How Much Should You Pay for a Person / Small Business Website?

How Much Does a Small Business Website Cost?

Published by M&M Web Design | Small Business Resources

If you've been putting off getting a website for your small business because you're not sure what it's going to cost — you're not alone. It's one of the most common questions we hear from business owners, and the honest answer is: it depends. But don't worry, we're going to break it all down so you know exactly what to expect before you talk to anyone.

The Short Answer

A professional small business website typically costs anywhere from $500 to $5,000+, depending on who builds it, how complex it is, and what features you need. Here's a quick overview:

Type	Cost Range	Best For
DIY (Wix, Squarespace)	$0–$50/month	Solo freelancers, very tight budgets
Freelance designer	$500–$3,000	Small businesses, simple sites
Small agency	$2,000–$10,000	Growing businesses, more features
Large agency	$10,000+	Enterprise, e-commerce, complex apps

What Affects the Price?

1. Number of Pages

A simple 5-page site (Home, About, Services, Portfolio, Contact) is going to cost significantly less than a 20-page site with individual service pages, a blog, and a resources section. The more pages, the more design and development time involved.

2. E-commerce Functionality

If you need to sell products online, expect to pay more. Setting up an online store involves payment processing, product pages, inventory management, and additional security — all of which add time and cost. (M&M Web Design does not create E-commerce websites)

3. SEO Setup

A basic website is just a digital brochure if nobody can find it. Good designers will build SEO best practices into your site from the start — proper headings, page titles, meta descriptions, fast load times, and mobile optimization. This is worth paying for. (M&M includes basic SEO)

4. Ongoing Maintenance

Websites need updates, security patches, and occasional edits. Some designers offer monthly maintenance packages. Factor this into your budget — typically $50–$200/month for a small business site. M&M Web Design charges $125 per hour. Most updates can be done in 1 hour.

What Should You Actually Pay for a Small Business Website?

Here's our honest take: most small businesses should expect to invest $1,000–$3,000 for a quality, custom-built website.

That's the sweet spot where you get:

• A design that's actually tailored to your business

• Mobile-friendly, fast-loading pages

• Basic SEO built in from day one

• A designer who communicates with you throughout the process

• A final product you're proud to send customers to

Going cheaper often means cutting corners on design quality, SEO, or communication — and you may end up paying again sooner than you'd like to redo it.

Red Flags to Watch For

When shopping for a web designer, be cautious if someone:

• Can't show you a portfolio of real work they've done

• Promises #1 Google rankings immediately (no one can guarantee this)

• Disappears after getting your deposit — ask how they communicate during the project

• Uses a rigid, one-size-fits-all package without understanding your specific needs

• Locks you out of your own website — you should always own your domain and have access to your files

DIY vs. Hiring a Professional

You might be wondering: why not just build it myself on Wix or Squarespace?

Totally valid question. Here's the honest comparison:

DIY Pros:

• Very low upfront cost

• You control everything

DIY Cons:

• Takes significant time to learn and build

• Results often look generic or unprofessional

• SEO setup is harder without experience

• Every hour you spend building a website is an hour not spent on your business

For most business owners, your time is worth more than the cost of hiring someone. A professional handles it faster, better, and so you can stay focused on what you're actually good at.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Web Designer

1. Can I see examples of websites you've built for businesses like mine?

2. What's included in the price — and what costs extra?

3. How long will the project take, and what's the process?

4. Will I own my domain and website files after it's done?

5. Do you offer any ongoing support or maintenance?

6. How do you handle communication and revisions?

The Bottom Line

A great website is one of the best investments a small business can make. It works for you 24/7, builds trust with new customers, and helps people find you on Google. The key is finding a designer who takes the time to understand your business and builds something that actually reflects it.

At M&M Web Design, we specialize in affordable, custom websites for small businesses across the United States. We keep our prices competitive, our communication clear, and our focus on your goals — not ours.

Ready to find out what a website would cost for your specific business? Contact us for a free, no-pressure quote →

M&M Web Design builds custom websites for small businesses nationwide. Personal service, affordable pricing, fast turnaround.