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How Much Does a Small Business Website Cost in North Carolina?

By Colin Pemberton. Updated . 3 minute read.

A small business website has two kinds of cost: a one-time cost to build it, and an ongoing cost to keep it online, secure, and up to date. What you pay depends mostly on how many pages you need, which features you add, and how much help you want after launch. The clearest way to compare quotes is to ask exactly what each one covers, both at the start and every month after.

What are you actually paying for?

Every business website is made of the same few pieces. When you get a quote, check that each one is covered.

  • The design and build. Laying out your pages, making them work well on phones, and setting up your contact form.
  • The words and photos. Someone has to write about your services and gather the images. Some providers include this, and some expect you to supply it.
  • The domain. Your web address, like yourbusiness.com. It renews every year.
  • Hosting. The server that keeps your site online. It's billed monthly or yearly.
  • The security certificate (SSL). The padlock in the browser bar. Customers and browsers expect it, and it has to stay current.
  • Updates and support. New hours, new photos, a new service. Someone needs to make those changes when things change.

If a quote only covers the first item, the other five will still show up later, one bill at a time.

Which costs are one-time and which are monthly?

The build is usually a one-time cost. Everything that keeps the site running recurs.

Cost How often
Design and build Once
Writing and photos Once, plus refreshes
Domain Every year
Hosting Monthly or yearly
SSL certificate Renews on a schedule
Updates and support Monthly, or billed per change

Some providers bundle the recurring pieces into one monthly fee. That's often simpler for a small business, because there's one bill and one person to call.

What makes a website cost more?

The price goes up when the work goes up. The usual reasons are:

  • More pages. A site with a page for each service costs more than a single page, and it also gives customers more to read and more ways to find you.
  • Custom features. Online booking, payments, customer logins, or connections to other software take extra setup and testing.
  • Writing from scratch. Good copy takes time. If your provider writes it, that's part of the price.
  • Photography. Real photos of your work, your team, and your location make a site feel trustworthy, and they take a shoot or a good collection to pull from.
  • Ongoing changes. If you plan to change prices or specials often, look for a plan that includes updates.

Many local service businesses don't need custom features at all. They need a credible site that works on a phone and makes it easy to call. If you're weighing whether you need a site at all, read do I need a website if I already have a Facebook page?

What should you ask before you pay?

Ask every provider the same questions, in writing:

  1. Who owns the domain? It should be you, or it should be transferable to you.
  2. What's included every month? Hosting, security, and how many updates.
  3. How are changes billed? Per change, per hour, or included.
  4. What happens if I leave? Can you take your domain and your content with you?
  5. Can I see it before I commit? A preview or sample of your site tells you more than any portfolio.

Clear answers to these five questions will tell you more than the headline price.

How does our pricing work?

We keep it simple: one price to build, one monthly fee that covers hosting, security, and a content update each month, and a free preview of your site before you decide. You'll find the details on our plans and pricing page.

Once your site is up, the next step is making sure local customers can find it. Our guide to setting up your Google Business Profile walks through that.

Questions

Do I have to pay for a website every month?

Almost always, yes. Even if the design is a one-time cost, the domain, hosting, and security certificate renew on a schedule. Some providers bill those separately, and others bundle them into one monthly fee with updates included.

Is a website builder cheaper than hiring someone?

A do-it-yourself builder usually costs less up front, but you pay with your own time: writing, design, setup, and keeping it current. Hiring someone costs more at the start and saves the time. The right choice depends on whether you'd rather spend money or hours.

Who should own my domain name?

You should, or you should at least have it in writing that it's yours and can be transferred to you. Your domain is your address online, and it's the hardest piece to replace if you ever switch providers.

Why do website prices vary so much?

Because the work varies. Page count, custom features like booking or online payments, who writes the words, and how much ongoing help is included all change the price. Two quotes can look far apart simply because they cover different work.

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