A well-designed website is an essential tool for any small business aiming to remain competitive and accessible in today’s digital-first environment. However, determining how much to budget can be daunting, particularly given the range of options and price points in the market. Below is a comprehensive guide to help you understand what you should expect to pay for a small business website in Australia in 2025.
1. Basic Small Business Websites
Cost Range: $2,000–$5,000
Features
- A few core pages: Home, About, Contact, and possibly a Services or Products page.
- Often built using templates or DIY platforms like Wix or Squarespace.
- Minimal customisation beyond changing colours, fonts, and basic layouts.
Best For
- Businesses seeking a simple online presence.
- Those with no advanced feature requirements (e.g., eCommerce or booking systems).
- Startups operating on a tight budget that need to establish credibility quickly.
Why Choose a Basic Site?
- Cost-effective and quick to launch.
- Ideal as a “digital business card” where potential clients can learn basic information about your services.
2. Standard Informational Websites
Cost Range: $5,000–$10,000
Features
- Professional design and branding elements.
- Mobile responsiveness and a more thorough SEO setup.
- Around 8–10 pages, including expanded content about services or products.
- Potential for basic integrations, like a newsletter sign-up form or social media feeds.
Best For
- Small businesses needing a polished online presence to attract and engage customers.
- Companies ready to invest in a more robust, user-friendly design than a bare-bones template can offer.
Why Choose a Standard Site?
- Offers a good balance between affordability and professional functionality.
- Enough customisation and SEO groundwork to stand out against basic template sites.
3. Conversion-Focused Websites
Cost Range: $7,500–$15,000
Features
- Designed with lead generation in mind, featuring calls to action, strategically placed forms, or booking systems.
- Custom branding elements that reinforce brand identity and trust.
- Integrations such as CRM tools, scheduling software, or marketing automation platforms.
Best For
- Businesses aiming to expand customer inquiries or online sales leads.
- Those ready to invest in design strategies proven to increase conversions and user engagement.
Why Choose a Conversion-Focused Site?
- Prioritises user experience and funnels visitors toward a specific goal (e.g., purchasing a product, filling out a form).
- Typically yields a higher return on investment due to its focus on measurable results.
4. E-Commerce Websites
Cost Range: $8,500–$25,000+
Features
- Full online store capabilities, including product pages, shopping cart, secure payment gateways, and inventory management.
- May require specialised functionality like shipping integrations or automated tax calculations.
- Often includes user accounts, wish lists, and other retail-centric features.
Best For
- Businesses planning to sell products or services online.
- Brick-and-mortar stores seeking to expand into eCommerce.
Why Choose an E-Commerce Site?
- Enables revenue generation through direct online sales.
- Offers scalability for businesses that anticipate growing their product line or expanding into new markets.
5. Custom-Built Websites
Cost Range: $10,000–$30,000+
Features
- Fully tailored design and functionality.
- Advanced integrations—APIs, unique booking or delivery systems, specialised databases.
- Greater flexibility in terms of how the site looks, behaves, and scales.
Best For
- Businesses with very specific or complex needs that off-the-shelf solutions cannot meet.
- Companies focused on brand uniqueness and advanced technical requirements.
Why Choose a Custom-Built Site?
- Truly one-of-a-kind online presence that can adapt as your business grows.
- Potential for deeper integrations and functionality if you need a website that does more than just display information or sell products.
Additional Costs to Consider
Building the site is only one part of the equation. Budget for these ongoing or supplemental expenses to ensure your website remains functional, secure, and effective.
- Hosting ($5–$50/month)
- Shared hosting is cheaper but offers fewer resources and less control.
- VPS or dedicated hosting costs more but provides better performance, especially for sites with high traffic.
- Domain Name ($20–$75/year)
- Prices vary based on domain extensions (e.g., .com.au).
- Register for multiple years to secure better rates and prevent domain hijacking.
- Ongoing Maintenance ($100–$500/month)
- Covers regular updates, security patches, and minor design tweaks.
- Essential for avoiding downtime, hacking, or broken links.
- SEO Services ($1,500–$10,000/month)
- Enhances visibility in search engines, driving more organic traffic.
- Costs vary based on the competitiveness of your industry and how aggressive your SEO strategy needs to be.
- Content Creation ($1,000–$5,000)
- Professional copywriting, images, and videos help present your services compellingly.
- Often not included in standard web design packages.
Factors Influencing Costs
- Number of Pages: More pages require additional design and content creation, increasing the overall price.
- Level of Customisation: Custom-designed elements and unique functionalities can be time-intensive and costly.
- Advanced Features: Booking systems, membership portals, multi-language support—these extra features raise design and development costs.
- Designer Expertise: Freelancers typically charge less than agencies, but quality and reliability can vary. An established agency may be more expensive but often provides a smoother process and robust support.
Finding the Right Fit for Your Budget
To make the most of your investment, consider the following tips:
- Set Clear Goals: Identify your website’s primary purpose (e.g., generating leads, selling products, building brand awareness) and focus on features that support these objectives.
- Prioritise Essentials: Start with core pages and functionalities. You can always expand or add features later.
- Obtain Multiple Quotes: Compare proposals from freelancers, agencies, and DIY platforms to find the best balance of cost, quality, and support.
- Plan for Growth: If you anticipate rapid expansion, choose a platform and design approach that can scale with your business.
Conclusion
The cost of a small business website in Australia can range from as low as $2,000 for a basic online presence to $30,000+ for a custom-built, feature-rich platform. Ultimately, the price will depend on your specific needs, desired functionalities, and aesthetic preferences. By understanding these price ranges and focusing on your core business goals, you can secure a website that not only fits your budget but also contributes meaningfully to your company’s growth and success.