How much should a website cost in 2026?
If you've searched this question, you've probably already seen answers ranging from $500 to $50,000 — which isn't exactly helpful. Here's a straight answer: a professional small business website typically costs between $1,500 and $10,000, depending on who builds it and what's actually included. Let me break down what those numbers mean and what you should actually expect to pay.
The main options and what they cost
DIY platforms (Squarespace, Wix, Showit) $20–50/month, plus your time
Building your own site on a platform like Squarespace is the most affordable option on paper. But it comes with a real hidden cost…your time. Most small business owners underestimate how long it takes to design a site that looks professional, write copy that converts, and figure out the SEO basics. If your time is worth anything, the "cheap" option gets expensive fast.
Freelance designer with a template $1,500–3,500
A freelancer who drops your content into a pre-built template can turn things around quickly and at a lower price point. The tradeoff is that your site looks like everyone else's, and copywriting and SEO are almost always extra — or not offered at all.
Custom freelance designer $3,000–8,000
This is where you get a site built specifically for your business — custom layout, intentional design, and a strategy behind it. A good freelance designer at this tier should be handling more than just the visuals. Design, copy, and SEO should all be part of the conversation.
Agency $8,000–25,000+
Agencies bring teams, processes, and overhead — and their pricing reflects that. For most small businesses, you're paying for more than you need.
What's usually not included in a cheap website
This is where a lot of small business owners get caught off guard. A low quote often means a low scope. Here's what frequently gets left out:
Copywriting — most designers expect you to provide all the text. Writing your own website copy is harder than it sounds, and most business owners either stall on it or write something that doesn't convert.
SEO — a site that looks good but doesn't show up on Google isn't doing its job. On-page SEO, meta tags, schema markup, and Google Search Console setup should be part of any professional build.
Brand styling — if you don't have a defined color palette, typography system, and visual direction, many designers will just pick something generic.
Ongoing support — once the site is live, who handles updates? Many designers hand off the files and disappear.
When you're comparing quotes, always ask what's included. A $2,000 quote that excludes copy, SEO, and support can easily become a $5,000 project once you add those pieces — or a $2,000 site that just doesn't work.
What should be included in a complete website project
A complete website build for a small business should include:
A strategy session to understand your goals and target clients
Custom design built around your brand
Copywriting for every page, written to convert and rank
On-page SEO — keywords, headings, meta descriptions
Technical SEO — schema markup, sitemap, Google Search Console setup
Mobile optimization and page speed
A handoff and training so you know how to manage your own site
Why the cheapest option often costs more in the long run
A $1,500 website that doesn't show up on Google, doesn't clearly explain what you do, and doesn't make it easy to contact you isn't a bargain — it's a liability. The cost of lost leads, a rewrite, or starting over from scratch adds up fast.
A professional website is one of the few business investments that works for you around the clock. It's worth doing well once.
What does a website from Open Tree Creative cost?
I'm based in Concord, NH and work with small businesses across New Hampshire and Canada. Every project I take on includes strategy, custom design, copywriting, SEO, and launch. All of it is handled by one person from start to finish. Projects typically start at $5,000 for a complete website solution. Ongoing monthly support plans start at $149/month for businesses that want their site kept current without touching it themselves.
If you're not sure what you need yet, the best first step is a free 30-minute discovery call. We'll talk through your goals and I'll give you an honest assessment of what makes sense for your business.
Not sure if your current site is doing its job? Download the free 30-point website checklist and find out exactly what's missing.
