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How Much Does a Business Website Cost in 2026?
"How much does a website cost?" is the most common question new business owners ask — and the most poorly answered. Most articles give you a range of "$100 to $100,000" which is technically true but completely useless. Here's a practical breakdown based on the three most common paths small businesses take.
Path 1: DIY website builder (Squarespace, Wix, Shopify)
First-year cost: $200–$600. Monthly ongoing: $16–$50. This is the most popular path for solo founders, freelancers, and small service businesses. You pick a template, customize it with your content, and publish. Squarespace plans start at $16/mo, Shopify Basic is $39/mo (but includes ecommerce), and Wix ranges from $17–$36/mo. Add $12–$20/yr for a custom domain. Hidden costs: premium templates ($50–$150 one-time), stock photos ($50–$200), and third-party apps for booking, forms, or email capture ($0–$30/mo each).
Path 2: WordPress on managed hosting
First-year cost: $500–$2,000. Monthly ongoing: $25–$100. WordPress.org (self-hosted) gives you more flexibility but requires more setup. Hosting from Bluehost or Hostinger runs $3–$30/mo. A premium theme costs $50–$80. Essential plugins (security, SEO, backup, caching) add $100–$300/yr. You'll likely spend time on maintenance or hire someone ($50–$150/mo for a maintenance plan). This path makes sense if you need a blog-heavy site, lots of custom pages, or specific plugin functionality.
Path 3: Custom-designed website
First-year cost: $3,000–$15,000+. Monthly ongoing: $50–$300 (hosting + maintenance). Hiring a web designer or agency gets you a tailored design, custom functionality, and (usually) a content management system you can update yourself. Prices vary wildly by market — a freelancer might charge $3,000–$5,000 for a 5-page site, while an agency could charge $10,000–$25,000+ for a more complex build. Ongoing costs include hosting ($20–$100/mo), a maintenance retainer ($100–$300/mo), and periodic updates.
Costs most guides don't mention
Domain renewal: $12–$20/yr (first year often discounted or free). SSL certificate: free with most hosts now, but some charge $50–$100/yr. Email hosting: $6–$12/user/mo for Google Workspace or Microsoft 365. Professional photos: $200–$1,000 (huge impact on credibility). Copywriting: $500–$2,000 for a 5-page site if you hire a pro. SEO setup: $500–$2,000 for initial keyword research and on-page optimization. Annual maintenance: $500–$1,500/yr if you don't do it yourself.
Which path should you choose?
If you're just starting and budget is tight, go with a DIY builder — Squarespace for service businesses, Shopify for product sellers. If you need a content-rich site with a blog or specific functionality, WordPress on managed hosting gives you the most flexibility per dollar. If your website is a core revenue driver (you're a law firm, SaaS company, or agency), invest in custom design — the ROI on first impressions is real.
The bottom line
The "right" website cost depends on your business stage, goals, and how much of the work you'll do yourself. The most expensive mistake isn't overspending — it's spending months agonizing over the decision instead of launching something. Start simple, iterate, and upgrade when revenue justifies it.
Get a personalized cost estimate for your business →Written by the CostChoices team. Last updated April 2026. Prices are based on publicly available information and may vary.