Other hosted platforms like Content Hub and providers like SiteGround require you to purchase a domain from a third-party domain registrar like GoDaddy or Namecheap. To get started with a website for your small business, you’ll need a domain name and web hosting. The cost of a domain is usually around $14.99 per year, and web hosting is around $7.99 per month. Put them together, and you’re looking at $110.87 per year as the total cost to build a website.
Option 2: Hire Freelancers (Upwork, Fiverr)
It includes the look of the website and the functionality, such as e-commerce and contact forms. Wix provides a free domain for the first year with annual plans, but renewal costs apply thereafter. Explore a detailed 2025 comparison of Webflow, Wix Studio, Squarespace, WordPress, Framer, and Shopify. Learn about cost, ease of use, ecommerce features, and more to choose the best platform for your needs.
Explore plans, pricing and features here. ?
Stick to five to 10 plugins for websites using shared hosting, and up to 30 for websites using VPS or dedicated hosting. WordPress, for example, is a CMS that’s known for plugins, and it has a library of around 60,000. If you’re using a website builder or a CMS, you might want to integrate additional software into your site. Registrars have a search bar, where you can check to see if the domain you want is free, and how much it costs. If your chosen domain isn’t free, you’ll usually be suggested alternatives.
Additional Costs for Building a Website
- This can make your website seem unprofessional to customers, and is not an option I’d recommend for long-term use.
- I’ve personally seen agencies charge clients well over $1,500 to add text and change out stock images on a template, and even one agency that used the same template for every client.
- It provides more technical freedom, and effectively gives you control over every aspect, though its complexity can mean common website mistakes are made.
- It depends on your website’s size and complexity, the hourly rates of the professional, and the ongoing maintenance and support.
- But how much does it really cost to build a website on Wix Studio in 2025?
- Platforms that include certified design experts are also helpful in case you need to hire help later.
AI-generated images are another option, although Middle Web Designer job it’s important to know that copyright, privacy, and usage rules vary quite a bit by AI platform. If you want your small business website to include an online store, you need a site-building platform that supports ecommerce. Nardelli noted that although Squarespace is an affordable way to build a website, some users may find it a bit technical. If you’re not especially tech-savvy, she suggests using an agency or choosing user-friendly builders such as Wix or WordPress, which offer cost-effective and accessible options. Website builders are primarily web-based and use some form of visual builder.
Although the hosting cost is the highest, a dedicated server offers the most resources and endless customization. If you don’t have the required experience or simply don’t want to go through the hassle of hosting your own website, there Web development are a ton of fully managed services to pick from. The free plan offers free themes, pre-installed SSL and 1 GB of storage space. UX, or user experience, is the process where the designer focuses on providing users with the best experience. If done correctly, users will find navigating the site easy, enjoyable and relevant to them. Ensuring your site’s UX is top-notch will encourage users to explore more of it.
While this gives you total creative control, it’s not as accessible or intuitive to use as a website builder, so I’d only recommend this route if you have prior building experience. Besides using website builders, you can also get a domain name from a registrar, such as GoDaddy or Domain.com. And don’t worry if you need to switch builders or platforms down the line – you can take your domain name with you. Building a website is one of the best ways to grow your online presence and share your work with the world, and modern website builders make it easier than ever to get a site live.
What type of website do I need for business?
But website builders are designed to take care of the more complex parts of web development so that users with any level of experience can get online. With over 500 design templates and packed with features, Wix has three price plans. With a website builder – There are no website maintenance costs for you to take care of, as the cost of maintaining your site’s functionality is built into your plan. If you’re building a business website, you’ll want the room to grow.