If you’re a small business owner, you’ve probably wondered:
“How much does a professional website really cost?”
You might have seen prices all over the place, from a few hundred bucks to tens of thousands. So what’s the truth?
At 1 BIG WEB Design Marketing And Consulting, we work with small business owners across a wide range of industries and we know that pricing can be confusing, especially when you’re just trying to grow your business and make smart investments.
Let’s break it down in plain English (no fluff, no tech jargon) so you can understand where your money goes and what you really need.
1. What Are You Actually Paying For?
A small business website isn’t just a digital brochure. It’s your 24/7 storefront, your brand’s first impression, and often the difference between getting a customer or losing one. Here’s what typically goes into the cost:
- Domain name (yourbusiness.com): $10–$20/year
- Hosting (where your site lives online): $100–$300/year
- Design & development: $1,000–$10,000+ depending on features
- Content creation (text, images, videos): Varies widely
- SEO reserch (so people can find you): $300–$2,000+
- Ongoing updates/maintenance: $50–$200/month or hourly
- E-commerce or advanced features (if needed): Adds cost
Those are the main ingredients. But how much you spend depends on how custom, functional, and hands-off you want your website to be.
2. DIY vs. Professional Web Design
If you’re trying to keep costs ultra-low, DIY builders like Wix, Squarespace, or Shopify (for e-commerce) can get you online for under $30/month. But that comes with trade-offs: limited customization, slower load speeds, and SEO limitations.
Hiring a pro (like 1 BIG WEB Design Firm) usually means a bigger upfront investment, but also a faster, better-performing site tailored to your business (not a cookie-cutter template). And that can pay off long-term in customer trust and search visibility.
NOTE: 1 BIG WEB Design offers monthly financing to reduce larger upfront costs.
3. Custom vs. Template-Based Sites
Template-based sites cost less (typically $1,000 to $3,000) and are perfect for businesses needing something clean and simple: a homepage, a few service pages, a contact form.
Custom-built sites, on the other hand, can run $5,000 to $15,000+, depending on how complex your vision is. Think booking systems, interactive maps, advanced search, or e-commerce integrations. These sites take more time to build, but they also stand out more in competitive markets.
4. Hidden Costs to Watch Out For
A few sneaky expenses can creep up if you’re not careful:
- Stock photos (unless included in the package)
- Plugins or premium tools (some have annual fees)
- Copywriting (most designers don’t write your content for you)
- Revisions (some firms limit how many you get for free)
NOTE: 1 BIG WEB Design Marketing And Consulting can include images, content creation and revisions in our pricing (if desired) so there are no unexpected hidden fees.
It’s smart to ask any designer up front: “What’s included and what’s not?” The clearer the scope, the better your experience will be.
NOTE: 1 BIG WEB Design‘s service agreements are clearly laid out and define exactly what our clients are getting.
5. What’s the ROI of a Good Website?
Here’s the part people forget to ask: “What will this website do for my business?” A well-designed, fast-loading, SEO-optimized site can:
- Increase trust with new customers
- Improve your visibility on Google
- Generate more leads or sales
- Save you time answering FAQs
- Make it easier for customers to book or contact you
So, What’s Your Website Going to Cost?
Every business is different, and so is every website.
At 1 BIG WEB Design Firm, we tailor pricing to your goals, not just page count. Whether you’re just starting out or leveling up, we’ll help you get a site that makes sense for your budget and gets results.
Our awards and reviews speak for themselves.
Have questions about your project? Schedule your FREE consultation today!
