If you want a short answer, here it is:
A website can cost anywhere from $0 to $50,000+ depending on how it’s built, who builds it, and what the site needs to do for your business.
Most small businesses in 2026 should expect to invest $2,500 to $10,000 upfront, plus $50 to $300 per month in ongoing costs.
The wide range isn’t marketing fluff. It’s reality. A one-page DIY site and a conversion-focused, SEO-ready business website are completely different products.
Let’s break it down clearly so you can budget with confidence.
What Actually Determines Website Cost?
Website pricing isn’t random. It’s driven by a few predictable variables:
- Number of pages and templates
- Custom design vs prebuilt themes
- Content creation and copywriting
- SEO and technical setup
- Integrations like booking, payments, or CRM
- Ongoing maintenance and hosting
Change any one of these and the price moves fast.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Website?
DIY Website Builders: $0 to $500 upfront
Using platforms like Wix, Squarespace, or Shopify starter plans.
Best for
- Side projects
- Early-stage startups
- Personal sites or MVPs
Typical costs
- Builder subscription: $15–$40 per month
- Domain: $10–$20 per year
- Templates: usually free
Tradeoff
You save money but trade away flexibility, SEO depth, and long-term scalability.
This is fine if the website is not central to revenue.
Freelancer-Built Websites: $1,500 to $7,500
A freelancer builds the site for you using WordPress, Webflow, or Squarespace.
Best for
- Small businesses
- Local service providers
- Professional portfolios
Typical costs
- Basic site: $1,500–$3,000
- Custom design and SEO: $3,000–$7,500
Tradeoff
Quality varies wildly. You’re buying the individual, not a system.
Some freelancers are excellent. Some disappear.
Agency-Built Websites: $5,000 to $25,000+
This is where strategy, conversion design, SEO structure, and performance come together.
Best for
- Established businesses
- Competitive local markets
- Brands that rely on inbound leads
Typical costs
- Small business website: $5,000–$10,000
- Custom UX, SEO, CRO: $10,000–$25,000+
Tradeoff
Higher upfront cost, but usually lower long-term friction and better ROI.
How Much Does a Website Cost Per Month?
This is where many people get surprised.
Even a “one-time” website still has ongoing costs.
Typical Monthly Website Costs
- Hosting: $10–$50
- Builder or CMS fees: $0–$40
- Security and backups: $5–$30
- Maintenance or updates: $50–$200
- SEO or content (optional): $300–$2,000+
Most small businesses land between $50 and $300 per month just to keep a site healthy and secure.
How Much Does a Small Business Website Cost?
Here’s the most common scenario in 2026.
Upfront
- Build cost: $2,500–$10,000
Ongoing
- Monthly costs: $100–$300
This usually includes:
- 5–15 pages
- Mobile-responsive design
- Basic SEO setup
- Contact forms or booking
- Analytics and tracking
If your site needs to generate leads, not just exist, this is the realistic range.
E-Commerce Website Costs
Selling online adds complexity fast.
Typical ranges
- Small e-commerce site: $5,000–$12,000
- Custom or high-volume stores: $15,000–$50,000+
Ongoing
- Platform fees: $30–$300 per month
- Payment processing: ~2.9% per transaction
- Maintenance and updates: $100–$500 per month
Product catalogs, checkout flows, and performance optimization all add cost.
Can You Build a Website for Free?
Technically, yes.
Practically, it’s limited.
Free websites usually include:
- Platform branding
- No custom domain
- Poor SEO performance
- Limited functionality
Free works for experiments, not for businesses that want credibility or growth.
How Much Should You Budget for a Website?
Here’s a simple rule that avoids overthinking:
- If the website is a digital business card, spend less.
- If the website is a lead generator or sales engine, invest accordingly.
A good website is not an expense. It’s infrastructure.
Spending $5,000 on a site that generates qualified leads is cheaper than spending $500 on a site that does nothing.
Final Thoughts: The Real Cost Is Opportunity
The real cost of a website is not what you pay to build it.
It’s what you lose if it:
- Doesn’t rank
- Doesn’t convert
- Doesn’t scale with your business
Cheap websites aren’t bad. Misaligned websites are.
Ready to Build a Website That Actually Works?
If you’re investing in a website in 2026, it should do more than look good. It should rank, convert, and support your business long after launch.
At NOVA Brandworks, we design and build conversion-focused websites for small businesses that want clarity, performance, and long-term growth, not just another template.
If you want an honest recommendation on what you should build, what it should cost, and what you should avoid, start with a strategy call.
Book a website strategy call and get clear on the right path before you spend a dollar.
Website Cost FAQs
How much does a website cost for a small business?
Most small business websites cost between $2,500 and $10,000 upfront, plus $100 to $300 per month for hosting, maintenance, and basic updates. Costs increase if the site requires advanced SEO, custom design, or integrations.
How much does a website cost per month?
Monthly website costs typically range from $50 to $300, depending on hosting, security, platform fees, and maintenance. Businesses investing in SEO or content marketing should budget more.
Is it cheaper to build a website yourself?
Yes, building a website yourself is cheaper upfront, often under $500, but it usually comes with limitations in performance, SEO, and long-term scalability. DIY sites are best for early-stage or low-risk projects.
Do you have to pay monthly to keep a website online?
Yes. Even after a site is built, you must pay for hosting, domain registration, and security. Without these, a website cannot stay live.
How much does it cost to have someone build a website for you?
Hiring a professional typically costs $1,500 to $25,000+, depending on whether you work with a freelancer or an agency, and how strategic the site needs to be.
Can I build a website for free?
You can build a website for free using certain platforms, but free sites usually include branding, lack SEO control, and do not support serious business growth.
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