How Much Does a Website Cost for a Small Business in 2026?

One of the first questions I get from small business owners in the Wilmington, Delaware area is "how much is this going to cost me?" It's a fair question, and it deserves a straight answer.

The problem is that most web designers won't give you one. You'll see "starting at" pricing that somehow balloons once the project starts, or you'll be told to "book a consultation" before you can get any idea of cost. I don't think that's right.

So here's an honest breakdown of what a small business website costs in 2026, based on what I charge as a web designer in Wilmington, DE and what I see across the Delaware and Philadelphia area.

The Quick Answer

For a professional, custom-built small business website, you're generally looking at:

$900

A professional one-page starter site

Starting at $2,000

A multi-page business website with lead capture and SEO

Starting at $3,500

Custom features, web applications, or complex projects

Those numbers are what I charge here in Wilmington. Agencies across Delaware, the Philadelphia metro, and the greater Brandywine Valley typically charge more, sometimes significantly more, for similar work.

What Affects the Price

The cost of a website depends on a few things:

Number of pages. A one-page site with your basic info costs less than a five-page site with a portfolio, service descriptions, and a blog.

Custom features. Need a booking system, a calculator, an admin dashboard, or a customer portal? Custom functionality takes more time to build and costs more than a standard informational site.

Design complexity. A clean, modern layout with your branding is standard. Elaborate animations, custom illustrations, or complex interactive elements add to the scope.

Content. Some designers include copywriting in their pricing, others don't. If you need someone to write the text for your site, ask about that upfront.

SEO setup. Basic on-page SEO (proper titles, meta descriptions, clean code) should be included in any professional website. More advanced SEO work like keyword research, content strategy, and ongoing optimization is usually a separate service.

What's Usually Included

When you hire a professional web designer for a business website, you should expect:

Custom design (not a generic template with your logo slapped on it)
Mobile-responsive layout that works on phones, tablets, and desktops
Basic SEO setup so search engines can find and index your site
A contact form that sends inquiries directly to your email
Fast page load speeds
At least one round of revisions

If a designer is quoting you a low price but their "custom" work looks like every other site they've built, ask questions. You might be getting a template.

The Hidden Costs to Watch For

This is where a lot of small business owners get burned:

Monthly maintenance fees. Some designers charge $100 to $300 per month for "maintenance" on a site that doesn't actually need monthly maintenance. Ask what that fee covers. If the answer is vague, be cautious.

Proprietary platforms. If your site is built on a designer's proprietary system, you can't take it with you if you want to leave. Make sure you own your website when the project is done.

Hosting markups. Quality web hosting costs $5 to $20 per month, and platforms like Cloudflare allow you to host most websites for free. I host all of my clients' sites on Cloudflare, so the actual hosting cost is zero. Compare that to platforms like Wix, Squarespace, or GoDaddy that charge $20 to $75 per month - mostly for a drag-and-drop editor you'll probably never touch after launch. You're not paying for hosting, you're paying for the privilege of being locked into their platform.

Ongoing "SEO" fees. SEO is real and it matters, but if someone calls themselves an "SEO expert" and promises to get you to #1 on Google - run. No one can guarantee that, and anyone who claims otherwise is either lying or doesn't understand how search engines work. I use tried-and-true techniques to make your site friendly to both search engines and AI bots, where more and more users are finding their information these days. A well-built website with solid on-page SEO will do a lot of the heavy lifting on its own. If you're looking for more ongoing SEO work beyond the initial build, I'm happy to work with you on that too - but I'll never push a package you don't need.

My Approach to Pricing

Simple, transparent website pricing. No long-term contracts. No surprises. Just clear options that fit your business. You get a fixed price upfront before any work begins - no hourly billing, no surprise add-ons, and no ongoing fees you didn't agree to.

Starter Website | $900

Limited availability.

A clean, professional one-page website designed to get your business online quickly and confidently.

Includes:

One-page custom website (desktop and mobile)
Clean, modern design
Basic on-page SEO
Contact form (messages delivered by email)
One planning meeting (Zoom or in-person in the Wilmington, DE area) to review goals, layout, and content
One revision round included

Ongoing costs (paid directly by you):

Domain name: approximately $11/year
Hosting: $0/year (hosted on Cloudflare)

Best for: Small businesses, local service providers, and solo owners who want a professional online presence without a large upfront investment. Additional revisions or features can be added if needed.

Business Website | Starting at $2,000

Final pricing depends on scope, number of pages, and features.

A multi-page website built to convert visitors into customers and support long-term growth.

Includes:

3-5 custom pages
Conversion-focused layout
Enhanced SEO setup
Contact forms and lead routing
One planning session plus ongoing collaboration during the build
Unlimited revisions for up to 30 days

Best for: Established or growing businesses that want to compete online, clearly present their services, and generate consistent leads.

Custom Projects & Advanced Websites | Starting at $3,500

For businesses that need more than a standard website. Final pricing depends on complexity, integrations, and scope.

Examples:

Custom forms or workflows
Database-driven content
Internal tools or dashboards
Advanced integrations
Multi-location or complex service structures
Higher-volume lead handling

Best for: Businesses with specific requirements that need custom solutions and hands-on technical support.

Every project includes a planning session, mobile-responsive design, SEO setup, and revisions. You own the final product. No lock-in, no monthly fees for basic hosting.

If you want to see the full pricing breakdown, it's right on my homepage.

The Bottom Line

A good small business website is an investment, not an expense. It should bring you customers, not just look nice. The right price depends on what you need, but you should never feel pressured into buying more than what's necessary to hit your goals.

If you're a small business owner in Wilmington, Newark, the Brandywine Valley, or anywhere in the Delaware and Philadelphia area and you're thinking about a new website or a redesign, reach out and I'll give you an honest assessment of what your project needs and what it'll cost. No pressure, no obligation.