What is the Average Cost of Website Design for Small Business?

Thinking of getting a new website but unsure what it’ll cost you? You’re not alone.

From DIY builds to custom-crafted designs, the price of a website can vary. Some options may come with a lower price tag but significant limitations, while others demand a premium yet fail to deliver a meaningful return on investment.

But don’t worry, we’re here to help you make the most of your website budget. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the average website design costs for small businesses and what you should expect to get for your money.

Factors that Affect Average Small Business Web Design Costs

One common mistake business owners make is treating their website like an online catalog. This approach is often why they fail to get the most out of their investment. 

In reality, a website is an essential online marketing tool. It requires time, expertise, and creative direction to drive meaningful business results. This is the main reason why it comes at a premium cost for an established agency. 

Here are the factors that affect the cost of web design:

1) Project Scope & Size

The size and complexity of your website are major factors in determining its cost. The larger and more feature-rich your site, the more detailed the planning and design processes, all of which factor into the final price.

For instance, a simple 5-page brochure site is far less expensive than a large-scale website with 30+ pages or advanced features like a custom booking system or e-commerce functionality. 

The more pages and features your website has, the more time will be required for design, development, and testing. Moreover, content-heavy websites may need a strategic approach to information architecture or user experience (UX). And as a result, it increases the overall cost of the service. 

2) Level of Customisation

The level of customisation you want for your website is another key factor in determining the cost. Template-based websites, such as those built on Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress, are budget-friendly and can get your site up and running quickly. 

However, these platforms come with limitations in terms of design flexibility, performance, and scalability. If you need a website that is customised to your brand and designed for optimal user experience, a custom-built website is the way to go. 

Custom websites are often built from scratch, thus allowing for greater creative freedom and functionality that aligns with your business goals and audience needs. This level of design and development takes more time and expertise which naturally makes the investment higher.

3) Type of Website

The type of website you’re building also affects the cost. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of websites and their associated costs:

• Brochure Websites (informational, no transactions): Least expensive, ideal for businesses with a simple online presence.
• Lead Generation Websites (contact forms, lead capture, tracking): Mid-range cost, suitable for businesses focused on generating leads.
• E-Commerce Websites (product pages, checkout systems, online payment processing): More complex and costly due to the technical requirements involved.
• Custom Applications/Client Portals (logins, third-party integrations, secure data handling): Most expensive, requiring advanced functionality and custom development.

4) Features & Functionality

The features and functionality you need on your website can also influence its cost. Here are some examples of features and their impact on the cost:

• Basic Features (e.g., contact forms, newsletter signups): Generally inexpensive and easy to implement.
• Advanced Features (e.g., booking systems, membership portals, CRM integration): Requires custom development and adds complexity and cost.
• E-Commerce Features (e.g., product pages, checkout systems): Highly technical, requiring more resources and increasing cost.

5) Content Development

Content plays a crucial role in your website’s success, not only for SEO but also for engaging visitors and converting them into customers. 

If you have your own content (e.g. text and images) your website’s cost might be lower. But, if you need a professional copywriter, brand strategist, or photographer to create compelling content, it will increase the total cost. 

High-quality, well-crafted content can significantly enhance the user experience and improve your website’s conversion rates. Investing in professional content can help ensure your website stands out in search engine results.

6) Who You Hire

Of course, the team you hire to design and build your website will directly impact both the cost and the outcome. Here are some options to consider:

• Freelancers: Cost-effective for smaller projects, but may lack strategic oversight or resources needed for larger, more complex websites.
• Small to Mid-Sized Agencies: Offer more reliability, structured processes, and better quality control for handling more complex projects.
• Specialist Agencies (e.g., Chromatix): Focus on high-performance, conversion-oriented websites, with a strategic approach to design and business outcomes.

One-Time vs. Ongoing Website Costs

Website design isn’t just a one-off cost. You’ll also need to factor in ongoing expenses for maintenance, hosting, and improvements. We’ve made a quick breakdown to help you better assess your website needs and budget:

One-Time Costs

• Design & development
• Domain name registration
• Email setup and branding
• Initial SEO and speed optimisation

Ongoing Costs

• Web hosting ($10–$100/month depending on provider)
• Maintenance and updates ($100–$500/month or on retainer)
• SEO and performance tracking
• Plugin or third-party service fees
• Content updates and UX improvements

While it’s tempting to “set and forget,” websites perform best when they’re treated as living assets that evolve with your business.

Average Cost of Website Design for Small Business

The average cost of website design for a small business typically ranges between $5,000 and $15,000, depending on the complexity, features, and level of customisation required. 

Basic websites using DIY builders like Wix or Squarespace may cost as little as $500 to $1,500, while hiring a freelancer for a more tailored design can range from $1,500 to $5,000. 

However, for small businesses looking for a professionally designed, high-converting site from a specialist agency, the investment usually starts around $10,000 and can go up to $50,000 for a fully custom, strategic website built for performance and growth.

Why “Cheap” Can Be Expensive

It’s easy to chase the cheapest option, especially for new or budget-conscious businesses. But the truth is, websites are not created equal.

Low-cost builds often result in:

• Poor mobile responsiveness
• Slow loading times
• Weak SEO foundations
• Generic design that doesn’t build trust
• Difficult updates or lack of support

Worst case? You’ll be redesigning the site in 12 months, effectively doubling your cost. Investing in a professionally built, strategic website from the start will save time, money, and missed opportunities in the long run.

Think of Your Website as a Business Tool, Not an Expense

Successful business websites view their site as a 24/7 salesperson, lead generator, and brand ambassador. For small businesses, this can make the difference between steady growth and stagnant leads.

The average small business website costs between $5,000 and $15,000, with high-performance, custom builds reaching up to $50,000. What you choose to spend should align with your business goals, industry competition, and expectations for performance.

At Chromatix, we specialise in building custom, conversion-optimised websites for businesses who are serious about growth. If you’re unsure how much to invest or where to begin, don’t hesitate to give our team a call.