cheapest website for small business
How to build an affordable, SEO-ready website that attracts customers — step-by-step, no fluff
You don't need to spend thousands to get a website that works. This guide walks you through the cheapest realistic options, what actually matters for search and leads, and a clear DIY checklist — plus when to choose an expert.
Why "cheapest" can be the smartest choice for small businesses
If you're running a local trade, micro-store, or service business, your website's job is simple: get you found and turn visitors into calls or messages. You don't need complex e-commerce or bespoke development on day one. The cheapest website that still converts focuses on clarity, local SEO, trust signals, and fast load times.
The real cost of a website is not just dollars; it's time and ongoing upkeep. Cheap, pay-monthly services and streamlined builds (like Congero's) remove upfront risk, bundle hosting, domain, SSL, and updates, and often outperform expensive sites that are slow or neglected.
The minimum your site must do
- Show what you do and where you operate
- Prominently display phone number and contact method
- Load fast on mobile (under 3s)
- Be crawlable by Google (indexable pages, proper tags)
- Convert: simple CTA (call, message, booking)
Step-by-step: Build the cheapest effective website (60–180 minutes)
This walkthrough assumes you want the absolute lowest cost with a professional outcome. We list quick options (Wix, Squarespace, WordPress, Congero subscription) and a fast checklist for launch.
What you'll need
- Business name and short description (1–2 sentences)
- Phone number and email
- Address or service area
- 3–6 photos (phone photos are fine)
- Logo or simple text logo
Time & cost estimate
- DIY on page-builder: 2–6 hours, $0–$49/mo
- Congero quick build: 60 seconds demo, live in 24 hours, $49/mo (all-inclusive)
- Domain: often included first year; otherwise $10–15/yr
Fast launch checklist (follow in order)
- Pick a platform — See our comparison below. For fastest low-cost launch choose a subscription with included hosting and domain.
- Choose a template — Pick one designed for service businesses or trades. Simpler is faster.
- Add your core pages — Home, Services (1 page with anchors or small separate pages), About, Contact.
- Place contact CTA in header — Phone first, then a secondary contact method (WhatsApp, form, booking).
- Upload 3 good images — Show team, van, tools, or location. Compress to keep page fast.
- Install analytics & search tools — Google Analytics 4 and Google Search Console.
- Submit sitemap to Google — Done via Search Console in minutes.
- Test on mobile — Make buttons tappable, text readable, phone number clickable.
Mobile first
Set the template view to mobile and check typography and button sizes. If it feels cramped, increase padding and line-height.
Speed tips
- Use PNG/JPEG at 72dpi, compress images
- Lazy-load below-the-fold images
- Limit third-party scripts (chat widgets, heavy trackers)
SEO essentials: Make the cheapest site visible locally
For most small businesses, local search is the highest ROI: "plumber near me", "car detailer [suburb]". Focus on a few on-page and off-page tasks that matter most.
On-page checklist
- Title tag: include primary keyword + location (max ~60 chars)
- Meta description: clear CTA and service (120–155 chars)
- H1: should match page topic (one H1 per page)
- NAP: Name, Address, Phone visible and consistent across site
- Schema: LocalBusiness schema helps — many page builders add basic schema automatically
- Images: alt text including location and service (e.g., "plumber unblocking sink in Melbourne")
Local SEO quick wins
- Claim and complete your Google Business Profile (photos, hours, categories)
- Get 5 recent reviews — ask happy customers and respond to them
- List on relevant local directories (Yellow Pages, TrueLocal) with same NAP
- Build 3–5 local citations (low-cost and high impact)
Keyword approach for tight budgets
Target long-tail, intent-rich keywords you can realistically rank for in your service area:
- Use formats: "
near me", " + suburb", "emergency near me" - One page per service with a clear location mention helps search clarity
- Create short FAQ content answering common search queries (these often appear in rich snippets)
Low-cost marketing to get visitors fast
Email & SMS
Collect a small list and send monthly specials. SMS (or WhatsApp) has high open rates — use sparingly for offers.
Targeted Ads
Start with a small Google Local Services or Search ads budget ($10–20/day) focused on high-intent keywords and your service area.
Partnership & referral
Collaborate with complementary local businesses for cross-referrals. Offer a referral discount or small commission.
Photos & reviews matter
Great phone photos and 5-star reviews lift conversions. After each job, ask satisfied customers to leave a Google review with a short, templated message.
Convert visitors into customers — simple, proven tactics
- Primary CTA above the fold: phone button (tel:) and a WhatsApp or SMS link when possible.
- Service pages: include clear pricing ranges or starting prices to pre-qualify leads.
- Trust signals: show licenses, insurance, awards, and short testimonials near CTAs.
- Lead capture: use a one-field callback widget (phone number) rather than long forms — higher completion.
- Follow-up system: every enquiry should go into a CRM or spreadsheet with a follow-up reminder within 24 hours.
Simple conversion template for your service page
- Hero: service + location + phone CTA
- What we do (3 bullets)
- Why choose us (3 trust points)
- Starting price or price range
- Testimonials (1–3 short quotes)
- Footer CTA and contact details
Cheap platform comparison — pick the right starting point
| Option | Monthly | Setup time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Congero (subscription) | $49/mo | Minutes (demo) / 24 hours live | Busy owners who want done-for-you + unlimited updates |
| Wix / Squarespace | $16–40/mo | 2–10 hours | Owners who will DIY and tweak regularly |
| WordPress (managed host) | $5–25 hosting | 4–12 hours (templates) | More control and plugins, slightly steeper learning |
| Free site builders (ads) | $0 (with ads) | 1–3 hours | Very tight budgets but poor professional impression |
Recommendation
If you value your time and want predictable results, a modest subscription that includes unlimited updates, hosting, domain, and local SEO is the best value (Congero-style model). If you enjoy DIY and have time, use Wix/Squarespace but follow the SEO checklist tightly.
Common budget mistakes to avoid
1. Choosing the absolute cheapest free option
Free builders with ads erode trust. It's better to pay a small monthly fee for a clean, brandable site.
2. Ignoring mobile & speed
A slow, non-mobile site loses customers and rankings. Prioritise speed even if that means fewer fancy features.
3. Skipping Google Business Profile
Local searches often show the GMB pack above organic results. Claim it and keep it updated.
4. Not measuring results
Install analytics and track calls/form submissions. If you can't measure it, you can't improve it.
Get started in under 1 hour — quick checklist
15 minutes — setup & domain
- Choose platform and plan (look for domain included)
- Pick a template made for services
- Set site title, timezone, and contact info
30–45 minutes — content
- Write a short headline & one-sentence description
- Add 3 service bullets and starting price
- Upload images and logo
Final checks (10–15 minutes)
- Make phone number clickable (tel:)
- Run a quick PageSpeed Insights test and fix image sizes
- Submit sitemap to Google Search Console
- Share site URL to 5 customers and ask for feedback
Frequently asked questions
Can I really get a professional site for under $50/month?
Is DIY better for saving money?
What’s the minimum content I need to rank locally?
Ready to stop overpaying and start getting results?
Choose the cheapest option that still does the job — and get help if you want it done fast. Congero builds mobile-optimised, SEO-ready sites with unlimited updates for a simple monthly fee.
Not ready? Save this page and follow the quick-start checklist when you're ready to launch.
