Question 1

How much does a small business website cost?

Accepted Answer

A small business website typically costs between $3,000 and $15,000 for a professionally designed site. Template-based sites can start around $500–$2,000, while custom designs with advanced features like e-commerce or booking systems range from $10,000 to $30,000+. The final price depends on the number of pages, design complexity, custom functionality, and whether you need ongoing maintenance. At MooseBase, small business projects start from $2,000 and most fall in the $3,000–$12,000 range, which includes custom design, mobile optimization, basic SEO setup, and a content management system so you can make updates yourself.

Question 2

Why do website costs vary so much?

Accepted Answer

Website costs vary because every project has different requirements. A simple 5-page brochure site costs far less than a 50-page site with custom booking, payment processing, and third-party integrations. Key factors include design complexity (template vs custom), number of pages, functionality needed, content creation, SEO requirements, and the experience level of your developer. Agencies generally charge more than freelancers but offer broader skill sets and reliability. Geography also plays a role  - US-based teams charge more than offshore developers, but communication and quality control are typically smoother.

Question 3

How long does it take to build a website?

Accepted Answer

A professional business website typically takes 4–12 weeks from kickoff to launch. A simple 5–10 page brochure site can be completed in 4–6 weeks. More complex sites with custom functionality, e-commerce, or extensive content take 8–12 weeks or longer. The timeline depends on design complexity, how quickly you provide content and feedback, and the number of revision rounds. The biggest delays usually come from content  - gathering photos, writing copy, and getting stakeholder approvals. At MooseBase, we provide a clear project timeline upfront and keep things moving with structured feedback cycles.

Question 4

What makes a good business website?

Accepted Answer

A good business website loads fast (under 3 seconds), looks professional on all devices, makes it easy for visitors to take action, and ranks well in search engines. Key elements include clear navigation, compelling headlines, strong calls to action above the fold, trust signals like testimonials and reviews, fast page speed, mobile-responsive design, and proper SEO fundamentals. Your homepage should answer three questions within 5 seconds: what you do, who you serve, and how to get started. The best business websites are built around conversion goals, not just aesthetics.

Question 5

How do I get my business on Google?

Accepted Answer

The fastest way to get your business on Google is to create a free Google Business Profile at business.google.com. This puts you on Google Maps and in local search results. Fill out every field completely: business name, address, phone, hours, categories, services, and photos. Next, build a website optimized for your target keywords and location. Get listed on key directories like Yelp, Facebook, and industry-specific sites. Encourage customers to leave Google reviews. Within a few weeks, your business should start appearing in local search results. Ongoing SEO work helps you climb higher over time.

Question 6

What is local SEO?

Accepted Answer

Local SEO is the practice of optimizing your online presence to attract more business from local searches. When someone searches 'plumber near me' or 'best restaurant in Dallas,' local SEO determines which businesses appear. It involves optimizing your Google Business Profile, building consistent local citations (directory listings), earning Google reviews, creating location-specific website content, and ensuring your name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent everywhere online. Local SEO is essential for any business serving a specific geographic area. Unlike paid ads, the traffic from local SEO is free and compounds over time.

Question 7

How much does an AI chatbot cost?

Accepted Answer

AI chatbot costs range from $50/month for basic off-the-shelf tools to $5,000–$25,000+ for custom-built solutions. Simple chatbots using platforms like Tidio or Drift start at $50–$200/month. Mid-range solutions with AI-powered conversations and integrations run $200–$1,000/month. Custom chatbots built specifically for your business, with unique conversation flows, CRM integration, and trained on your specific data, typically cost $5,000–$15,000 to build plus $200–$500/month for hosting and AI usage. At MooseBase, our custom AI chatbot solutions include conversation design, integration with your systems, and ongoing optimization to maximize lead capture and customer satisfaction.

Question 8

Do small businesses need a chatbot?

Accepted Answer

A chatbot isn't essential for every small business, but it's increasingly valuable for businesses that receive frequent customer inquiries, need to capture leads outside business hours, or want to reduce repetitive support tasks. If you regularly miss calls, lose leads overnight, or spend hours answering the same questions, a chatbot can make a significant impact. Service businesses like dental offices, law firms, HVAC companies, and restaurants see particularly strong results. The question isn't whether you can afford a chatbot  - it's whether you can afford to keep losing leads at 10pm when no one's answering the phone.

Question 9

How much does custom software cost?

Accepted Answer

Custom software typically costs $10,000–$100,000+ depending on complexity. A simple internal tool or dashboard runs $10,000–$25,000. A mid-complexity web application with user authentication, database, and integrations costs $25,000–$75,000. Enterprise-grade software with advanced features, multiple user roles, and complex integrations exceeds $75,000. The cost depends on feature count, design complexity, integrations needed, and development timeline. Starting with an MVP (minimum viable product) for $10,000–$30,000 lets you validate the concept before investing in a full build. At MooseBase, we help businesses scope projects realistically and build in phases to manage cost and risk.

Question 10

When does a business need custom software?

Accepted Answer

A business needs custom software when off-the-shelf tools can't solve a specific operational problem, when you're spending excessive time on manual processes that could be automated, or when existing software doesn't integrate with your workflow. Common triggers include: outgrowing spreadsheets for data management, needing to connect multiple disconnected tools, requiring features no existing product offers, wanting a competitive advantage through proprietary technology, or needing to automate repetitive tasks that consume staff time. If you're paying for multiple SaaS subscriptions and still using workarounds, custom software often costs less in the long run while doing exactly what you need.

Question 11

How do I get more leads from my website?

Accepted Answer

To get more leads from your website, focus on three things: traffic, conversion, and follow-up. Drive more traffic through SEO, content marketing, and targeted ads. Convert visitors by adding clear calls to action on every page, placing contact forms above the fold, adding live chat or a chatbot, displaying social proof (testimonials, reviews), and making your phone number clickable on mobile. Follow up quickly  - businesses that respond to leads within 5 minutes are 21x more likely to qualify them. Also ensure your site loads fast, looks professional on mobile, and clearly communicates what you do and who you help within seconds.

Question 12

Why is my website not generating leads?

Accepted Answer

Common reasons websites fail to generate leads: no clear call to action (visitors don't know what to do next), no contact form above the fold, slow page speed driving visitors away, poor mobile experience, weak or generic messaging that doesn't address customer pain points, no trust signals (testimonials, reviews, certifications), buried contact information, no compelling reason to act now, and targeting the wrong keywords. Also check your analytics  - if you're getting traffic but no leads, it's a conversion problem. If you're getting little traffic, it's a visibility problem. The fix is different for each. Start by visiting your site on your phone and asking: would I contact this business?

Frequently Asked Questions

Website Cost & Pricing

Web Design & Development

SEO & Local Search

AI Chatbots for Business

Custom Software & Tools

Small Business Digital Presence

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