In today’s digital-first world, having a website isn’t optional — it’s essential. But one of the most common questions we hear from small business owners is: “How much does a website actually cost?” The short answer? It depends. The long answer? We’ve broken it down for you.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or revamping an existing site, understanding what you’re paying for — and why — can help you make smarter, more confident decisions.

1. Initial Costs: Design & Development

Let’s start with the upfront investment. These are the costs involved in getting your website up and running.

Website Design

DIY Website Builders
💡 Best for: very small budgets and simple needs
Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress.com offer drag-and-drop templates that let you build your site yourself. Plans typically range from $10 – $50/month, often bundled with hosting.

Pros: Affordable and easy to use.
Cons: Limited customization and scalability.

Freelance Designers
💡 Best for: more personalized, professional design
Hiring a freelancer gives you greater creative control and a tailored look. Depending on their experience and the scope of your project, expect to spend $500 – $5,000.

Pros: Custom design that reflects your brand.
Cons: Costs vary, and quality can depend on who you hire.

Design Agencies
💡 Best for: comprehensive branding and strategy
Experienced agencies offer end-to-end services — from visual identity to responsive development. Pricing typically starts at $3,000 and can scale well beyond $10,000+, depending on complexity.

Pros: Strategic, scalable, and aligned with long-term growth.
Cons: Higher upfront investment.

Website Development

Custom Development
If your site needs custom functionality — like booking systems, user accounts, or custom e-commerce features — development can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $50,000+, depending on the features and integrations needed.

CMS-Based Development
Platforms like WordPress or Shopify offer robust content management with lower costs thanks to reusable themes and plugins. Expect to pay around $500 – $2,000 for a basic setup, more for advanced customization.

2. Ongoing Costs: Hosting & Maintenance

Once your website is live, you’ll need to keep it running smoothly and securely.

Web Hosting

• Shared Hosting: $3 – $10/month — Budget-friendly, but limited resources.

• VPS Hosting: $20 – $100/month — Better performance and flexibility.

• Dedicated Hosting: $100 – $500/month — Best for high-traffic sites.

Many businesses start with shared or VPS hosting and scale up as they grow.

Website Maintenance

Keeping your site updated, secure, and functioning is crucial. Here’s what to budget for:

• Content updates: $100 – $1,000/month, depending on frequency.

• Technical maintenance: $50 – $300/month for tasks like plugin updates, backups, and security monitoring.

• Ongoing SEO & digital marketing: $300 – $2,000/month depending on your strategy.

Pro tip: A maintenance package (like the ones we offer at Dojo Dots!) can bundle updates, security, and support for predictable monthly costs.

3. Additional Costs: Domain & Marketing

Domain Registration

Your website address typically costs $10 – $50/year, depending on the registrar and domain extension (.com, .co, etc.). Some hosts include a free domain for the first year.

Marketing

Once your site is live, marketing ensures people actually find it.

• Social Media Marketing: $200 – $2,000/month depending on in-house vs agency management.

• Email Marketing Tools: $10 – $300/month depending on your subscriber count.

• PPC (Pay-Per-Click) Advertising: Budgets vary widely — plan for $500+ per month to get traction.

Final Thoughts

A website is more than just a digital brochure — it’s your storefront, salesperson, and brand ambassador rolled into one. While costs vary based on your goals and scale, understanding where your investment goes empowers you to choose wisely.

Whether you go DIY or work with a professional team, the most important thing is to think of your website as a growth tool — not just an expense. When done right, it pays for itself through stronger customer engagement, brand credibility, and sales.

At Dojo Dots the pricing is different.

Need help navigating the options? We’re here to help small businesses like yours build websites that work for you — beautiful, functional, and built to grow.