So your friend got quoted $2,000–$5,000 for a “simple” business website — and then got slapped with
$200–$400/month in mystery “maintenance” fees?
Yeah. That’s not a website quote. That’s a slow-motion wallet mugging.
Let’s break this mess down and figure out what real website pricing should look like in 2025 — especially if
you’re a small business owner trying not to get scammed into bankruptcy by the “web agency industrial complex.”
Why Website Prices Are All Over the Place
The reason you’re seeing quotes from $500 to $5,000+ is because “website” is as vague as saying you want a “car.” Is
that a used Honda Civic or a brand-new Tesla Cybertruck with rocket boosters?
Here’s what affects pricing:
- Custom design vs. template (Templates = cheaper, faster, and usually fine)
- Number of pages (1–3 pages? Or a 50-page content beast?)
- Features (eCommerce? Blog? Booking system? Member portal?)
- Copywriting included or nah?
- Who’s building it? (A college kid on Discord? Or a full stack web developer who actually
delivers?)
What Should a Simple Business Website Really Cost?
If you just need a clean, professional site that says “Here’s what I do, here’s how to contact me,” here’s what you
should expect in 2025:
| Type | Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DIY Builder (Wix, Squarespace, Framer) | $0–$300/year | Great for budget DIY, but you’ll hit limits fast. |
| Freelancer / Small Agency (Template-based) | $500–$1,500 | Solid option if you find the right person. |
| Custom WordPress Development | $1,500–$3,500 | When you need more flexibility or unique design. |
| Full-on Custom Dev | $4,000+ | Rarely needed unless you’re building an app or startup platform. |
⚠️ Avoid anyone charging $300/month “maintenance” for a site that just sits there. Unless it includes hosting, updates, unlimited edits, SEO, AND champagne delivery — hard pass.
“Maintenance Fees” Are the New Lock-In Scam
Let me be clear: ongoing costs are totally normal — but what you’re getting matters:
- Reasonable: $20–$50/month for hosting, backups, plugin updates.
- Suspicious: $200+/month and you still have to beg for simple edits? Nah.
Want someone on-call for content updates, troubleshooting, or small tweaks? Cool. But make it a retainer with clear deliverables — not a vague “maintenance” black hole.
DIY, Outsource, or Hire a Pro?
Here’s the no-fluff breakdown:
DIY (Wix, Squarespace, WordPress):
- 💰 Cheap
- ⏱ Time-consuming
- 🎯 Great for solo-preneurs who like control
Outsource (Fiverr, Upwork, Reddit randos):
- 🎲 Wildly inconsistent quality
- 🤕 Risk of ghosting, poor communication
- 💸 Cheap upfront, expensive if you have to redo it
Hire a freelance website developer (like me 👋):
- ✅ Custom setup, real results
- 💬 Actual communication
- 💵 Mid-range price, high ROI
Real Talk: Your Website Is an Investment, Not an Expense
Let’s say you spend $2,000 and it helps you land just one extra client a month. That’s what, $1,000+ in new revenue per month?
In six months, your website’s paid for itself and then some.
But… if your $2,000 site doesn’t convert? Doesn’t matter how “nice” it looks — it’s a glorified online brochure collecting digital dust.
TL;DR: What You Actually Need
- A clear offer and CTA (not “Welcome to our homepage!”)
- Fast load times, mobile-friendly layout
- No fluff, no stock photo models pretending to be CEOs
- Real support (not $300/month to “maintain” nothing)
- Someone you can email who actually replies
Want Help (Without Getting Ripped Off)?
If this all sounds like a lot, it is — unless you know what you’re doing (or know someone who does).
I build custom websites that don’t just look good — they work. Whether you need custom WordPress development, a freelance website developer you can trust, or just want to ditch the shady maintenance contracts, I got you.
No pressure, no hard sell. Just real advice from someone who actually gives a damn.
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