The Average Cost of Website Design for Small Businesses

Each of these considerations plays a significant role in determining the final cost of your website design investment. Let’s elaborate.

1. Size and Scope

Probably the most important consideration of your investment is the size and scope of the project. A simple, five-page site for a local mom-and-pop business is going to cost less than an extensive, 80-page site for a larger small business or corporation. The more pages and features you require, the greater the investment to have your site designed and produced.

2. Customization

A very important consideration is the level of customization required. Having specific notions about how you want your site to look and function requires more time (and money) to bring them to life. Conversely, if you’re working with a web designer who has standard pricing plans that meet your needs, the overall investment will be significantly lower.

3. Experience

The web designer's overall experience can and will affect your investment. It stands to reason that a design professional with years of experience will charge more than a recent graduate just starting in the industry. Having said that, experience doesn’t always equate to quality, so be sure to review examples of the designer’s work and check their reviews before making a decision. All things being equal, a rapport with a designer who understands your vision is priceless.

4. Number of Pages

As stated above, the number of pages needed is an important consideration. Although most small business websites have between 5 and 20 pages, the exact number depends on your business type and the amount and type of content your site needs to ensure your information is expressed properly.

5. Complexity

The complexity of the design is also a factor in determining your investment. A simple site with the essential elements is going to cost less than a complex website with interactive elements, custom graphics, complex web forms, and e-commerce capabilities offering an online shop.

6. Custom Photography vs. Stock Images

The use of custom photos at a fraction of the cost of hiring a photographer, rather than stock images, is another important consideration. Stock images are available online and can be used for a fraction of the cost of hiring a photographer to take custom photos. Free stock photography is available and, in many cases, will suffice nicely. However, if you want your site to have a unique look and feel, custom photography very well may be worth the investment.

7. Support and Maintenance

The need for support and ongoing maintenance is another important consideration. You’ll need to budget for ongoing maintenance costs if you plan to update your website regularly. Additionally, support for troubleshooting issues or implementing large-scale changes to your website will impact the cost.

8. Location

The location of the business is a serious consideration and can work to your advantage in controlling the costs. With a web design firm in a large city, you’ll likely pay more than if you’re working with someone in a smaller town. Designers in larger cities usually have higher overhead and thus charge more. You can get a real bargain by working with a seasoned professional who now runs their firm in a small town, primarily focusing on small businesses. We operate from Brooksville, FL, the quintessential small town. I’ve been in the web design business since its inception and focus on small businesses and non-profit organizations.

9. Target Audience

The target audience is another important factor to consider. If you’re targeting a local market, you’ll likely have lower overall costs than if you’re targeting a national or international market. This is because targeting people who are searching for local businesses is easier, and ranking for local search is less expensive and offers many more affordable SEO options than competing on a national or international scale.

10. Urgency and Timing

The urgency and timing of your project can also affect your cost. If you need your site designed and produced quickly, your project will be considered a rush job. It will likely have to be inserted into the queue of jobs already in the pipeline, which will mean paying staff for overtime or putting contractors on your job, increasing costs and logistics. For that, you’ll likely have to pay a premium. Alternatively, if you’re willing to wait you very well may get a better price.