Updated June 2026
How much does it cost to set up a website in 2026?
Short answer
In 2026, setting up a basic small-business website costs between $60 and $300 per year if you do it yourself with a builder like Wix or Squarespace. Hiring a freelancer typically costs $500–$3,000 one-time. A professional agency build runs $2,500–$10,000+ depending on pages, integrations, and copywriting. Ongoing hosting and domain renewals add roughly $100–$300/year regardless of who builds it.
Key facts
- Domain name: $10–$20/year
- Website builder (Wix, Squarespace, Webflow): $16–$45/month
- Managed WordPress hosting: $5–$30/month
- Freelancer custom build: $500–$3,000 one-time
- Agency build: $2,500–$10,000+ one-time
- Setup Domain flat-rate small-business site: starts at $1,200 with everything included
Step-by-step
- 1
Pick a domain
Buy a .com from Namecheap or Cloudflare ($10–$15/year). Match your business name.
- 2
Choose a platform
Squarespace or Wix for simple sites; WordPress for control; hire help if your time is worth more than $50/hr.
- 3
Add hosting
Builders include hosting. WordPress needs separate hosting (Hostinger, SiteGround, Cloudways).
- 4
Build the pages
Home, Services, About, Contact at minimum. Add a Google Business Profile link.
- 5
Launch and submit
Connect the domain, submit to Google Search Console, claim your Google Business Profile.
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Get a free audit →Frequently asked
Is it cheaper to build a website yourself?
Yes — cheaper in dollars, more expensive in time. A DIY Squarespace site costs about $200/year but takes 20–60 hours to build well. If your hourly value is over $50, hiring is usually cheaper.
What's the cheapest way to set up a small business website?
Carrd ($19/year) or a free Google Business Profile for a single-page presence. For a real multi-page site, the cheapest credible option is Squarespace or Wix at ~$16/month.
Are there hidden costs?
Yes: premium templates ($60–$200), stock photos ($10–$50/image), email hosting ($6/user/month with Google Workspace), and SSL on legacy hosts. Modern builders include SSL free.
How much should a small business spend on a website?
Most small businesses should budget $1,500–$5,000 for the initial build and $50–$200/month for hosting, maintenance, and updates.