Short answer: most small businesses spend between $300 and $5,000 to have a website designed, plus roughly $100–$500 a year to keep it online. A do-it-yourself builder can cost less up front but more over time, and an agency site can run well past $20,000. The right budget depends on how many pages you need and how much of the work you want to do yourself.
Website pricing is confusing because two quotes for “a website” can describe completely different things: a one-page template you fill in yourself, or a custom-designed site with a dozen pages, forms and hosting included. This guide breaks down what each option really costs — up front and every year after.
Website Costs at a Glance
Typical ranges for a small business site of 5–15 pages. Individual providers vary.
| Option | Up-front cost | Yearly cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY website builder | $0 – $100 | $200 – $600 (subscription) | Very simple sites, if you have time to build it yourself |
| Marketplace freelancer | $200 – $1,500 | Hosting extra | Tight budgets, if you vet the seller carefully |
| Website design service | $300 – $2,500 | Often first year of hosting included | Small businesses that want a custom design without agency prices |
| Local freelancer or small studio | $2,000 – $8,000 | $300 – $1,500 (hosting and care plans) | Businesses wanting a close working relationship |
| Agency | $10,000 – $50,000+ | $1,000+ | Larger companies, complex sites, online stores at scale |
What Actually Drives the Price?
- Number of pages. Each page needs its own layout and content. A 5-page site and a 15-page site are very different jobs.
- Custom design vs. template. A template is quick and cheap but looks like thousands of other sites. A custom design is built around your brand.
- Forms and features. Contact forms, quote requests, booking systems and online payments all add work.
- Who writes the content. Most quotes assume you supply the text and photos. Copywriting and photography are usually extra.
- Editing. If you want to update the site yourself, it needs a content management system such as WordPress, which adds set-up and hosting cost.
- Hosting and maintenance. Every site has to live somewhere. Some prices include it; many do not.
The Yearly Costs Most Quotes Leave Out
The design is a one-off payment. Running the site is not. Budget for:
- Domain name: about $10–$30 a year.
- Hosting: $50–$500 a year depending on the site and the provider.
- Email addresses on your own domain, if not included with hosting.
- Updates: new prices, new photos, a new service page. Either your time or someone else’s.
- Builder subscriptions: with DIY builders the site only exists while you keep paying, so the yearly fee never stops.
When comparing quotes, add up the first two years, not just the launch price.
Is a Website Builder Cheaper?
At the start, yes. Over time, not always. A builder subscription of $25–$40 a month costs $300–$480 a year, every year, and you do the design work yourself. If your time is better spent running the business, a designed site with hosting included can work out cheaper within two or three years — and it will not look like a template.
How Much Should a Small Business Spend?
- Just starting out: a clean, custom-designed 5-page site (Home, About, Services, Gallery or Portfolio, Contact) is enough for most businesses. Expect a few hundred dollars from a design service.
- Growing: add pages for each service and each location, so customers — and Google — can find exactly what you offer.
- Selling online or taking bookings: budget more for the extra features, and for the hosting they need.
Before you build, make sure the brand is ready. A website built around a weak or temporary logo usually has to be redone. If you are still sorting out the logo, start there — see how much a logo costs.
Questions to Ask Before You Pay
- How many pages are included, and what does each extra page cost?
- Is the design custom, or built on a template?
- Is hosting included, and for how long? What does it cost after that?
- How many rounds of changes are included?
- Do I own the design when it is finished, and can I move it to another host?
- Who updates the site after launch, and what does that cost?
What Does a Website Cost at LogoDesignCreation?
Our small business website packages are designed by the same team that has been designing logos since 2003:
| Package | Price | Custom-designed pages | Forms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $349 | 5 | 2 |
| Superior | $659 | 10 | 3 |
| Deluxe | $829 | 15 | 4 |
Every package includes your first page design within 48 hours, unlimited edits, full rights to the final design, and one year of free hosting (with 10 email addresses) and website updates. You supply the text and photos; if you do not have a logo yet, we can design that first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a professional website for under $500?
Yes, for a small site with a custom design, as long as you supply the content. Check what is included: pages, forms, hosting and ownership.
Why do agency websites cost so much more?
You are paying for research, strategy, copywriting, photography, custom development and project management. For a large company those are worth it. For a small business that needs a clear, good-looking site, they usually are not.
Do I need WordPress?
Only if you want to edit the site yourself regularly. If changes are occasional, having your designer make them is often simpler.
How long does it take to build a small business website?
Usually a few weeks. The biggest factor is how quickly you can supply your text, photos and feedback.
Need a website that looks as good as your business?
Custom-designed pages, first design in 48 hours, unlimited edits and 1 year of free hosting. From $349.
See Website Packages