Learn how much a small business website really costs in 2025. Compare DIY, builders, freelancers, agencies, and Amplify plus see what’s actually worth paying for.
A small business website in 2025 can cost anywhere from $0 to over $15,000 depending on who builds it, what’s included, and how it’s maintained.
This guide breaks down exactly what you’re paying for and shows why the best ROI might not come from the highest price.
🎯 Bonus: We’ll show you how Amplify builds your entire website free. Custom-designed, SEO-optimized, mobile-ready.
Why Pricing Is So All Over the Place
Website costs vary wildly because people bundle different things together:
Some charge for only design
Others include SEO, analytics, CRM, or hosting
Most skip over mobile UX, page speed, schema, and support
That’s why comparing pricing is confusing and why we built this transparent guide.
Website Cost Breakdown by Method
Method | Launch Cost | Monthly | 1-Year Total | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
DIY (WordPress) | $150–$500 | $10–$30 | ~$500–$800 | Theme, hosting, plugins |
Website Builder | $0–$300 | $12–$40 | ~$300–$800 | Templates, hosting |
Freelancer (Overseas) | $400–$1,200 | Varies | ~$600–$1,500 | Limited SEO or support |
Freelancer (US-Based) | $1,000–$3,000 | Varies | ~$1,500–$4,000 | Custom design, limited tech |
Agency | $3,500–$10,000+ | $500+/mo | $5,000–$15,000+ | Full package—but costly |
Amplify | $0 upfront | $59–$119 | $708–$1,428/year | Custom design, SEO, speed, support, hosting |
What Are You Actually Buying?
Feature | DIY | Builder | Freelancer | Agency | Amplify |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Custom Design | ❌ | ⚠️ Template | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
SEO Optimization | ❌ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ |
Mobile Optimization | ⚠️ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ |
Schema Markup | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ⚠️ | ✅ |
Analytics Setup | ❌ | ⚠️ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Speed Optimization | ❌ | ⚠️ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Support / Maintenance | ❌ | ⚠️ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Cost vs Value: What Gets You ROI?
Let’s be honest. Most small businesses don’t need a $10,000 website.
What they really need:
A site that loads fast
Looks trustworthy
Ranks on Google
Works on mobile
Collects leads
Doesn’t break
💡 That’s what Amplify delivers at the price of a basic hosting plan.
Hidden Costs Most People Miss
❌ Paying extra for mobile responsiveness
❌ Template fatigue (your site looks like everyone else’s)
❌ Developers charging hourly for minor fixes
❌ No speed testing or schema means Google ignores you
❌ Cheap sites that break within 6 months
Choose Based on Your Business Stage
Stage | Best Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
Starting From Scratch | Amplify or DIY | Budget-sensitive, get live fast |
Scaling Solo Biz | Amplify or Freelancer | SEO + credibility without bloat |
Funded Startup | Amplify or Agency | Growth focus, speed, trust |
Local Business | Amplify | Local SEO + mobile + GMB built-in |
Creator Portfolio | Builder or Amplify | Visual design or fast done-for-you |
What Makes Amplify Different?
Amplify is not a website builder. It’s a done-for-you platform.
We custom-design, optimize, and launch your site for free.
You only pay if you want to keep it online.
Included in your plan:
✅ Custom Design (no templates)
✅ Hosting + Domain Setup
✅ Mobile & Speed Optimization
✅ Schema, Meta, SEO
✅ Analytics + Contact Form + GMB
✅ Full 24/7 Support
✅ Fast turnarounds
Starting at just $80/month. No contracts. No risks.
❓ FAQ
Q: What’s the average cost for a small business website in 2025?
Typically between $500–$5,000 depending on who builds it and what’s included.
Q: Can I build it myself for free?
Yes, but expect tradeoffs in SEO, trust, design, and time.
Q: Is Amplify really free to build?
Yes—we build it free. You only pay if you want to keep it online (monthly hosting/management).
Q: What do I lose by going cheap?
Usually speed, SEO, mobile polish, and support. These affect trust and rankings.
Q: What’s the smartest value?
Amplify balances cost, speed, SEO, and polish for less than most freelancers charge for one revision.
Final Verdict
Don’t pay for “web design.”
Pay for trust. Pay for speed. Pay for results.
That’s what a website is for.
🎯 Want to skip the guesswork?
👉 Let Amplify build your site free →
