If you own a small business in Ankeny, Iowa, and you are thinking about building a new website or replacing an outdated one, one of the first questions you are probably asking is simple:
How much should a small business website cost?
The answer depends on what you need the website to do.
A basic website for a local service business can cost considerably less than a larger site with dozens of pages, online scheduling, e-commerce, custom integrations, advanced search engine optimization or other specialized features.
For many small businesses, the better question is not simply, "What does a website cost?"
It is:
What does my business need the website to accomplish?
Website pricing can range from inexpensive do-it-yourself platforms to custom projects costing thousands of dollars.
For a professionally built small business website, it is common to see projects ranging from roughly $1,500 to $5,000 for relatively straightforward sites. More complex websites can cost considerably more.
That does not mean an Ankeny business should automatically choose the cheapest option or the most expensive one.
A contractor, cleaning company, restaurant, consultant, medical practice or professional service company may have very different needs. The right website is the one that supports the goals of the business without adding unnecessary complexity.
Several factors influence the final cost.
A five-page website will usually cost less than a website with 20 or 30 pages.
A typical small business site might include a homepage, about page, contact page and separate pages for the company's primary services.
Businesses serving several communities may also benefit from location-specific content for areas such as Ankeny, Des Moines, West Des Moines or other markets they serve.
The more pages that need to be designed, written and optimized, the more time the project generally requires.
There is a difference between customizing an established website layout and creating an elaborate custom design from the ground up.
Most small businesses do not need the most complicated website available.
They need a site that looks professional, represents the company accurately, works well on phones and tablets and makes it easy for a potential customer to understand what to do next.
Good website design should support the business rather than distract from it.
Someone has to write the words on the website.
This is an area many business owners underestimate.
Good website content should clearly explain what the business does, who it serves, what makes it different and why a potential customer should take the next step.
The content should also help search engines understand the company's services and geographic market.
If professional copywriting is included in the project, that can affect the overall website cost.
A good-looking website is only part of the equation.
If attracting customers through Google is important, SEO should be considered during the website project rather than added as an afterthought.
That includes things such as page titles, headings, internal links, service pages, location signals, image optimization and a logical website structure.
For an Ankeny business, the website should make it clear both to visitors and search engines what the company does and where it operates.
You can learn more about website design and how design and search visibility can work together.
Some businesses need more than a basic informational website.
Online scheduling, e-commerce, payment processing, customer portals, quote calculators, membership systems, CRM integrations and other custom features can increase development costs.
Before paying for additional functionality, ask whether customers actually need it and whether it will help the business accomplish a specific goal.
Sometimes a simpler website is more effective.
The price to build the website is not the only number you should consider.
Before choosing a website provider, ask:
A low initial price can become much more expensive if the business is locked into significant monthly charges or must pay every time a small change is needed.
The lowest-priced website is not necessarily the least expensive website.
Imagine paying $1,000 for a website that looks acceptable but generates almost no phone calls, quote requests or appointments.
Now compare that with a more effective website that costs more initially but consistently helps generate new customers.
The purchase price is only one part of the value.
At the same time, paying a large amount does not guarantee results. Small businesses should understand exactly what is included and why each feature is necessary.
Before accepting a proposal, ask the website company to clearly explain:
A clear proposal should answer these questions before work begins.
Before deciding how much to spend on a website, decide what success should look like.
Do you want more phone calls?
More estimate requests?
More appointments?
Better visibility in Google?
A stronger first impression when someone searches for your company?
A website should have a purpose beyond simply existing online.
I own Royal Palm Marketing in Ankeny, Iowa, and we help small businesses with website design, SEO, local search, digital advertising, social media and other digital marketing strategies.
When evaluating a new website, start with what you want the website to accomplish. Once that is clear, it becomes much easier to determine what you actually need and what the project should cost.
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