"How much does a website cost?" is the first question every small business owner asks — and the answer they usually get is frustratingly vague. So let's cut through the noise and talk real numbers.
The truth is, website cost for a small business ranges from $0 to $50,000+ depending on what you need, who builds it, and how you approach it. Here's a breakdown of every option so you can make the right call for your budget.
Option 1: DIY Website Builders ($0–$300/year)
Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and Google Sites let you drag and drop your way to a website. Plans typically run $12–$25 per month, and you can have something live in a weekend.
The catch: You get what you pay for. DIY sites often look generic, load slowly, and lack the SEO foundation needed to rank on Google. You'll spend hours fighting the editor, and the result still screams "I made this myself." For a hobby blog, fine. For a business trying to compete locally? Risky.
Option 2: Premium Templates ($500–$2,000)
Buying a premium WordPress or Shopify theme and hiring someone to customize it costs more, but you get a more polished result. A freelancer might charge $500–$2,000 to set up a template, add your content, and configure basic SEO.
The catch: Templates are shared by thousands of sites. Your plumbing company might look identical to a dentist in another state. Customization is limited, and when something breaks, you need to find (and pay) someone to fix it.
Option 3: Custom Website ($1,000–$10,000+)
A custom-built website is designed specifically for your business, your customers, and your goals. This is where most serious small businesses land.
At the low end, you're looking at $1,000–$3,000 for a clean, professional, 5-10 page site with modern design, mobile responsiveness, and SEO built in. At the high end, agencies charge $5,000–$10,000+ for the same thing — often because they're paying for office space and account managers, not better code.
What Affects the Cost?
- Number of pages — A 5-page site costs less than a 30-page site
- Custom features — Online booking, e-commerce, and portals add complexity
- Content creation — Writing copy and sourcing photos costs time and money
- Ongoing maintenance — Hosting, updates, and security aren't free
- SEO and marketing — A site nobody finds is money wasted
Why Cheap Websites Cost More Long-Term
Here's what most business owners learn the hard way: a $300 website that doesn't bring in customers is infinitely more expensive than a $1,000 website that does.
If your cheap site doesn't show up on Google, doesn't work on phones, and doesn't convert visitors into calls — you haven't saved money. You've just delayed spending it while losing customers every day your site underperforms.
The businesses that grow are the ones that treat their website as an investment, not an expense. A good website pays for itself within months through new customers and increased credibility.
What Page Surgeon Charges
At Page Surgeon, we build custom websites for local businesses at $1,000 flat — one-time, no hidden fees. That includes a free audit, two custom design directions, mobile-first development, SEO setup, SSL, and Google Business integration. Delivery in about two weeks.
We keep costs low because we don't have an office full of account managers. It's lean, focused work — and our clients get agency-quality results at a fraction of agency prices.
Not Sure What You Need?
Start with a free audit. We'll look at your current site and tell you exactly what it would take to fix it — no obligation.
Get Your Free Audit →The right website cost for your small business depends on your goals, your market, and your competition. But one thing is certain: no website — or a bad one — costs you far more than a good one ever will.