How much should I budget for a website?

Most small businesses should budget $5,000–$15,000 for their initial website, plus $100–$300 per month for hosting, maintenance, and minor updates.

If your business depends heavily on online leads, budgeting toward the higher end ensures you get custom design, proper SEO, fast load times, and conversion-optimized pages. Don't forget to account for ongoing costs: domain renewal ($10–$20/year), SSL certificate (often included with hosting), email hosting, and any premium plugins or tools. A good rule of thumb is to treat your website as a marketing investment, not a one-time expense.