Why the Answer Is Always "It Depends"
Type "how much does a website cost" into Google and you'll find answers ranging from $0 to $100,000. Both are technically correct. That's not very helpful.
Here's a better framework: website costs break down into three things — building it, hosting it, and maintaining it. Each has a wide range depending on how you approach it.
The Build Cost
DIY with a website builder: $0–$50/month
Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and Showit let you build a site yourself using templates and drag-and-drop tools. There's no upfront cost — you pay a monthly subscription ($15–$50/month depending on plan) that covers both the builder software and the hosting.
This is the right choice if your needs are straightforward — a business site, portfolio, or simple online store — and you have the time to set it up yourself.
Freelance developer: $1,000–$10,000
A freelance web developer or designer will build a custom site for you. Price depends heavily on complexity. A clean, professional 5-page business site might run $1,500–$3,000. An e-commerce store with custom features could be $5,000–$10,000 or more.
The advantage: you get something built specifically for your business. The limitation: finding and vetting a good freelancer takes time and some know-how.
Web design agency: $5,000–$50,000+
Agencies have more resources, more staff, and more overhead. They make sense for complex projects — large e-commerce sites, custom web applications, sites that need to integrate with other business systems.
For most small businesses, an agency is overkill. A good freelancer gives you comparable quality at a lower price.
The Hosting Cost
Your website has to live somewhere. Hosting costs vary:
- Shared hosting (Bluehost, SiteGround, Namecheap): $3–$15/month. Fine for most small business sites
- Managed WordPress hosting (WP Engine, Kinsta): $20–$50/month. Worth it if you're on WordPress and want better performance and security
- Website builder plans (Squarespace, Wix): Hosting is bundled in the monthly subscription — no separate charge
If you build with a website builder, hosting is included. If you hire a developer, hosting is usually a separate expense you manage.
The Domain Name
Your domain (yourbusiness.com) costs $10–$20/year through a registrar like Namecheap or GoDaddy. Some hosting plans include a free first year.
The Ongoing Maintenance Cost
Websites need upkeep: keeping software updated, renewing your domain and hosting, and occasional content edits.
- DIY: Just your time
- Maintenance plan from a freelancer or agency: $50–$300/month depending on what's included
- WordPress plugins and themes: Often free, or $50–$200/year for premium versions
What Most Small Businesses Actually Spend
| Approach | Year One | Per Year After |
|---|---|---|
| Squarespace or Wix (DIY) | $200–$600 | $200–$600 |
| WordPress (shared hosting, free theme) | $100–$200 | $100–$200 |
| WordPress (freelancer builds it) | $2,000–$5,000 | $200–$600 |
| Custom site (agency) | $10,000–$50,000 | $1,000–$5,000 |
The Hidden Cost Nobody Mentions
The cost that never appears in any estimate: your time. A DIY website is cheap in dollars but expensive in hours. If your time is worth anything, factor that in.
A freelancer who charges $2,500 to build your site might be a better deal than spending 40 hours struggling with a website builder — especially if you don't enjoy that kind of work.