Let’s skip the fluff. Here’s what a legit small business website actually costs in 2025 — not the fairy‑tale package with “strategy workshops” you never asked for.
The Short Answer
- Build: $0–$5,000 upfront depending on who you hire and how bold your scope is. With us: $0 upfront, pay only if you love it.
- Hosting: $20–$60/mo for proper speed, backups, and security. Ours is $29/mo.
- Care/Updates: $0–$300/mo depending on how often you change content and how much you value proactive maintenance.
If someone’s quoting $15k+ for a basic brochure site in 2025, they’re selling theatre. Building isn’t hard anymore — building something that converts is.
Where the Money Goes (And Where It Shouldn’t)
Worth paying for
- Conversion‑focused design and copy that sells
- Performance (Core Web Vitals), accessibility, mobile‑first
- Clear tracking: form submissions, calls, bookings, revenue where possible
- Clean build you can expand later (not a CMS mess)
Skip the padding
- Week‑long brand workshops for a 5‑page site
- Ten rounds of committee revisions
- Custom frameworks when a fast stack already exists
AI Changed the Equation (For the Better)
Smart teams use AI to draft copy, generate variations, and pressure‑test headlines fast. That means fewer billable hours and better results. If your quote still reads like 2018 agency time sheets, run.
Hosting in 2025: What “Good” Looks Like
- SSL, CDN, and daily backups with 30‑day retention
- DDoS protection and 99.9% uptime
- Fast edge delivery in Australia
Cheap hosts cut corners here. That’s how you end up slow, hacked, or down.
Care Plans: Optional, but Smart
If your site never changes, fine — keep hosting only. If you run offers, add pages, or want proactive SEO tweaks and reporting, a care plan saves you money and stress over ad‑hoc fixes.
Our Numbers (So You Can Compare Apples)
- Build: $0 upfront; pay only if you love it
- One‑time on approval: $499 for the build
- Hosting: $29/mo (infrastructure only)
- Care Plans: $99–$199/mo depending on how hands‑on you want us
Red Flags in Quotes
- Vague “strategy” items with big price tags
- CMS bloat you don’t need (when a static site is faster and safer)
- No mention of tracking, performance, or accessibility
- Long lock‑in contracts for hosting/support
Bottom Line
In 2025, a small business website should be fast, simple, and built to sell — without clown fees. Pay for outcomes, not theatre. If you want the no‑BS version, we’ll build yours free first, then you decide.
