Small business website guide

How Much Does a New Website Cost in 2026?

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Quick Answer

A new website typically costs between $100 and $50,000+, depending on the route you take. A DIY builder runs about $0–$50/month, a freelancer usually charges $500–$5,000 one-off, and an agency $3,000–$50,000+. On top of the build you'll pay ongoing costs for a domain, hosting, and maintenance. If you already have a website, improving it instead of rebuilding is far cheaper — Amberjack does this for $9/month, hosting and updates included.

Key takeaways

  • New website cost splits into a one-time build cost plus ongoing running costs — don't judge price on the build alone.
  • DIY builder: ~$0–$50/month. Freelancer: ~$500–$5,000. Agency: ~$3,000–$50,000+.
  • Budget for a domain, hosting, and maintenance every year, whichever route you choose.
  • If you already have a site, improving it from $9/month with Amberjack is usually the cheapest path of all.

What you're actually paying for

A website price has two parts that often get mixed up: the one-time cost to design and build it, and the ongoing cost to keep it online and current. A cheap build with expensive hosting and maintenance can cost more over two years than a pricier build that's cheaper to run. Always compare the total over time, not just the upfront number.

Price by option (2026)

  • DIY website builder (Wix, Squarespace, WordPress.com): roughly $0–$50/month. Cheapest in cash, but you invest your own time to build and maintain it.
  • Freelancer: roughly $500–$5,000 one-off for a small business site. Good middle ground; quality and reliability vary.
  • Agency / custom build: roughly $3,000–$50,000+. Highest quality for complex, custom needs; slowest and most expensive.
  • Improve an existing site (Amberjack): $14/month or $108/year, hosting and updates included — because you reuse the content and rankings you already have.

The ongoing costs people forget

  • Domain name: ~$10–20 per year.
  • Hosting: ~$3–30 per month (often bundled with builders).
  • Maintenance and updates: hours of your time, or a retainer, on self-managed platforms like WordPress.
  • Add-ons: premium themes, plugins, stock photos, and email can quietly add up.

How to decide what to spend

Use a builder or improve your existing site for simple business needs; reserve agency or freelancer budgets for custom or complex projects. The most common mistake is paying agency prices for a rebuild when the current site just needed improving.

The cheaper alternative if you already have a site

If you already have a website, you usually don't need to pay for a new one at all. Improving the site you have keeps your content and Google rankings, avoids a multi-week rebuild, and costs a fraction of the price. Amberjack does exactly this for $9/month — hosting and regular updates included, no setup fee, no agency invoice. Building brand-new pages from scratch is coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a new website cost?

The cost depends on scope and who does the work. A DIY builder usually charges a recurring subscription; a freelancer or agency adds professional service fees; and custom functionality increases the price. Compare the total cost of setup, domain, hosting, maintenance, and your own time—not just the advertised starting price.

Why is there such a big price range?

Because website covers everything from a one-page DIY site to a large custom build. The difference is how much is done for you and how custom it is.

What are the ongoing costs of a website?

Common ongoing costs include:

  • Domain
  • Hosting
  • Software or plugins
  • Maintenance
  • Security
  • Content updates

Prices vary by provider and scope. A managed plan may bundle several of these, while a self-managed platform can require more of your own time.

Is a cheap website worth it?

Yes, if it's still clear, fast, mobile-friendly, and secure. Cheap only hurts when it skips those basics.

How much does a website cost per month?

Monthly costs vary widely by platform and features. Amberjack costs $7 per month on the two-year plan, $9 per month on the annual plan, or $14 month-to-month. Hosting, maintenance, and regular updates are included.

Do I need to pay for a new website if I already have one?

Often you can improve the website you already have instead of paying for a complete rebuild. Reusing useful content can save time and money, while retaining important URLs and information can reduce SEO disruption.

What's the cheapest way to get a business website?

If you are starting from scratch, a free or low-cost builder can minimize cash cost but still requires your time. If you already have a website, Amberjack can redesign it from $7 per month on the two-year plan, with hosting, maintenance, and updates included.

Are there hidden costs?

Often: premium themes, plugins, stock images, email, and maintenance time. Ask for the total yearly cost, not just the build price.

Related pages

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