Four common ways to build a small business website
You choose a template, write the copy, configure the pages, and handle updates. The cash price may start low, but the business owner supplies the time and troubleshooting.
A freelancer usually charges for the initial build. Hosting, maintenance, content updates, and future redesigns may be separate.
An agency may provide strategy, copy, design, development, and broader marketing. This fits larger scopes but commonly carries a larger upfront commitment.
A recurring plan combines the build with hosting, maintenance, and support. Confirm the exact scope, ownership terms, edit allowance, and cancellation policy before subscribing.
Representative public prices checked in August 2026
This is a dated sample of public prices from six provider-owned pages, not an industry average. These are not equivalent services: some prices cover software or hosting that the owner operates, while others include people who build or help maintain the site. Taxes, location, promotions, renewal terms, add-ons, and owner time can change the total.
| Approach and provider | Public price observed | What that price means |
|---|---|---|
| One-page DIY software — Carrd Pro | Pro Standard: $19/year | Software for up to 10 sites with custom domains, SSL, forms, embeds, analytics, and meta tags. The owner still supplies the design, copy, setup, and updates. |
| Hosted DIY builder — WordPress.com | Personal: $4/month when billed yearly; $9 month to month | Hosted website software with 6 GB storage and a one-year domain offer on the displayed plan. Building and maintaining the content remains the customer’s job. |
| Visual site builder — Webflow | Basic site plan: $15/month billed yearly | Hosting for a simple custom-domain site without a CMS, with listed bandwidth and form features. Design and content work are separate. |
| Business site platform — Duda | Basic: $19/month billed annually or $25 month to month | A website-builder platform. The displayed platform price does not by itself mean a professional has designed, written, or routinely updated the site. |
| Introductory web hosting — SiteGround | StartUp: $2.99/month prepaid for 12 months; renews at $17.99/month | Hosting with SSL and daily backups listed. The introductory rate and renewal rate differ, and website creation or ongoing content work may still be separate. |
| Managed website service — Jottful | $99 build offer plus plans starting at $65/month | The provider says the build offer covers up to five pages and is time-limited after a free sample; its regular first-five-page build price is shown as $499. Hosting, SSL, and human update help are listed. |
How we built this representative price sample
- We opened provider-owned pricing or offer pages directly rather than relying on search snippets or third-party roundups.
- We sampled distinct approaches: one-page software, hosted builders, visual platforms, introductory hosting, and a human-supported managed service.
- We recorded billing cadence, introductory or renewal conditions, and the work the business owner still has to supply.
- We did not calculate an “average,” rank a cheapest option, or claim that unlike scopes produce equivalent results.
Prices are a point-in-time reference, not a quote or endorsement. For the responsibility behind recurring costs, read what website hosting and maintenance actually include.
What should a website quote include?
Do not compare only the headline price. Ask whether the quote includes the costs and responsibilities below.
| Cost area | Question to ask |
|---|---|
| Design and build | Is there an upfront design or setup fee? |
| Hosting and SSL | Who keeps the site online and the connection secure? |
| Mobile experience | Is the page designed and tested for phones? |
| Content changes | Who updates hours, services, photos, and copy? |
| Search basics | Are titles, descriptions, crawlability, and structured page content included? |
| Domain and email | Are registration and business email separate? |
| Cancellation | What happens to the hosted site if monthly service ends? |
What the $99 monthly plan includes
The standard 99 Dollar Websites plan is intentionally narrow: one polished page that helps a local customer understand the business, trust it, and take the next step.
- Custom one-page website
- Managed hosting and SSL
- Mobile-responsive design
- Daily source backups retained for 30 days
- Phone, map, hours, services, and contact actions as appropriate
- Basic technical SEO
- Cookie-free aggregate analytics
- One basic content-update request per month, generally up to 30 minutes of work
- One initial direction and up to two pre-launch revision rounds
- Domain connection and launch support
- Ongoing email support
Is a monthly website plan right for your business?
A managed plan can be a practical fit if you want a professional web presence without managing hosting, software, security certificates, or routine updates yourself. It may not fit if you need a large content library, online store, custom software, or an advanced ongoing search campaign.
Before choosing any provider, verify the scope, recurring price, cancellation terms, domain control, support channel, and what happens when you request a change.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a small business website cost?
Pricing varies by approach. DIY builders add software and owner time; freelancers and agencies often charge an upfront project fee plus ongoing hosting or maintenance. The 99 Dollar Websites standard plan is $99 per month plus applicable tax with no upfront design fee.
What is included in a $99 per month website?
The standard plan includes one custom conversion-focused page, hosting, SSL, mobile design, daily source backups retained for 30 days, contact actions, basic technical SEO, cookie-free aggregate analytics, one basic content-update request per month generally up to 30 minutes, domain connection, launch support, and ongoing email support.
Are domain registration and business email included?
No. Domain registration and business email are separate unless agreed otherwise. We help connect a domain the customer owns.
Do I pay before seeing the website?
No. You can request and review a tailored direction first. Payment is required only if you choose to claim and launch it.
How quickly can I see a preview?
A first direction is usually ready within two to three business days after your business details are confirmed.
What happens if I cancel?
Future renewal billing stops after cancellation, and the hosted site may be unpublished after the paid period. After six consecutive full-price qualifying monthly payments, an account in good standing may request the optional $499 buyout, but transfer requires a separate signed assignment.
Who is the standard website plan best for?
The standard plan is designed for owner-operated local service businesses that need one clear page for services, location or service area, trust information, and a direct call, booking link, estimate request, or contact action. It is not designed for e-commerce, a large content library, custom booking software, or complex integrations.
What does basic technical SEO include?
Basic technical SEO includes descriptive page titles and meta descriptions, crawlable semantic content, a canonical URL, mobile-responsive delivery, and appropriate structured data when business facts are verified. It does not include ongoing content production, link building, paid advertising, ranking guarantees, or an advanced SEO campaign.
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