Short answer
In 2026, a small business website typically costs $500–$5,000 with a freelancer and from $3,000 with an agency. Ecommerce sites usually run $5,000–$55,000 and mid-sized business sites $7,500–$35,000. On top of that, budget for hosting, domain, security and maintenance every year.
Website quotes can range from a few hundred dollars to six figures for what sounds like the same thing. This guide explains where those numbers come from, what a small business should realistically budget in 2026, and the yearly costs that come after launch.
Website costs at a glance
WebFX's 2026 WordPress cost guide breaks typical upfront costs down by business type:
| Type of business | Upfront cost (USD) | Yearly maintenance |
|---|---|---|
| Small business | $75–$2,500 | $300–$700 |
| Ecommerce | $5,000–$55,000 | $1,000–$3,000 |
| Mid-sized business | $7,500–$35,000 | $2,000–$5,000 |
| Enterprise | $10,000–$115,000 | $5,000–$15,000 |
The lowest small-business figures assume you build the site yourself. Hiring help changes the picture.
Do it yourself, freelancer or agency?
- Do it yourself: low cash cost, but a lot of your time, and the result often looks like a template.
- Freelancer: WebFX puts freelance website design at $500–$5,000. Quality varies widely, so check portfolios and references.
- Agency: typically $3,000–$100,000 for design and development, according to WebFX. You pay more for a team, a process and accountability.
The right choice depends less on price than on what the website has to do. A site that needs to bring in leads every month deserves more planning than a digital business card.
What drives the price up or down
- Number of pages and templates. Five pages with a shared layout cost far less than fifty unique ones.
- Custom design versus a theme. Custom design takes longer but makes your brand stand out.
- Features. Booking systems, calculators, client portals, multiple languages and integrations all add development time.
- Ecommerce. Product setup, payments, shipping and tax rules add significant work.
- Content. Professional copywriting and photography are often quoted separately, and they matter as much as the design.
- Deadline. Rush timelines usually cost more.
The yearly costs of running a website
WebFX lists these typical running costs:
- Domain name: about $0.99–$40 a year
- Hosting: about $3–$800 a month, depending on traffic and performance needs
- Premium theme: $0–$200
- Plugins: $0–$1,000
- Security tools: $50–$1,000
Most small business sites sit at the lower end of each range. Keeping software updated and backed up is not optional: outdated sites are the most common target for hackers.
WordPress, Shopify or custom code?
- WordPress suits service businesses, blogs and most company websites. Your team can edit pages without a developer.
- Shopify suits online stores, especially when you want reliable checkout and simple management. See our guide to Shopify store costs.
- Custom development (for example PHP and Laravel) suits businesses that need features a template cannot handle, such as portals, dashboards or unusual workflows.
How to get the most for your budget
- Write down the three things the site must achieve, such as leads, bookings or sales, before asking for quotes.
- Ask every agency what is included: content, SEO setup, training and post-launch support.
- Get a written timeline with milestones, and pay in stages tied to them.
- Make sure you own the domain, hosting account and all content from day one.
How Razinio prices websites
Our WordPress websites start at $999 for a five-page business site, and most clients invest $1,500–$6,000. Custom websites and web apps start at $1,999. Every project gets a fixed quote, a written timeline and a 50% to start, 50% at launch payment schedule. Not sure which you need? Book a free 30-minute call and we'll tell you honestly.
Frequently asked questions
Is WordPress cheaper than a custom website?
Usually, yes. WordPress uses an existing system for editing and features, so less has to be built from scratch. Custom development makes sense when you need features a template cannot handle.
What are the yearly costs of a website?
Expect a domain ($1–$40 a year), hosting (from a few dollars a month for small sites), security tools and maintenance. Small business sites often spend a few hundred dollars a year to stay updated and secure.
Should I pay for a website upfront?
A common arrangement is 50% to start and 50% at launch, so payment is tied to progress.