Websites · 2026-03-10 · 6 min read
How much does a small business website cost in 2026?
Website costs range from almost free to tens of thousands, depending on what you actually need. Here is an honest breakdown.
Short answer
A small business website costs between $15 and $50 per month for a DIY template builder like Wix or Squarespace, or between $3,000 and $15,000 for a professionally custom-built site that includes design, development, SEO setup, and GEO optimization, with ongoing management typically running $200-$500 per month.
The price tiers
- DIY template builders (Wix, Squarespace, Webflow free tier): $15-$50/month; you design and write it yourself
- Freelance designer on a template: $500-$2,000 one-time; faster than DIY but still template limitations
- Agency on a template CMS (WordPress, Webflow): $2,000-$6,000; professional design, still platform constraints
- Custom-built site (Next.js, React, Astro): $5,000-$15,000+; fast, fully controlled, built for SEO and GEO from the ground up
What drives the cost up
- Custom design (vs template): the biggest cost driver
- Content writing: professional copywriting for each page adds $1,000-$3,000
- SEO and GEO setup: schema markup, llms.txt, technical SEO audit, keyword research
- Integrations: booking systems, CRM connections, chat agents
- Ongoing management: hosting, updates, performance monitoring
The question to ask before choosing a price tier
How many customers do you expect your website to generate? If the answer is 'a lot,' invest in a build that can actually do that. A $15/month site that does not rank or convert is not cheap. It just looks cheap up front. A $10,000 custom site that generates $5,000 in new business per month is the most efficient marketing you have.
FAQ
Common questions
Do I need to pay for hosting on top of the build cost?
Yes, typically. Hosting costs vary: platforms like Vercel start free and scale with traffic. Custom sites typically run $20-$50/month in hosting depending on needs.
How long does a custom small business website take to build?
A well-scoped custom site typically takes four to eight weeks from kickoff to launch, including design, development, content, and SEO setup.