How much does a small business website cost?

What are you actually paying for?

Every website has the same few costs, whoever builds it:

• Design and writing: the pages, layout, photos and text.
• Hosting: the server that keeps the site online, usually paid yearly.
• A domain name such as yourbusiness.com, paid yearly to a registrar.
• Updates: new prices, photos, offers and timings over the year.
• Your own time, if you build or update it yourself.

DIY website builders

Builders like Wix or Squarespace give you templates and charge a monthly or yearly plan. The plan looks cheap, but you design, write and update everything yourself, and paid apps or plugins can add up. Good if you enjoy doing it and have the time.

Freelancers and agencies

A freelancer or agency designs the site for you and charges per project, usually more for custom design. Ask what is included after launch: hosting, changes and support are often billed separately.

Done-for-you studios

A done-for-you studio designs, writes and hosts the site for one clear price. At The Quick Website you type your business name, see your website in seconds and try it free for 14 days with your own WhatsApp and map. If you love it, the first year is US$249 with design and hosting, then US$69.99 per year. If you don't, you pay nothing.

Which costs do people forget?

The yearly ones. Before you pay, ask:

• What do I pay in the second year?
• Who updates the site when my prices or timings change, and what does it cost?
• Is hosting included, and for how long?
• Do I own the content and photos?

What should a small business spend first?

Start with a fast, mobile-first site that shows your services, real photos, timings, map and a WhatsApp or call button. That covers what most customers look for. Extras like online payments or booking engines can come later when you need them.

By The Quick Website team · Updated 2026-10-23