How much does a small business website cost? It varies widely based on scope — a simple template site is far cheaper than a custom, multi-page, conversion-focused build. The bigger factors are number of pages, custom design versus template, content and photography, functionality (booking, e-commerce), and ongoing costs like hosting, domain and maintenance. Price the outcome, not just the page count.
What drives the price of a website?
- Number of pages and amount of content
- Custom design vs. a template
- Copywriting, photography and graphics
- Features: online booking, e-commerce, integrations
- SEO setup and conversion optimization built in
Is it cheaper to build it myself?
DIY website builders lower the upfront cost, and they can work for very simple needs. The trade-off is your time and the risk of a site that looks generic or doesn’t convert. For many businesses, a professional, conversion-focused site pays for itself in booked work.
What are the ongoing website costs?
Beyond the build, budget for domain registration, hosting, security/SSL, and maintenance or updates. A website is an asset that needs upkeep — plan for ongoing costs, not just a one-time fee.
How do I know if a website is worth the price?
Judge it by what it produces: does it load fast, work on mobile, build trust, and make it obvious how to contact you? A cheaper site that doesn’t convert is the expensive option. Make sure you own your domain, site and accounts — not the agency.