cost of small business website
Exactly what to expect to pay — and how to budget so your website becomes an investment, not a cost.
From one-off design fees to monthly hosting, SEO and support — this guide breaks down typical price ranges in 2025 and gives clear, actionable tips for planning your website budget.
Typical first-year total cost range
Managed subscription (monthly)
Typical delivery time (fast subscription → agency)
Updates (on many subscription plans)
What affects the cost of a small business website?
Several factors determine the final price. Understanding them helps you prioritise spending where it drives the most value.
Design & User Experience
Custom designs increase cost but improve trust and conversions. Template-based designs are cheaper but often require more tweaks to look unique.
Key value: conversion rate improvementsDevelopment Complexity
Simple brochure sites are fast and cheap. E-commerce, bookings, or integrations (CRM, payment gateways) raise costs significantly.
Key value: revenue-generating functionalitySEO & Content
Good content and on-page SEO make the site discoverable — writing, keyword research and optimisation are often billed separately but are critical for long-term ROI.
Key value: organic leads and reduced ad spendHosting, Security & Maintenance
Reliable hosting, SSL, backups, and updates cost money but protect uptime and performance — essential for SEO and conversions.
Key value: uptime, speed and securityPrioritise by value, not just price
Spend more where it drives measurable returns: conversion-focused design, SEO that brings qualified traffic, and a hosting environment that keeps the site fast. Save on things that don't affect leads, like excessive custom animations or unnecessary pages.
Pricing breakdown — typical ranges you’ll see in 2025
Below are realistic ranges for common website components. Use these to build your own budget.
Simple Brochure Site
One-page to 5-page site; template or light customisation.
- Domain + hosting included on subscriptions
- Basic SEO & analytics
- Limited custom features
E-commerce / Booking Site
Depends on product count, payment integrations, shipping, inventory and UX complexity.
- Payment gateway setup + SSL
- Inventory & order flows
- Ongoing transaction fees not included
SEO & Content
One-off content packages or ongoing SEO retainers — price varies by scope and competition.
- Local SEO is cheaper than national/competitive keywords
- Monthly retainer gives sustained growth
Ongoing monthly costs (typical)
Quick takeaway
Expect a basic professional site for under $1,000 (subscription or low-cost agency) and a robust e-commerce site starting around $2k–$5k. The biggest long-term value comes from design that converts and SEO that brings consistent leads.
DIY vs Agency vs Subscription — which is right for your budget?
| Option | Typical Cost | Time To Launch | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY (Wix/Squarespace) | $15–40/mo + your time | 20–60 hrs | Very small budgets; owners who enjoy building |
| Traditional Agency | $3,000–$20,000+ | 6–12+ weeks | Complex projects, extensive custom features |
| Managed Subscription (e.g., Congero) | $30–49/mo | 24hrs–7 days | Busy owners who want fast, professional results |
When DIY makes sense
- You have 20–60 hours and enjoy building
- Site needs are simple and unlikely to change
- Low traffic expectations
When professional subscription or agency makes sense
- You want fast, measurable results
- You value unlimited updates and simple workflows
- You want predictable monthly pricing with no surprise bills
Budget templates — quick starting points
Use these example budgets to plan your first year based on different approaches.
Lean (DIY)
- Platform: $120–$300/yr
- Domain: $10–20/yr
- Stock images: $0–100
- Your time: 40–80 hours
Balanced (Managed subscription)
- Managed plan: $30–49/mo (includes hosting & updates)
- Basic SEO & analytics included
- Unlimited updates — no hourly fees
Growth (Agency + SEO)
- Custom design & build: $3k–15k
- SEO & content: $500–3k/mo
- Ongoing support: $100+/hr
Example one-year ROI checklist
- Estimate monthly leads needed to break even from website spend.
- Calculate average lifetime value (LTV) per customer.
- Set conversion goals (e.g., 2–5% of visitors).
- Prioritise spend on the item that improves conversion or traffic first (design or SEO).
How to reduce costs smartly (without killing results)
Start with a lean scope
Launch with the essential pages (Home, Services, Contact, About) then add features later once you have data.
- Focus on pages that drive enquiries
- Defer non-essential integrations
Write content yourself (then optimise)
You can save costs by drafting content; invest later in professional editing and SEO once the site is live.
Negotiate predictable pricing
Ask for all-inclusive packages (design, hosting, SSL, updates) instead of hourly rates. Predictable monthly billing avoids surprise invoices.
Tip: Ask for SLA details: response times, update turnaround, backups — these protect your business.
Frequently asked questions
How much should a small business budget for a website in Year 1?
Are ongoing monthly fees worth it?
How much should I budget for SEO?
Can I lower costs after launch?
Plan your website spend with confidence
If you want a proven, all-inclusive option: Congero builds professional, mobile-first websites quickly, includes local SEO, hosting, domain and unlimited updates for one predictable monthly fee.
Want help building a budget? Text us a quick description of your business and goals — Congero's AI can estimate a tailored cost plan in minutes.
