Hiring us to build a small business website costs $1,999 for up to 5 pages, $3,999 for up to 10 pages, or from $6,999 for 11 or more pages, with interest-free 12-month payment plans. That answers how much does it cost to hire a web designer with us. Across the market, prices vary widely because designers work in different ways, include different things, and serve different kinds of clients. This guide explains what drives a web designer’s quote, how to compare proposals fairly, and what to ask before you hire anyone.
How Web Designers Price Their Work
Web designers usually price in one of three ways. Some charge by the hour, which is flexible but makes the final cost hard to predict. Some quote a fixed price per project after scoping the work. Others, like us, offer packages with a defined page count and a clear list of what is included.
Fixed prices and packages give you certainty: you know the cost before work begins. Hourly billing can suit small, open-ended tasks, but for a full website it can make budgeting difficult.
What Affects the Quote
- Number of pages. More pages mean more planning, design, and content work.
- Content. Whether you supply finished text and photos or need help organizing them.
- Features. Booking, payments, integrations, and custom functionality add time.
- Custom design. A layout planned around your business takes more work than dropping content into a template.
- SEO setup. Some designers include on-page SEO and local setup; others charge extra or skip it.
Every one of our packages includes a mobile-friendly design, a contact form, basic on-page SEO, and the Foundation Package.
Freelancer, Studio, or Agency?
A freelancer or small studio usually offers a direct relationship: the person you talk to is the person doing the work. That often means faster answers and fewer layers.
A large agency brings bigger teams and more specialties, which can suit complex projects. For many small businesses, it also means paying for account managers and overhead they do not need.
We work directly with each client, from the first conversation through launch and ongoing support.
How to Compare Web Design Quotes
Two quotes for the same price can include very different work, so compare scope, not just totals. Check each proposal for:
- The number of pages and what each one covers.
- Whether content writing or organizing is included.
- Mobile design and testing.
- Basic SEO and Google Business Profile setup.
- Who owns the site, domain, and hosting accounts.
- What happens after launch, including maintenance and support.
- Payment terms and timeline.
Questions to Ask Before You Hire
Ask to see past work and whether the designer has built sites for businesses like yours; you can view ours on the work page. Ask who will do the work, how feedback and revisions are handled, and how long the project will take. Ask what the site will be built on and whether you can edit it yourself.
Finally, ask what ongoing costs to expect. Hosting, domain renewal, and maintenance continue after launch. We offer website maintenance plans at $99 or $199 per month, and you pay your hosting provider directly.
Red Flags to Watch For
Be cautious if a designer will not put the scope in writing, keeps your domain or hosting in their own name, promises guaranteed rankings, or cannot explain what happens after launch. A very low quote is not always a bargain if planning, testing, or SEO basics are left out, because those gaps often have to be paid for later.
A good designer should be able to explain plainly what you get, what it costs, and how the project will run.
What You Should Own When the Project Ends
When the website is finished, you should own it. That means your domain registered in your name, a hosting account you control, and admin access to the website itself. You should be able to change designers or maintenance providers without starting over.
Ask about ownership before you sign. It costs nothing to set up correctly at the start, and it protects your investment for years. We set projects up so the business keeps control of its own accounts.
Is Hiring a Web Designer Worth It?
For most small businesses, the website is the first place customers check before they call. A clear, fast, mobile-friendly site that explains your services and makes contacting you easy can earn back its cost through the inquiries it brings in. Hiring a designer also saves you the time it takes to learn design, writing for the web, and setup yourself.
See full package details on website design pricing, or book a free website consultation and we will send a clear written proposal before any work begins.
Keep reading: how much a small business website costs, how much a website costs per month, how long it takes to build a website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to hire a web designer for a small business?
With Want Web Design, Starter is $1,999 (up to 5 pages), Business is $3,999 (up to 10 pages), and Growth starts at $6,999 (11+ pages). See website design pricing.
Is it cheaper to hire a freelancer or an agency?
Freelancers and small studios usually cost less than large agencies, which carry more overhead. Compare the scope of each quote, not just the price.
Can I pay a web designer in installments?
Yes. Our packages offer interest-free 12-month payment plans, and Growth also offers a 24-month option.
What ongoing costs come after hiring a web designer?
Plan for hosting, domain renewal, and maintenance. Our maintenance plans are $99 or $199 per month.