Average Website Design Cost for Small Businesses in 2026

Understanding the average cost of website design for small businesses is an important step in building a strong online presence. A modern website is no longer optional. It’s a core business asset that influences credibility, customer experience, and the effectiveness of your marketing efforts. Despite this, many business owners struggle to understand what a website should cost and why prices vary so widely.

This article breaks down the true cost of website design in 2026, including DIY options, freelancers, agencies, and ongoing maintenance. You’ll also learn what to expect at each tier and how to choose the best approach for your business.

Why Website Design Costs Vary

Website design isn’t a fixed-price service. Costs can differ based on complexity, quality standards, design expectations, and the skill level of the person or team building the site. Much of this variation stems from choices you make early in the process.

A well-built website helps prevent common issues like poor user experience, confusing navigation, and slow load times, all of which can increase costs if they need to be fixed later. Likewise, the fundamentals of effective small business website design often influence scope and cost when applied correctly.

At a high level, the cost of a website depends on:

• The approach: DIY, freelancer, or agency
• Number of pages
• Custom design vs. template design
• Branding requirements
• Content creation (copy, images, video)
• Functional needs (e-commerce, booking tools, integrations)
• Hosting, security, and performance requirements
• Ongoing updates and maintenance

With these variables in mind, let’s compare the real cost of each route.

DIY Website Builders: Lowest Cost, Limited Flexibility

DIY website builders are the most affordable way to get a small-business website online. Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and Weebly provide templates, basic drag-and-drop tools, and hosting bundled into one subscription.

While many small businesses start here, these platforms are best suited for simple websites or temporary solutions. This cost and feature breakdown closely mirrors how popular website builders compare for small businesses.

Cost Breakdown (DIY Builders)

• Upfront cost: $0–$300
• Monthly cost: $10–$30 for hosting and subscriptions
• Additional apps or premium themes: $0–$200
  

What You Get

• Basic template-based design
• Essential pages (Home, About, Services, Contact)
• Simple visual customization
• Bundled hosting, SSL, and support

When DIY Works

• You need a very simple website
• You plan to upgrade later
• You have limited technical needs
• Your priority is speed and affordability

Limitations

DIY tools are cost-effective but rarely scalable. Businesses often outgrow them once they require more design flexibility, better performance, or stronger branding.

Freelancers: Mid-Range Cost, Moderate Customization

Hiring a freelance web designer is a good option when you want more customization without the cost of a full agency. Freelancers can provide tailored designs, more hands-on creation, and additional services such as copywriting or branding.

However, quality varies significantly, and scope requires careful management.

Cost Breakdown (Freelancers)

• Typical cost: $500–$5,000
• Premium freelancers: $5,000–$10,000
• Maintenance: $50–$150/month (varies widely)

What You Get

• Better design quality than DIY
• Custom or semi-custom design
• More flexible functionality
• Potential SEO or content support
• Direct communication with the creator

When Freelancers Work Best

• You need a polished site without agency-level cost
• Your site requires moderate customization
• You want someone who can expand or update the site later

Limitations

Freelancers may not provide the full strategy, copywriting, performance optimization, or long-term support that many small businesses need. Projects can also become more expensive if you add features after the initial agreement.

Agencies: Highest Cost, Most Support and Scalability

A professional website agency provides the most comprehensive service. You’re paying for design expertise, development skill, project management, quality assurance, and long-term reliability.

These sites are designed to scale, perform well, and represent your brand with authority.

Cost Breakdown (Agencies)

• Typical small business website: $5,000–$15,000
• Feature-rich or e-commerce site: $15,000–$60,000+
• Maintenance retainers: $100–$1,000/month depending on needs

What You Get

• Custom, professional design
• User experience/user interface strategy
• Copywriting and content planning
• SEO optimization
• Mobile performance
• High-quality hosting recommendations
• Ongoing support and maintenance

When Agencies Are the Best Fit

• You need a credible, growth-ready website
• Your website is tied directly to revenue
• You need branding, strategy, and development under one roof
• You want a long-term partner

Limitations

Cost. Agencies require a higher upfront investment, which may not be justified for businesses with limited budgets or websites that are not directly tied to revenue generation. For growth-focused businesses, however, the long-term return on investment is often substantial.

What Affects Website Pricing

To understand the true cost of a website, it’s important to consider the factors that directly influence pricing.

Number of Pages

A simple 5-page website costs significantly less than a 20+ page site that requires custom layouts and advanced content structures.

Design Requirements

Fully custom designs are more expensive than modified templates. Branding elements such as custom illustrations, photography, and unique visual styles also increase costs.

Content Creation

If you need support with website copy, image sourcing, or visual asset creation, these services are typically priced separately.

Technical Functionality

Additional features and integrations raise development costs, including:

• Online booking or scheduling
• E-commerce functionality
• Membership or login portals
• Payment processing systems
• Integrations with CRMs or inventory tools

Hosting and Performance

Cheap hosting can slow your site and create reliability issues. Investing in quality hosting supports faster load times, better uptime, and improved overall website performance.

Ongoing Maintenance

Every website needs routine updates, backups, security patches, and content changes. Failing to maintain your website often results in larger costs down the road.

Pricing Tier Summary: What You Get at Each Level

Entry-Level / DIY Website ($0–$300)

• Template-based design
• Limited functionality
• Fast setup and launch
• Less design flexibility
• Best suited for very small or new businesses

Mid-Tier / Freelancer ($500–$5,000)

• Greater customization
• Higher design quality
• Some strategic input and structure
• Service quality varies by freelancer

Professional / Agency ($5,000–$15,000+)

• Fully custom design
• Strategic content and conversion planning
• Strong performance and mobile optimization
• Reliable long-term support

Common Hidden or Ongoing Costs

These ongoing expenses are often overlooked when budgeting for a website:

• Hosting and domain renewals
• SSL certificates (if not included with hosting)
• Software licenses and paid plugins
• Performance optimization and monitoring
• Routine updates and technical fixes
• Security monitoring and backups
• Content updates or additions

Budgeting for ongoing costs ensures your site remains functional, fast, and secure.

How to Choose the Right Website Budget

Determine Your Business Goals

If your website is a core sales or lead-generation tool, a higher-tier solution can help maximize performance, credibility, and conversions.

Consider Your Growth Plans

Template-driven websites may work initially, but they often struggle to scale as your business grows and your needs become more complex.

Prioritize Quality Over Low Cost

A poorly built website can hurt conversions and weaken brand trust. Investing in quality upfront often prevents the need for costly rebuilds later.

Match Your Approach to Your Technical Comfort Level

If you are not comfortable maintaining a website, plan for ongoing support or choose a provider that includes long-term maintenance.

What Small Businesses Should Expect to Pay

For most small businesses in 2026, the average cost of a high-quality, professional website falls between $2,000 and $8,000, with more advanced builds reaching $15,000 or more. DIY options are available for a few hundred dollars, while agencies provide comprehensive solutions at a higher cost.

For small businesses seeking a professional website without the high upfront cost, Levitate offers a compelling alternative. Unlike traditional agencies that require a substantial initial investment, Levitate includes the development and management of a high-quality, growth-ready website as part of its comprehensive monthly marketing platform fee. This approach provides a professionally-managed web presence with strong branding and performance, bundling it seamlessly with other essential marketing tools. It is an excellent fit for businesses that want an agency-level site and service while simplifying their budget with a predictable, all-inclusive subscription model.