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How Much Does a Small Business Website Cost in 2026?

Short answer: anywhere from a few dollars a month for a do-it-yourself builder to several thousand dollars upfront for a custom site from an agency. Here's what each option really costs, what's usually left out of the quote, and how to pick.

Last reviewed October 2026. Third-party figures are linked to their sources; Hively's price is our own published plan.

The quick comparison

1. Hiring a web design agency or studio

An agency gives you a custom design, a project manager and someone accountable for the result. That's also why it's the most expensive route. According to Lindo's State of Web Design Agencies in the United States 2026, which aggregates pricing from US agencies, the median 5-page small business site costs $3,850, the 25th percentile is $2,200 and the 90th percentile is $7,500. A 1-page starter site had a median of $1,200, and a 10+ page site a median of $8,500. The same report puts the median agency hourly rate at $125.

Agency projects usually start with a deposit, and the build typically takes weeks because of discovery calls, proposals and review rounds.

2. Hiring a freelancer

Freelancers are often cheaper than agencies, but prices vary widely with experience and location. GoodFirms' 2026 survey found that US, UK and Canadian providers mostly bill $50 to $100 an hour. Ask any freelancer what happens after launch: who hosts the site, who makes changes, and what each change costs.

3. Building it yourself

Website builders like Wix and Squarespace have the lowest cash cost. On Squarespace's pricing page, the Basic plan is $25 a month, or $19 a month billed annually, and Core is $39 a month, or $29 billed annually. Hosting and SSL are included.

The hidden cost is your time. You choose the template, write every page, source the photos, set up the SEO basics, and keep it all up to date. For an owner who would rather be working on the business, those hours cost more than the subscription.

4. A done-for-you monthly plan

A monthly website plan, sometimes called a website subscription or pay-monthly website, spreads the cost of design, hosting and upkeep into one flat fee. You don't pay a large bill upfront, and you can usually cancel. Hively's plan is:

$0 upfront. Pay through PayPal only after you approve your site. No contract, cancel anytime in PayPal.

Unlike most agencies, we build first: you get a private preview within 48 hours and pay only if you approve it. Read more about how pay-monthly websites work.

Costs that are easy to miss

• Hosting and SSL. Often billed separately by freelancers and agencies. Included in builder plans and in Hively's plan.
• Your domain name. A yearly fee to a domain registrar. Make sure the domain is registered in your name, whoever builds your site.
• Changes after launch. Updating prices, hours, photos or services. Agencies usually bill these hourly or through a care plan. Hively includes 1 free edit a month, and extras are $25.
• Content. Copywriting and photography can add to an agency quote. With Hively you can supply your own text or have us write it, and use your own photos or stock images.
• Online stores. E-commerce costs more on every route. Lindo's 2026 median for an e-commerce build was $11,000.

Upfront build vs monthly plan: a simple example

Take a 5-page site. At the agency median of $3,850 plus a $249/month care plan (both from Lindo's 2026 report), the first year costs about $6,838. Hively's 5-Page Website plan is $69.99 a month (normally $99.99), which is $839.88 in the first year, with hosting included and $0 upfront. Over a longer period, add up the totals for your own situation, including hosting and the cost of changes, before you decide.

How to choose

• Choose an agency if you need custom features, complex integrations or a large site, and you have the budget.
• Choose a DIY builder if you enjoy design, have the time and want the lowest cash cost.
• Choose a monthly plan if you want a professional site quickly, without a big upfront bill or learning a builder.

Common questions

*Pending your approval and any revision requests.