DIY
A builder like Wix or Squarespace is inexpensive, but you design it, write it, and maintain it. The cost is your time, and the site is never yours.
Compare website options
What a small business website actually costs.
The right choice depends on budget, time, desired control, and how much work you want to handle yourself. These ranges are approximate and individual providers vary.
Here is how the options compare side by side.
Freelancer
Good freelancers do excellent work, usually for $1,500–$3,000 up front. Hosting, copy, and updates are typically separate, and support depends on their availability.
Agency
Agencies deliver polished results with a team behind them, at $3,000–$10,000+ plus a retainer. For most small businesses it is more than the job requires.
| Comparison | Pine State Creative | DIY | Freelancer | Agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year-one total | $199–$899 annual · $228–$1,068 monthly | About $204–$556 | About $1,740–$4,200+ | About $5,400–$16,000+ |
| Upfront | $0 | $0–$16 | $1,500–$3,000 | $3,000–$10,000+ |
| Monthly | $19–$89 | $17–$45 | $20–$100 hosting | $200–$500+ retainer |
| Who builds it | ✓We do | ×You do | ✓Freelancer | ✓Agency team |
| Custom design | ✓Yes | ×Template | —Varies | ✓Yes |
| Copywriting | ✓Included | ×You write it | —Extra fee | —Extra fee |
| Hosting & security | ✓Included | ✓Included | —Separate | —Separate |
| Ongoing updates | ✓Included* | ×You do them | —Hourly | —Retainer |
| Monthly reporting | ✓Included | —DIY dashboard | ×Not usual | —Sometimes |
| Support | ✓Included | —Chat/ticket | —Varies | —Varies |
| Ownership | ✓After 12 months* | ×Never | ✓At delivery | ✓At delivery |
Pine State Creative
Year-one total$199–$899 annual · $228–$1,068 monthly
- Upfront
- $0
- Monthly
- $19–$89
- Who builds it
- ✓We do
- Custom design
- ✓Yes
- Copywriting
- ✓Included
- Hosting & security
- ✓Included
- Ongoing updates
- ✓Included*
- Monthly reporting
- ✓Included
- Support
- ✓Included
- Ownership
- ✓After 12 months*
DIY
Year-one totalAbout $204–$556
- Upfront
- $0–$16
- Monthly
- $17–$45
- Who builds it
- ×You do
- Custom design
- ×Template
- Copywriting
- ×You write it
- Hosting & security
- ✓Included
- Ongoing updates
- ×You do them
- Monthly reporting
- —DIY dashboard
- Support
- —Chat/ticket
- Ownership
- ×Never
Freelancer
Year-one totalAbout $1,740–$4,200+
- Upfront
- $1,500–$3,000
- Monthly
- $20–$100 hosting
- Who builds it
- ✓Freelancer
- Custom design
- —Varies
- Copywriting
- —Extra fee
- Hosting & security
- —Separate
- Ongoing updates
- —Hourly
- Monthly reporting
- ×Not usual
- Support
- —Varies
- Ownership
- ✓At delivery
Agency
Year-one totalAbout $5,400–$16,000+
- Upfront
- $3,000–$10,000+
- Monthly
- $200–$500+ retainer
- Who builds it
- ✓Agency team
- Custom design
- ✓Yes
- Copywriting
- —Extra fee
- Hosting & security
- —Separate
- Ongoing updates
- —Retainer
- Monthly reporting
- —Sometimes
- Support
- —Varies
- Ownership
- ✓At delivery
*Professional and Complete plans. Essential is subscription-only and does not include content updates or ownership transfer.
Ready when you are
Prefer to judge the work first?
Request a free custom homepage concept. No card, account, or obligation is required.