Short answer
How much does a small business website cost?
In 2026, a small business website typically costs a few hundred dollars a year if you build it yourself on a website builder, about $1,000 to $5,000 or more with a freelancer, and $5,000 to $30,000 or more with an agency, plus ongoing hosting and maintenance. Monthly website plans skip the up-front cost and usually run about $100 to $500 a month.
Typical costs by option
| Option | Up-front | Ongoing | Your time |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY website builder | $0 | Roughly $200 to $600+ a year in plans and apps | High |
| Freelancer | About $1,000 to $5,000+ | Hosting and edits, often billed separately | Medium |
| Agency | About $5,000 to $30,000+ | Retainer or hourly support | Low to medium |
| Monthly plan (WaaS) | Often $0 | About $100 to $500 a month | Low |
Broad market ranges as of 2026. Your price depends on page count, features and who's doing the work.
What drives the price
- Number of pages and how much copy needs writing
- Custom design versus a template
- Features like booking, payments or online ordering
- Photography and branding
- Search engine setup and ongoing content
Ongoing costs people forget
- Domain name, usually around $10 to $20 a year
- Hosting and SSL
- Security updates and backups
- Edits as your services, prices and photos change
- Your own time keeping it current
How to choose
If you enjoy tinkering and have time, a DIY builder is cheapest. If you need something custom and have the budget, a freelancer or agency is a solid choice, as long as you plan for upkeep. If you'd rather pay a predictable monthly fee and have someone else handle everything, a monthly plan like our $297 Website plan fits.