It’s one of the first questions every small business owner asks, and one of the hardest to get a straight answer to. Quotes for the same five-page website can range from a few hundred dollars to well over ten thousand. Here’s what actually drives the price, and what you should expect to pay.
The short answer
As a general guide for a small business website in Australia:
| Option | Upfront | Ongoing |
|---|---|---|
| DIY website builder (Wix, Squarespace and similar) | Your time | Around $20 to $60 a month |
| Freelancer or small studio | Roughly $500 to $3,000 | Hosting and care, often $20 to $100 a month |
| Agency | Usually $5,000 to $15,000+ | Hosting, updates and changes often billed separately |
These are rough ranges, not hard rules. A bigger site, an online store or custom features will push any of them up.
What you’re actually paying for
1. Design and build
This is the work to plan your pages, design how the site looks, and build it so it works properly on phones, tablets and computers. A custom design made for your business costs more than dropping your logo into a template, but it’s also what makes you look established rather than generic.
2. The number of pages
Most small businesses need around five pages: home, about, services, contact, and one more such as a gallery or reviews. Each extra page adds design and writing time, which is why many web designers charge per page beyond a set number.
3. Words and images
If you can supply your own text and photos, you’ll save money. Copywriting, stock photos or a photo shoot are often extras.
4. Features
Online bookings, selling products, member areas and integrations with other software all add cost. A simple enquiry form is usually included.
5. Hosting and care
Every website needs somewhere to live (hosting) and regular care: software updates, backups, security checks and small changes. Some providers bundle this into one monthly fee; others leave it to you or bill by the hour. Ask about it upfront, because it’s where surprise costs tend to appear.
Why agencies cost so much more
Agencies aren’t necessarily overcharging. They carry overheads like offices, account managers, project managers and sales teams, and their clients pay for those layers. For a large business with complex needs that can be worth it. For a tradie, café or local service business that needs a professional five-page website, it often isn’t.
Questions to ask before you sign
- What exactly is included, and how many pages?
- What will I pay each month after launch, and what does that cover?
- Who do I contact when something needs changing, and is that included?
- Will the site be fast, secure and set up for Google?
- How long will it take?
What we charge
We keep it simple. A custom website with up to 5 pages is a one-off set-up fee from $549, with extra pages at $99 each. After launch, hosting and care is $29 a month, which covers hosting, updates, backups, security checks, speed and SEO care, and small changes.
Already have a website? Before you spend anything, run our free website check. It shows what’s working, what isn’t, and whether a refresh or a rebuild makes more sense.