Why Website Costs Matter for Small Businesses
A website is the foundation of any modern business. It is your digital storefront, lead generation engine, and primary marketing tool. Yet, many small business owners struggle to understand the true cost of building and maintaining a high-quality website.
The reality is that website costs can range from a few hundred dollars for a basic DIY setup to $25,000 or more for a fully custom-built, AI-powered solution. While cost is an important factor, the real question is what level of performance, security, and reliability your business needs.
Many businesses make the mistake of choosing a low-cost, self-hosted website solution that requires ongoing maintenance, frequent security updates, and troubleshooting for server-related issues. This is why more small businesses are moving to hosted platforms such as Wix Studio and HubSpot, which provide a fully managed experience with automatic updates, built-in security, and seamless integrations.
This guide breaks down every aspect of website costs, from design and development to ongoing maintenance, helping you choose the best solution for your business in 2025.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Website for a Small Business in 2025?
Website costs vary based on the approach you take. Here is a general breakdown:
|
Website Type |
Estimated Cost |
Best For |
|
DIY Website Builders (Wix Studio, Squarespace) |
$20 – $99 per month |
Personal projects, small businesses needing basic websites |
|
Freelancers & Small Agencies |
$500 – $5,000 |
Local businesses looking for an affordable, customized design |
|
Custom Websites from a Professional Agency |
$5,000 – $25,000+ |
Businesses that need a high-performing, scalable website with advanced features and automation |
For businesses that rely on their website for lead generation, customer engagement, and long-term growth, investing in a fully managed, custom-built website provides the best return on investment.
What Factors Impact the Average Cost of Web Design for a Small Business?
Several key factors determine the cost of a small business website:
- Design Complexity: A custom design tailored to your brand costs more than using a pre-made template.
- Number of Pages: A simple five-page website is more affordable than a multi-page site with blogs, case studies, and service pages.
- Functionality and Features: Advanced features such as appointment booking, AI-powered chatbots, automation, and CRM integrations add to the overall cost.
- SEO Optimization: A well-optimized site ranks higher in search results, requiring additional work on content structure, metadata, and page speed.
- Ongoing Maintenance and Support: Websites require updates, security monitoring, and continuous performance optimization to stay competitive.
Should You Use a Website Builder or Hire an Agency?
Choosing between a website builder and a professional agency depends on your business goals, budget, and long-term growth strategy.
Website Builders (Wix Studio, HubSpot, Squarespace)
- Cost-effective with monthly subscription plans
- No maintenance required, as hosting, security, and updates are handled by the provider
- User-friendly interface with drag-and-drop design
- Limited customization compared to fully custom-built sites
Hiring a Professional Web Design Agency
- Custom design tailored to your brand identity
- Advanced functionality and AI-powered automation
- Full SEO optimization for higher search rankings
- Higher upfront cost but lower long-term maintenance needs
For businesses that need a website optimized for lead generation, conversions, and long-term scalability, hiring an agency that specializes in hosted platforms provides the best balance of performance and ease of use.
How Much Does a Domain Name and Hosting Cost?
A website requires both a domain name and hosting, but the costs vary depending on the provider and features included.
- Domain Name: $10 – $60 per year
- Website Hosting (included with Wix Studio, HubSpot, and Squarespace plans): $10 – $200 per month
- SSL Certificate (often included in hosted platforms): $0 – $300 per year
Choosing a hosted platform eliminates the need for separate hosting and security management, reducing potential downtime and technical issues.
How Long Does It Take to Build a Small Business Website?
The timeline for building a website depends on its complexity:
|
Website Type |
Timeframe |
|
DIY Website Builder |
1 – 2 weeks |
|
Basic Small Business Website |
4 – 6 weeks |
|
Custom Website with AI & Automation |
8 – 16 weeks |
A high-quality website takes time to develop, but the investment ensures long-term stability and growth.
How Much Does It Cost to Maintain a Website for a Small Business?
With a fully hosted platform like Wix Studio or HubSpot, maintenance is included in the subscription cost. For businesses using custom-built websites on traditional hosting, maintenance costs can add up:
- Domain & Hosting Fees: $10 – $200 per month
- Security Updates & Patches: $100 – $1,000 per year
- SEO & Content Updates: $500 – $5,000 per year
Choosing a hosted solution eliminates many of these ongoing costs, allowing business owners to focus on growth rather than website maintenance.
How Much Does an eCommerce Website Cost?
An eCommerce website requires additional features such as product listings, payment processing, and order management. Costs vary based on functionality:
|
eCommerce Feature |
Additional Cost |
|
Shopping Cart & Checkout |
$1,000 – $5,000 |
|
Product Listings |
$50 – $200 per product |
|
Payment Gateway Integration |
$500 – $2,000 |
|
AI-Powered Recommendations |
$2,000+ |
A fully functional eCommerce website on a hosted platform like Shopify or Wix Studio can range from $7,000 to $50,000 depending on customization.
What Are the Most Common Website Design Mistakes to Avoid?
- Choosing the Cheapest Option: A low-cost website often results in poor performance and lost business opportunities.
- Ignoring SEO: A website that is not optimized for search engines will struggle to attract organic traffic.
- Not Prioritizing Mobile Performance: Over 60 percent of web traffic comes from mobile users, making mobile optimization essential.
- Relying on Outdated Technology: A website should be built on a platform that receives regular updates and security patches.
Final Thoughts: Is a Website Worth the Investment?
A well-designed website is not an expense; it is an investment in the long-term success of your business. Choosing a fully hosted, zero-maintenance platform eliminates the risks and ongoing costs associated with self-hosted solutions while providing the reliability, speed, and security needed for business growth.
For small businesses looking for scalability, automation, and ease of use, solutions like Wix Studio and HubSpot offer the best balance of affordability, functionality, and long-term value.
Next Steps: Ready to Build a Website That Works for Your Business?
At IMS, we specialize in building custom, AI-powered websites on hosted platforms that eliminate the need for constant maintenance while delivering powerful lead generation and business growth capabilities.
If you are ready to build a website that helps your business thrive, schedule a consultation today.
Let’s create a website that works for you—without the headaches of security updates, plugin management, or server maintenance.
Written By Solomon Thimothy
Solomon Thimothy has been helping small and medium businesses generate leads and acquire customers since 2006, focusing on strategies that drive exponential growth. His mission is to help businesses think bigger, scale faster, and achieve 10X success.