Quick Answer: What’s the average cost?
The average small business website costs $2,000 – $10,000.
- DIY with website builders: $0 – $300
- Professional design: $2,000 – $10,000+
- Ongoing maintenance: $50 – $500+ per month
The final price depends on size, features, and whether you hire a pro like G-Site or go DIY.
What Factors Affect Website Cost?
Here’s a breakdown of the 7 main cost factors every small business should plan for:
- Domain Name – $1 to $12/year
- Your web address (e.g., yourbusiness.com). Premium names can cost more.
- Website Hosting – $24 to $120/year
- Shared hosting works for most small sites. Upgrade later if you grow.
- SSL Certificate – Free to $1,500/year
- Secures your site (the “https://”). Often included with hosting.
- Design – $2,000 to $15,000
- Basic template sites cost less. Custom designs and animations cost more.
- Number of Pages – $1,000 to $5,000
- Most small sites have 5–20 pages (home, services, contact, blog, etc.).
- Functionality (eCommerce, payments, booking, etc.) – $2,000 to $25,000
- More features = higher cost. A small shop won’t pay Amazon-level prices.
- CMS (Content Management System) – $2,000 to $25,000
- Lets you edit your site without coding. WordPress, Webflow, or custom builds vary in price.
DIY vs Professional Web Design
- DIY Website Builders (Wix, Squarespace, Shopify)
- Cost: $0 – $300
- Pros: Cheap, fast setup.
- Cons: Cookie-cutter, limited SEO, takes your time to learn.
- Professional Web Design (G-Site or other agencies)
- Cost: $2,000 – $10,000+
- Pros: Custom design, optimized for sales, faster ROI.
- Cons: Higher upfront cost.
👉 The real question: Do you want to save money now or make more money long-term?
Don’t Forget Ongoing Maintenance Costs
Websites aren’t one-time projects. Expect:
- Domain renewal – $10/year
- Hosting – $50–$200/year
- SSL renewal – Free–$200/year
- Updates, security, backups – $50–$500/month
- Add-on features (eCommerce, chatbots, booking tools)
A maintained site = better performance, SEO, and security.
Is a Website Worth the Cost?
Yes. Your website is your 24/7 digital salesperson. A properly designed site can:
- Increase sales by 50–350% (G-Site’s average results)
- Save hours on manual tasks (booking, payments, forms)
- Build trust with local and online customers
Cheap sites cost you more in lost customers. A sales-driven website pays for itself.
FAQs
Q: What’s the cheapest way to build a small business website?
DIY with a website builder ($0–$300), but it takes time and sacrifices SEO.
Q: How much should I budget for a professional site?
At least $3,000 – $5,000 for a solid, sales-ready small business site.
Q: How often do I need to update my website?
Check quarterly. Update design every 2–3 years, or sooner if it looks outdated.
Q: Do I really need an SSL certificate?
Yes, it protects customer data and boosts trust.
Q: How do I know if a web agency is worth it?
Ask for:
- Case studies
- SEO results
- Clear pricing
- A refund or performance guarantee (like G-Site offers)