your Website Budget: What to Expect
Figuring out a website budget is a lot like buying a car. You can get a simple, reliable car that gets you from A to B. Or, you could get a fancy truck with a giant sound system and heated seats. That’s going to cost more, right?
Websites are exactly the same. A simple site that just shows off your work is like that reliable car—it won’t cost much. But a huge online store that takes payments and does your marketing for you? That’s the fancy truck.
Different Paths, Different Prices
First things first, let’s look at your options. There are a few ways to get a website, and each one has a different price tag. It’s easier than it sounds!
- Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Builders: This is like getting a piece of furniture from IKEA. It’s the cheapest way, but you have to build it yourself. Tools like Wix or Squarespace make it super simple.
- Hiring a Freelancer: This is like hiring your nephew to build something for you. They might know what they’re doing and can make something less than average just for you. It’s a great middle-of-the-road choice.
- Working with an Agency: This is like hiring a whole crew to build your dream house. You get a team of experts to handle everything, but it costs the most.
The good news is you can get an amazing website without emptying your bank account. The average small business website from a pro costs between $2,000 and $9,000. And if you build it yourself, you can start for as little as $16 a month. See? You can totally do this!
Want to see more about where these numbers come from? This comprehensive guide on small business website costs is a great read.
Quick Look at Website Costs
Here’s a simple chart to help you see what you might pay.
| Build Method | What It Might Cost Upfront | Best for You If… |
|---|---|---|
| DIY Website Builder | $0 – $500 | You have more time than money and need a simple site. |
| Hiring a Freelancer | $2,000 – $10,000 | You want a special look but don’t need a whole team. |
| Working with an Agency | $10,000 – $25,000+ | You need a big, powerful website with a lot of features. |
This little chart should help you figure out which path is right for you.
Remember this: it doesn’t matter how much you spend. What matters is getting a website that helps your business. A cheap website that gets zero customers is a waste of money. A website that costs more but brings in business is a great deal!
It All Comes Down to Features
At the end of the day, what really changes the price is how much stuff your website does. Every little extra thing you add—like a store, a booking calendar, or a login area for members—adds to the cost.
We’ll break all that down later. For now, just remember that starting simple is the best way to save money. You can always add more cool stuff later as your business gets bigger. Getting online is easier than you think, and you are totally capable of making it happen.
Breaking Down Your Website Bill
Have you ever gotten a bill and thought, “Wait a minute… what am I even paying for?” We’ve all been there. Let’s look at your website’s “receipt” together so there are no surprises.
Knowing what you’re paying for puts you in charge. It’s not one big, scary number; it’s just a few simple pieces.
Think of it like building a house. You don’t just pay for “a house.” You pay for the land, the address, the building plans, and the people who build it. Your website is the same deal.
This picture shows you the main things you’ll pay for.
See? It’s just a few key parts that you need to get your business online. Let’s look at what each one means for your wallet.
Your Website Shopping List Explained
Here’s a quick look at the words you’ll see on a website bill. This is your secret decoder ring so you know exactly what you’re paying for.
| Cost Item | What It Is (In Plain English) | What It Usually Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Domain Name | Your website’s address (like YourBusiness.com). It’s how people find you! |
$10 – $30 a year |
| Website Hosting | The “land” your website lives on. It holds all your pictures and words so people can see them. | $24 – $600 a year |
| Design | The “look and feel” of your site. It makes people feel welcome. | $500 – $15,000+ (one-time) |
| Development | The actual “building” of the site, plus any cool tricks like an online store. | $1,000 – $25,000+ (one-time) |
| Maintenance | The “tune-ups” to keep your site safe and running smoothly, like an oil change for your car. | $50 – $500+ a month |
Knowing these words makes the whole thing a lot less confusing. Now, let’s look a little closer at each one.
The Must-Haves: Your Domain and Hosting
First, let’s talk about the two things you absolutely must have. You can’t have a website without them. No ifs, ands, or buts!
- Your Domain Name: This is your website’s street address, like
YourAwesomeBiz.com. It’s your special spot on the internet that nobody else can have. You’ll pay a small fee for it every year, usually $10 to $30. - Website Hosting: If your domain is the address, hosting is the piece of land where your website lives. It’s a computer somewhere that holds all your stuff—pictures, words, everything—and shows it to people who visit. Hosting can cost anywhere from $24 to $600 a year, depending on how big your website is.
These two things are so important, we have a whole guide that explains the differences between website hosting and domain names.
The Fun Stuff: Design and Development
Now we get to the cool part! This is where your idea turns into a real website that people can use. The cost here can be small or big, depending on what you want.
Website design is how your site looks. It’s the colors, the pictures, and the feeling people get when they visit. Good design makes people happy and tells them they’re in the right place.
Website development is the building part. This is where people (or tools) actually put the website together. If you want to sell things online or let people book appointments, this is where that magic happens. Honestly, this part can change the final price the most.
A website isn’t just something you buy once. It’s a tool that helps your business grow. With over 71% of small businesses now online, having a good website is not a “maybe” anymore—it’s a “must-do”!
Keeping the Lights On: Maintenance
Last but not least, a website needs a little care to stay healthy, just like a car needs oil changes. Website maintenance includes things like security checks to keep bad guys out, updates to keep it running fast, and backups in case anything ever breaks.
You might pay a little bit each month or year for this, but trust me, it’s way cheaper than fixing a broken website from scratch. In 2025, the total cost for a small business website can be anywhere from $120 to over $50,000, and taking care of it is a big part of that.
Understanding these simple pieces makes the total cost a lot less scary. You can do this, and now you know where your money goes.
Choosing Your Path: DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Okay, this is the big decision. Do you build this website yourself, or do you hire a pro to do it for you? Let’s make this super simple.
The Do-It-Yourself (DIY) way is like baking a cake from a box mix. It’s cheap, you just follow the instructions, and you get a pretty good cake. Tools like Wix or Squarespace are your box mix—they give you everything you need to get started.
But just like baking, it takes up your time. You might get a little confused for a minute, but it’s totally something you can do. This is the best choice if you have more time than money and like to learn new things.
Going the DIY Route
Building your own site is a fantastic way to keep your small business website cost low, especially when you’re just starting out. You’re in complete control, and hitting that “publish” button feels amazing!
You’ll use something called a “website builder,” which is just a tool that lets you drag pictures and text around on a screen. No confusing code! If you can write an email, you can build a website. It’s that easy.
The DIY option makes you the boss of your website. Just remember, you have the power… to pick colors that look nice and a font that people can actually read. You got this!
So, when should you go DIY?
- Your budget is small: You can get a great website for a small monthly fee.
- You want to be in charge: You get to make all the fun decisions, like colors and pictures.
- You just need something simple: If you just need a website to show people your phone number and what you do, DIY is perfect.
Hiring a Pro
Hiring a professional is like ordering a fancy, three-layer cake from a bakery. It costs more, but it looks perfect, tastes amazing, and you didn’t have to do any of the work.
A real designer knows all the tricks to build a website that not only looks good but also gets you more customers. This is the best choice if your time is better spent running your business instead of learning how to build a website.
It’s a fact: 73% of U.S. small businesses now have a website. A simple DIY site might cost you $50 to $100 a month, but a custom website from a pro is a real investment, usually costing between $2,000 and $9,000 to start. You can see more cool facts at Network Solutions.
Here’s the deal: there is no wrong answer here. There’s only the right answer for you. Whether you bake the cake yourself or order it from a pro, the most important thing is just getting your business online. That’s the secret to winning.
Avoiding Unexpected Website Costs
Nobody likes a surprise bill. It’s like buying a cool new toy and then finding out the batteries are sold separately. Ugh! Let’s talk about the “hidden” costs of a website so you can be ready for them.
Think of your first website payment as buying a new car. That’s a great start, but you still need to pay for gas and insurance to keep it running. Your website is the same—it needs a little money now and then to stay healthy and ready for customers.
The “Batteries Not Included” List
The good news is these extra costs aren’t big or scary when you know they are coming. Most are small, regular fees that are easy to plan for.
Here are the most common ones you’ll run into:
- Domain Name Renewal: Your website’s address (like
YourBusiness.com) is not something you buy forever. It’s more like a rental that you pay for each year. - Hosting Fees: This is the rent for your website’s home on the internet. You’ll pay this every month or year to keep your site online for everyone to see.
- Premium Plugins or Add-Ons: Need a special calendar for booking appointments or a cool photo gallery? Sometimes the best tools cost a little bit each year to keep them working right.
These are the basics. Just knowing about them puts you ahead of the game and saves you from a last-minute money panic.
Keeping Your Website Safe and Sound
Another cost that sometimes surprises people is security. You lock your doors at night, right? Your website needs locks, too, to keep it safe from online troublemakers. This is super important for protecting your business and your customers.
One of the most important security tools is an SSL certificate. It’s a tiny file that makes a safe connection between your website and your visitors. It’s what puts that little padlock picture next to your address in the web browser, telling everyone your site is safe.
Think of your website budget like a shopping list for a big dinner. You have your main items, like the turkey and potatoes. But you also need to plan for the little things, like spices and napkins. Planning for website security from the start makes sure everything comes together perfectly.
By knowing about these “hidden” parts of your small business website cost, you are in full control. You can make a real budget that covers everything, making the whole thing easy and fun. No surprises, we promise!
How to Get a Great Website on a Budget
Think a great website costs a fortune? Think again! You don’t need a pot of gold to get a professional website that brings you customers. It’s not about spending a lot of money; it’s about spending money smartly.
The number one secret to keeping your small business website cost down is to start simple. Really. Your website can get bigger as your business gets bigger. You don’t need all the fancy bells and whistles right away. A clean, simple website that tells people who you are and how to contact you is way better than no website at all.
Your Secret Weapon: Templates
One of the best ways to save money is by using “templates,” which are just designs that are already made. A template is like a beautiful birthday cake that’s already baked and decorated. All you have to do is add your own special touch—your business name, your words, and your pictures.
Using a template saves a ton of money because you don’t have to pay someone to design your site from scratch. It’s a smart way to get online fast without spending a lot. Our simple guide to website design can help you get started.
Money-Saving Tips You Can Use Today
Getting a great site without spending a lot is totally possible. It’s not about being cheap; it’s about being smart.
Here are a few quick tips:
- Find Free Photos: You don’t need to hire a photographer right away. Websites like Unsplash and Pexels have amazing, professional photos you can use for free. Easy peasy!
- Write Your Own Words: Nobody knows your business better than you. Save money by writing the text for your website yourself. Just talk like you would to a customer.
- Pick the Right Tools: If you want to sell things online, choosing the right tool is important. You’ll want to compare platforms like Ecwid and Shopify to see which one is best for your budget and won’t make you pay for things you don’t need yet.
Getting a website on a budget is like a fun project. Start with the most important stuff, get your business online, and then add more cool things as you grow. You can do this, and we’re here to help if you need it.
You Can Do This (And We Can Help)
Okay, let’s take a breath. We just talked about a lot of stuff—different prices, building it yourself vs. hiring a pro, and all the little things that make up your small business website cost. If it feels like a lot, that’s okay!
But here’s the most important thing to remember: you can absolutely do this.
Getting a good website for your business is one of the smartest things you can do. It’s your 24/7 salesperson and your front door on the internet. Your goal isn’t to become a website expert. It’s just to make a smart choice that helps your business grow.
A website isn’t just another bill—it’s a tool. Think of it like your best employee, one who works all day and all night to bring you customers. All you have to do is give it what it needs to do a great job.
Whether you decide to build it yourself or get some help, you’re the one in charge. This is your chance to build something that helps you succeed. And if you ever feel stuck or just want to ask a question, we are here to help.
When you’re ready to get your business online the right way, our team can help you with your website design. No pressure and no confusing tech-talk—just a simple chat about what you need to grow your business. Let’s do this!
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have a few questions? You’re not the only one. Figuring out the cost of a website can feel like trying to guess the number of jellybeans in a jar.
Here are some quick and simple answers to the questions we get all the time.
What Is the Cheapest Way to Build a Website?
The cheapest way to get online is to build it yourself using a tool like Wix or Squarespace. For a small monthly fee, you get everything you need: nice-looking designs, hosting, and simple tools to put it all together.
Yes, it takes some of your time. But it’s the best way to get a professional website without spending a lot of money upfront. You can do this!
How Much Should I Plan for Yearly Website Maintenance?
Great question! If you build the site yourself, the maintenance cost is usually just included in your monthly plan. Simple.
If you have someone build a custom site for you, a good idea is to plan for about 10-15% of the first-year cost for every year after that. This money isn’t just for fun; it pays for important things like security checks and updates. It’s what keeps your website safe from internet gremlins and running perfectly.
Is SEO Included in the Cost of a Website?
Usually, no. Think of it this way: the website cost pays to build your online home. The website is the car.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the gas and the map that helps customers find your home. It’s an extra service that helps you show up on Google. While it’s not part of the building price, you can get a great start with our small business SEO checklist.
Why Does Website Pricing Vary So Much?
The price is all over the place because a “website” can be anything from a simple online business card to a giant online store. They’re just not the same thing.
A simple, one-page website is like a bicycle—it’s cheap, it works, and it gets you where you need to go. A huge online store with tons of products is like a giant airplane—it does a lot more, and it costs a lot more to build and fly.
The final price always depends on how much time and skill it takes to do the job right.
Ready to get a website that works as hard as you do? At The Cherubini Company, we build simple, powerful websites that get you more customers without the headache. Let’s have a simple, friendly chat about what your business needs to grow.
