How Much Does a Website Cost for a Small Business in 2026?

What Does a Small Business Website Actually Cost?

A small business website costs anywhere from $0 to $15,000+ depending on how you build it. A DIY website builder runs $150–$500 per year. Hiring a freelance designer typically costs $1,500–$5,000. A full-service agency charges $5,000–$15,000 or more. The right option depends on your goals, your budget, and how much you value your own time.

At Brantley Sites, Marcus Brantley builds custom WordPress websites for small businesses starting at $1,997. Every project comes with fixed pricing — you know the exact cost before any work begins. No hourly billing, no estimates that balloon, no surprise invoices.

Want a clear price for your project? Call or WhatsApp +31 6 16318599 — Marcus responds within a few hours with an honest quote.

How Much Does a DIY Website Builder Cost vs Hiring a Professional?

A DIY builder like Wix or Squarespace costs $150–$500 per year, but you’re trading money for time. You design it yourself, write the content yourself, and troubleshoot every issue yourself. A professionally built website costs more upfront but saves you dozens of hours and delivers a result that actually converts visitors into customers.

Here’s how the options compare:

• DIY builder (Wix, Squarespace) — $150–$500/year. You do everything. Limited customization, weaker SEO, template-based designs. Fine for a hobby site, risky for a business that depends on leads.
• Freelance web designer — $1,500–$5,000 one-time. Custom design, better SEO, professional result. Quality varies wildly — some deliver in 2 weeks, others disappear for months.
• Web design agency — $5,000–$15,000+. Full team, polished process, enterprise-level features. Often overkill and overpriced for a small business that needs 5–10 pages.

The sweet spot for most small businesses is a professional freelance designer who offers fixed pricing, clear timelines, and full ownership of the finished site. That’s exactly where Brantley Sites operates — professional quality without the agency price tag.

What’s Included in a $1,997 vs $4,997 Website?

The difference between a $1,997 and a $4,997 website comes down to size and complexity. A $1,997 site covers the essentials. A $4,997 site is a full business platform with advanced features and ongoing support built in.

Here’s what each Brantley Sites package includes:

• Starter — $1,997 — up to 5 custom-designed pages, mobile responsive, contact form, 3 rounds of revisions. Delivered in 14 days. You see a real design mockup within 48 hours of your brief.
• Premium — $4,997 — up to 20 pages, advanced design with animations, CMS, SEO setup, optional e-commerce. Includes 30 days of post-launch support and 3 months of the Care Plan free ($591 value). Delivered in 21 days — guaranteed.

Both packages include full ownership from day one. You own your domain, your hosting login, and every line of code. No lock-in contracts, no proprietary platforms you can’t leave. Marcus Brantley handles every project personally — no juniors, no subcontractors, no handoffs.

What Are the Hidden Costs of a Small Business Website?

The sticker price of a website is rarely the full cost. Most small business owners get surprised by ongoing expenses that nobody mentioned upfront. Knowing these costs ahead of time prevents budget shock down the road.

Common hidden costs to watch for:

• Domain name — $10–$20/year. You need this regardless of how you build your site.
• Hosting — $5–$50/month depending on the provider and plan.
• SSL certificate — free with most hosts, but some charge $50–$200/year.
• Plugin licenses — premium WordPress plugins can cost $50–$300/year each.
• Maintenance and updates — security patches, plugin updates, backups. If you don’t do this, your site becomes vulnerable.
• Content changes — most designers charge $75–$150/hour for post-launch edits.

This is where the Brantley Sites Care Plan saves money. For $197/month, you get managed hosting, weekly backups, security monitoring, plugin updates, and 1 hour of edits per month included. The first 3 months are free with any project — so you’re covered from day one without extra costs piling up. Cancel anytime.

No hidden fees, no hourly billing for small changes. See the full breakdown of what’s included — every cost is transparent before you commit.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Website Built?

A professionally built small business website takes 2–4 weeks from start to launch. The timeline depends on the project size, how quickly you provide content, and how many revisions you need.

At Brantley Sites, every project comes with a delivery guarantee:

• Starter projects — delivered in 14 days
• Premium projects — delivered in 21 days or less, guaranteed
• First mockup — you see a real design (not a wireframe) within 48 hours of briefing

If your site isn’t live within 21 days of your brief, Marcus keeps building until it is — at no extra charge. That guarantee exists because most small business owners have been burned by designers who disappear for months. At Brantley Sites, accountability is built into the price.

Is a Custom Website Worth the Investment?

Yes — if your website needs to generate leads or build credibility, a custom site pays for itself. A $1,997 website that brings in even one new client per month has paid for itself within weeks for most service businesses.

The real cost isn’t the website — it’s what a bad website costs you in lost business. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, businesses with a professional online presence grow faster and reach significantly more customers than those without one.

A template from Wix looks like a template. Potential clients notice. A custom-built site designed around your brand tells people you’re the real deal — the obvious choice in your market. That’s what Marcus Brantley at Brantley Sites builds for every client.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a professional website for under $2,000?

Yes. The Brantley Sites Starter package is $1,997 and includes up to 5 custom-designed pages, mobile responsiveness, contact form integration, and 3 rounds of revisions. It’s a fully professional website, not a template.

Why is there such a big price range for websites?

The range reflects the difference between a DIY template ($150/year), a freelancer ($1,500–$5,000), and a full agency ($5,000–$15,000+). The price depends on who builds it, how custom the design is, and what features are included.

What ongoing costs should I budget for after launch?

At minimum: domain renewal ($10–$20/year), hosting ($5–$50/month), and occasional maintenance. The Brantley Sites Care Plan at $197/month covers hosting, security, backups, updates, and 1 hour of monthly edits — with the first 3 months free.

Should I use WordPress or a website builder?

WordPress gives you full ownership, better SEO, and unlimited customization. Website builders like Wix are easier to start with but lock you into their platform and limit your growth. For a business website, WordPress is the stronger choice.

Do I own my website after it’s built?

At Brantley Sites, yes — completely. You own your domain, hosting account, and every login from day one. There are no lock-in contracts and no proprietary platforms. If you ever want to move, you take everything with you.

How do I know if I’m paying too much?

Get at least 3 quotes and compare what’s included — not just the price. Ask about revisions, delivery timelines, post-launch support, and who owns the site. A $3,000 website with no support can cost more in the long run than a $4,997 one that includes everything.

What if I don’t like the design?

Brantley Sites delivers a real design mockup within 48 hours — not a wireframe, the actual design. You don’t commit until you approve the direction, and every package includes 3 rounds of revisions to get it exactly right.

Get a Clear Price for Your Website — No Surprises

At Brantley Sites, every project starts with a fixed price and a clear timeline. Starter websites from $1,997, Premium from $4,997 — both include a 48-hour design mockup, a 21-day delivery guarantee, and full ownership from day one. Marcus Brantley handles every project personally, so you always know exactly who’s building your site.

Brantley Sites
📞 +31 6 16318599 (also available on WhatsApp)
Ready for a straight answer on what your website will cost? View packages and pricing or send a message — Marcus responds within a few hours.