TL;DR
Small business websites typically cost $500-5,000 for a professional build, or $0-300/year for DIY. The best investment depends on your time, skills, and business goals. Most businesses see ROI within 3-6 months through new customers.
Website Cost Breakdown
Option 1: DIY Website Builders ($0-300/year)
Platforms: Wix, Squarespace, WordPress.com
Costs:
- Free plans available (with platform branding)
- Paid plans: $12-40/month
- Domain name: $10-20/year
- Premium templates: $0-200 one-time
Pros:
- Lowest upfront cost
- Full control over updates
- No technical skills required
Cons:
- Time-intensive (20-40+ hours to build)
- Often looks "template-y"
- Limited customization
- SEO limitations
- You're on your own for strategy
Best for: Very tight budgets, tech-comfortable owners with time to spare
Option 2: Freelance Web Designer ($500-3,000)
What you get:
- Custom design based on your brand
- Professional look and feel
- Basic SEO setup
- Mobile-responsive design
Pros:
- More affordable than agencies
- Personalized attention
- Faster turnaround
Cons:
- Quality varies widely
- May disappear after the project
- Limited ongoing support
- Usually no strategy or marketing help
Best for: Businesses wanting professional results on a moderate budget
Option 3: Web Design Agency ($3,000-10,000+)
What you get:
- Custom strategy and design
- Professional copywriting
- SEO optimization
- Ongoing support and maintenance
- Performance tracking
Pros:
- Highest quality results
- Comprehensive service
- Long-term partnership
- Strategy included
Cons:
- Highest upfront cost
- May be overkill for simple needs
- Longer timelines
Best for: Established businesses ready to invest in growth
Hidden Costs to Consider
Don't forget these ongoing expenses:
- Domain renewal: $10-20/year
- Hosting: $5-50/month
- SSL certificate: Often free, sometimes $50-200/year
- Maintenance: $50-200/month or DIY
- Content updates: Your time or $50-150/hour
- Email hosting: $5-25/month per user
The ROI Question
Here's what really matters: what will a website earn you?
Let's say:
- Your average job is worth $300
- A website brings you just 2 extra customers per month
- That's $600/month or $7,200/year in new revenue
Even a $3,000 website pays for itself in 5 months. And it keeps working for years.
Our Approach: Best Value for Small Businesses
At Spend Less Grow More, we've designed packages specifically for small, service-based businesses:
- Starter ($997): Perfect for establishing your online presence
- Growth ($1,997): SEO-optimized to attract more customers
- Pro ($2,997): Full-service solution with ongoing support
All packages include professional design, mobile optimization, SEO basics, and our signature no-jargon approach.
Making the Decision
Ask yourself:
- What's your time worth? DIY takes 20-40+ hours
- What's a new customer worth? Calculate potential ROI
- How important is your online image? First impressions matter
- Do you need ongoing support? Factor in maintenance
Next Steps
Not sure which option is right for you? Let's talk. We'll review your current situation and recommend the best path forward—even if that's not us.
[Get Your Free Website Review →](/contact)