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How much does a website cost for a small business in 2026?

Published October 23, 2026 · By House Media Studio

If you are shopping for a website, you have probably seen quotes ranging from almost nothing to several thousand dollars. There is a reason for that gap. This guide helps you understand what you are paying for and how to compare quotes with confidence.

The short answer

There is no single price, because "a website" can mean anything from a one-page business presentation to a full online store with custom features. The price depends mostly on three things: how much you will show (the scope), how custom the design is, and who provides the content, meaning the copy, photos and video.

Three levels of website

• Basic presence. A single page, a digital menu or a digital card: the essentials to exist online and be contacted.
• Professional site. Several pages, custom design, built to sell and to show up on Google.
• Platform with features. Online store, bookings, systems, multiple languages or custom interaction.

What drives the price up or down

• Number of pages. One page is not the same as six, with services, about and contact.
• Custom design vs. template. A design built around your business takes more work than adapting a template.
• Copy, photos and video. If you already have them, the project moves faster; if they must be produced, it adds up.
• Interaction and features. Quote tools, forms with logic, bookings or special animations.
• Online store. Catalog, cart, payments and inventory are a separate part of the project.
• Languages. A site in English and Spanish means writing and reviewing everything twice.
• Brand. If you do not have a logo or identity yet, it is best to solve that first or together with the site.

Template or custom design?

A template is cheaper and faster, but it looks like many others and is limited in showing what makes you different. Custom design costs more, but it is built around your business, your audience and what you want visitors to do. If your website is key to selling or to standing next to bigger competitors, custom is worth it.

Costs beyond design

Besides the initial project, a website has recurring costs you should ask about from the start: the domain (the address, like yourbusiness.com), the hosting where the site lives, and maintenance or changes after launch. Always ask what is included, what is paid separately and how often.

How to compare quotes

Two quotes with different prices almost never include the same thing. Before deciding, ask:

• How many pages and which features are included, exactly?
• Does it look and work well on phones?
• How many revision rounds do I get?
• Are copy and photos included, or do I provide them?
• How long does it take and what do you need from me?
• What happens after launch? Who makes changes and what does it cost?
• How does payment work and when?

Common mistakes when hiring a website

• Choosing only by the lowest price without checking what is included.
• Not having a clear goal: do you want messages, bookings or sales?
• Not preparing content (photos, copy, logo) and delaying the project.
• Leaving mobile for last, when most visits come from phones.
• Launching and forgetting, with nobody to maintain and update the site.

Which one fits your case

• You only want to show a menu or catalog: a digital menu with a QR code.
• You are starting and need a presence fast: a landing page.
• You want to explain your services and build trust: a multi-page website.
• You are launching or renewing your business: brand plus website in one project, which costs less than separately.

How we do it at House Media

We work with clear pricing from day one: digital menu from USD 250, landing page from USD 650, website from USD 1,200 and brand plus website from USD 1,600. It is a one-time fee per project, with 50% to start, and every project closes with a proposal covering scope, dates and price. You can see the details in the Packages section of the site.

Not sure which one is yours? Tell us about your business and we will send a proposal with scope, dates and a fixed price.

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