A custom website is among the best investments you can make in your company. But before you begin designing the website of your dreams, you should first find out how much it costs to make a website for a small business. It should go without saying that a website’s cost can vary greatly depending on its features and complexity.
If you’re a small business owner looking to go online, you should budget between $3,000 and $30,000 for a high-quality custom website.
Factors That Influence Website Costs for Small Businesses
Depending on several variables, the price of developing a website for your small business can vary significantly.
Functionality and features
The more complex your website is, the more it will cost. If all you want is a straightforward website with a few content pages, then it will be what you want on the lower end of the spectrum. Nevertheless, if you need interactive features, the cost will increase significantly.
Custom vs. template
Using a template is the most budget-friendly option but it limits customization. A custom-designed site tailored to your brand will cost more but give you more control over the look and layout. Many small businesses find a good middle ground using a template they can customize.
Designer vs. DIY
A professional web designer typically charges several thousand dollars per hire. If you make the website yourself using a drag-and-drop website builder, you’ll spend very little or nothing, but it will take a lot of time, and you will also not give it a professional touch. Hire a professional agency like AFX Web Studio to create an appealing website for your small business.
Maintenance and updates
Don’t forget that a website needs ongoing maintenance like content updates, security patches, and hosting fees, which can cost $50 to $500 per month. Be sure to factor ongoing costs into your budget to keep your site working well and looking its best.
With some smart choices, you can get a high-quality, effective small business website built for an affordable price. By balancing functionality, customization, hiring a pro vs. DIY, and factoring in maintenance costs, you’ll get the site you need without breaking the bank.
Average Cost Ranges for Small Business Websites
The cost of building a basic small business website can vary quite a bit, depending on your needs and who designs it. In general, you can expect to pay:
- A basic DIY website builder template costs between $500 and $3,000. If you’re tech-savvy, you can use a basic drag-and-drop tool like Wix or Weebly to create a basic website yourself.
- A web designer’s custom template typically costs between $2,000 and $5,000. A designer can add a small amount of functionality and modify a template to fit your brand.
- They’ll handle setting up the template, content input, and simple customizations.
- $5,000 to $15,000 for a semi-custom website A web developer will build a site from scratch with a CMS like WordPress so you can easily update the content. The design will be customized to your brand. You’ll get more advanced features like an online store, blog, lead capture forms, etc.
- $10,000 to $30,000+ for an advanced custom website. For a highly customized site with complex features like customer portals, integrations with other software, custom functionality, and dynamic content, you’ll want to work with a web development firm.
With some research, you can find reputable yet affordable web designers and developers to bring your online vision to life.
Advice for Getting the Most Out of Your Small Business Website Development
You can launch an eye-catching and functional website without going over budget with a little careful planning.
Focus on essentials
Keep your site simple by including only the key pages you need: a home page, an about page, a contact page, and service and product pages. Skip extras like blogs, portfolios, and galleries, which can be added later. A basic 3- to 5-page website is all you need to start.
Use free or low-cost tools.
Rather than paying hundreds for web hosting and designer tools, use free or inexpensive options like Wix, Weebly, or WordPress. These make it easy to build a stylish site yourself with professional templates and drag-and-drop features. If you get stuck, you can find affordable help on Fiverr or Upwork.
Keep your design clean and minimal.
A simple, uncluttered design will showcase your content in the best light. Stick to a maximum of 2 or 3 fonts, avoid distracting animations, and leave plenty of white space. A minimal design also translates well to mobile devices so your whole audience can enjoy your site.
Focus on great content.
Your content is the heart of your site, so spend time crafting informative but concise text, professional images, and calls to action that will resonate with your customers. Well-written, optimized content will also help your site rank in search engines, leading to more organic traffic.
Conclusion
Now you know how much it costs to make a website for a small business. A custom website with all the bells and whistles will likely cost you several thousand dollars, but if you’re willing to put in a little work, you can create a simple yet elegant website for a few hundred dollars.
A website is, in the end, among the best investments you can make in your business. It will not only increase your online reputation but also give you a platform to share your story, connect with new customers, and ultimately boost revenue.