How Much Does a Website Cost in 2026? Real Numbers.

If you've Googled "how much does a website cost," you've probably seen answers like "anywhere from $500 to $500,000 depending on your needs." Thanks, very helpful.

I'm a developer who builds websites for small businesses. Let me give you actual numbers.

The Quick Answer

For a small business in 2026, here's what you're realistically looking at:

• Simple 5-page website: $2,500 - $5,000
• Business website (10-15 pages, forms, blog): $5,000 - $15,000
• E-commerce store: $10,000 - $30,000
• Custom web application: $15,000 - $50,000+

Those are real ranges for quality work from experienced developers or small agencies. Not offshore Fiverr gigs, not enterprise agencies that charge $200/hour.

Why Such a Wide Range?

A "website" can mean vastly different things. Let me break it down:

A $2,500 Website

This gets you:

• 5 pages (Home, About, Services, Contact, maybe a FAQ)
• Mobile-responsive design
• Basic SEO setup
• Contact form
• Fast, clean code

This is perfect for: restaurants, local service businesses, solo professionals who just need an online presence.

A $5,000 - $15,000 Website

This gets you everything above, plus:

• Custom design (not a template)
• More pages and sections
• Blog functionality
• CRM integration
• Multiple forms with different purposes
• Analytics setup
• Some content writing help

This is what most growing businesses need.

A $15,000+ Website

Now we're talking about:

• User accounts and logins
• Payment processing
• Custom functionality specific to your business
• Admin dashboards
• Third-party integrations
• More complex databases

This is a web application, not just a website.

What Drives the Price Up

These things will increase your cost:

• Custom design vs. template: A completely custom design costs more than adapting an existing template. Sometimes 2-3x more.
• Complex integrations: Connecting to your CRM, inventory system, or payment processor takes time.
• E-commerce: Product catalogs, shopping carts, payment processing, inventory management - each adds complexity.
• User accounts: Login systems, profiles, and personalized dashboards are significant additions.
• Content creation: If you need copywriting, photography, or video production included.
• Rush delivery: Need it in 2 weeks instead of 6? Expect to pay a premium.

What Keeps the Price Down

Want to stay on the lower end of these ranges?

• Clear requirements: Know what you want before we start. Changing direction mid-project is expensive.
• Provide your own content: Text, images, and logos ready to go saves hours of back-and-forth.
• Fewer custom features: Use proven solutions instead of reinventing the wheel.
• Reasonable timeline: Rushed projects cost more.
• Start with MVP: Launch with core features first, add more later.

The DIY Options

I'd be lying if I didn't mention these. You can build a website yourself for much less:

• Squarespace/Wix: $12-40/month. Good for very simple sites if you're willing to spend time learning the platform.
• Shopify: $29-299/month. Good for e-commerce if your needs are standard.
• WordPress.com: $4-45/month. More flexibility, steeper learning curve.

These work for some businesses. They don't work if you need:

• Custom functionality
• Specific integrations with your business tools
• Professional performance optimization
• A design that doesn't look like everyone else's
• Someone else to handle the technical stuff

Hidden Costs to Budget For

Your website isn't a one-time purchase. Budget for:

• Domain name: $10-50/year
• Hosting: $5-100/month depending on traffic
• SSL certificate: Often free with hosting, sometimes $50-200/year
• Email hosting: $5-20/user/month for professional email
• Maintenance: Updates, security patches, backups. $50-500/month depending on complexity.
• Content updates: Unless you're updating it yourself

Red Flags When Hiring

Watch out for these warning signs:

• No portfolio: If they can't show you previous work, run.
• "$200 for a complete website": You get what you pay for. This is either offshore work, a template with your logo slapped on, or someone who will disappear after payment.
• No contract: Always get scope, timeline, and payment terms in writing.
• You don't own the code: Some developers hold your site hostage. Make sure you own what you pay for.
• No maintenance plan: If they won't discuss ongoing support, you'll be stuck when something breaks.

The Bottom Line

For most small businesses, a professional website costs between $5,000 and $15,000. That's not cheap, but it's an investment in your business that can pay for itself many times over.

A good website brings in customers, builds trust, and saves you time. A bad website (or no website) costs you opportunities every day.

If you want to talk specifics for your situation, reach out. No sales pitch, just straight answers about what you need and what it'll cost.