The short answer
For most small businesses, the total cost of a website comes down to four things: the build (a one-off cost), the domain name (a small yearly fee), hosting (anything from nothing to a monthly fee), and upkeep (changes, fixes and updates over time). The build is the big number. The other three are where costs quietly add up over the years.
As a rough guide, a do-it-yourself site on a website builder costs the least upfront but the most of your time. A freelancer or small agency build usually sits in the low-to-mid thousands of dollars for a typical five to ten page business site. Large custom builds with integrations, e-commerce or member areas can run well beyond that.
What drives the price of a website
1. Number of pages and how unique each one is
A home page, about page, services page and contact page is a very different job from 30 service and location pages. Pages that share one layout are cheaper than pages that each need their own design.
2. Who writes the content
Copywriting is often the hidden cost. If you supply finished text and photos, the build is faster. If your designer writes the words, plans the structure and sources images, expect that to be priced in, and expect a better result, because most websites fail on content rather than design.
3. Features and integrations
Booking systems, online payments, quote calculators, CRM connections and email sign-ups all add time. Some are quick to connect. Others need custom work and testing.
4. Design: template or custom
A template gets you online quickly but can look like everyone else. A custom design is built around your brand and your customers, and usually converts better because every section has a job.
5. SEO groundwork
Page titles, meta descriptions, headings, fast loading, mobile layout and a Google Business Profile link are the basics that help you get found. Some cheap quotes skip them entirely. Ask.
Ongoing costs most people forget
- Domain renewal. Usually a small yearly fee. Make sure the domain is registered in your name, not your designer's.
- Hosting. Ranges from free to a meaningful monthly bill. Lightweight sites built as static pages can often be hosted on a global network at no monthly cost. Read our guide on choosing web hosting for the details.
- Plugins and licences. Some platforms charge yearly for themes, plugins or premium features.
- Changes and updates. New services, price changes, seasonal offers. Find out upfront whether edits are included, billed hourly or covered by a care plan.
- Business email. Email on your own domain is usually a small per-user monthly fee.
DIY builder vs freelancer vs agency
DIY website builders suit very early businesses that need something online this week. The trade-off is your time, monthly subscription fees that never end, and a site that's harder to rank and convert.
Freelancers can be excellent value, especially specialists. Check their portfolio, ask who owns the site files and the domain, and ask what happens if they disappear.
Agencies cost more but bring a team: design, copy, SEO and marketing in one place. A small agency is often the sweet spot because you still deal with the person doing the work.
How to compare website quotes
- Ask exactly how many pages and revisions are included.
- Ask who writes the content and who supplies the photos.
- Ask what's included for SEO, speed and mobile.
- Ask about hosting costs for the next three years, not just year one.
- Confirm you'll own the domain, the content and the site files.
- Ask what changes cost after launch.
A quote that looks cheap can become expensive once hosting, licences and change requests are added. A quote that looks high may include copywriting, SEO and years of free hosting. Compare the total over two or three years.
Is a cheap website worth it?
A website's job is to turn visitors into enquiries. A cheap site that loads slowly, says nothing specific and has no clear call to action costs you leads every month, which is far more than you saved. Spend where it affects results: clear content, fast loading, a strong offer and an easy way to contact you. Our checklist of what every small business website needs covers the essentials.
How we price websites at O'Keefe & Co.
We quote a fixed price after a free call, so you know the full cost before anything starts. Most sites we build are fast static sites, which means no monthly hosting fee for most clients. If you want a number for your business, book a free call and we'll scope it with you.
Frequently asked questions
How much should a small business pay for a website?
It depends on the number of pages, who writes the content and what features you need. Most small business sites built by a freelancer or small agency cost a few thousand dollars, with domain, hosting and updates on top. Compare the total cost over two to three years, not just the build fee.
Are there monthly costs for a website?
Usually yes: domain renewal each year, plus hosting, business email and any paid plugins. Some static sites can be hosted with no monthly fee, so ask your designer what hosting will cost.
Do I own my website if someone else builds it?
You should. Make sure the domain is registered in your name and that your contract gives you ownership of the content and site files.