How Much Does a Website Cost Per Month?

A small business website typically costs a modest amount per month to run once it is built: hosting and your domain, which you pay directly to those providers, plus maintenance if you want it handled. Our maintenance plans are $99 per month for Basic Maintenance or $199 per month for Plus Maintenance. If you also want ongoing local SEO, our plans start at $500 per month. And if you spread the cost of the build over time, our interest-free payment plans add a predictable monthly payment for 12 months. Here is how each monthly cost works.

Hosting and Domain

Hosting is where your website lives, and your domain is its address. We do not provide hosting; you arrange and pay your hosting provider directly, so the account stays in your name. Domains are usually renewed once a year with your registrar.

Keeping both in your own name means you can change designers or providers without losing your website.

Website Maintenance

Maintenance keeps your site secure, backed up, and up to date. Our two plans:

Basic Maintenance, $99 per month: security, backups, and updates.
Plus Maintenance, $199 per month: everything in Basic, plus up to one hour of edits each month and priority support.

See website maintenance plans for details, or read how much it costs to maintain a website for a deeper look.

Optional: Ongoing Local SEO

Some businesses want ongoing help being found in local search. Our local SEO and Google Business Profile plans are month to month with 30 days notice to cancel:

Local, $500 per month: Google Business Profile upkeep, basic listings, and on-site SEO for businesses serving one area.
Growth, $1,000 per month: everything in Local, plus new location and service pages, more listings, and link building.
Premium, $1,500 per month: everything in Growth, plus more content each month, deeper competitor analysis, and priority support.

Ongoing SEO is optional. Many small businesses start with a solid website and the Foundation Package included with every build.

Paying for the Build Monthly

If you prefer not to pay for the website all at once, every package offers an interest-free 12-month payment plan. For example, Starter is $250 down plus 12 monthly payments of $145.75, and Business is $400 down plus 11 monthly payments of $299.92 followed by a final payment of $299.88. Growth also offers a 24-month plan that includes Basic Maintenance.

You own the website outright once all website payments are made. Full details are on website design pricing.

Putting It Together: Example Monthly Budgets

Lean: hosting and domain only, with you handling updates yourself.
Hands-off: hosting and domain plus Basic Maintenance at $99 per month.
Hands-off with edits: hosting and domain plus Plus Maintenance at $199 per month.
Growth-focused: hosting, domain, maintenance, and a Local SEO plan from $500 per month.

Add a payment plan installment for the first 12 months if you spread out the cost of the build.

Monthly Costs You Can Usually Skip

Not every monthly charge is necessary. Before adding a paid plugin, app, or service, ask what problem it solves and whether something you already have does the same job. Many small business sites run well with a short list of essentials.

Be cautious of bundles that lock your domain or hosting into someone else’s account; the convenience can make it hard to leave later.

Monthly Costs vs. One-Time Costs

It helps to separate the two. One-time costs cover the planning, design, and build of the website. Monthly costs cover keeping it online, secure, and current. A clear proposal should list both, so there are no surprises after launch.

When comparing quotes, ask each provider which monthly costs you will pay them, which you will pay to other providers, and what happens if you stop paying. A good answer is simple: your site, domain, and hosting stay yours. If a provider cannot explain its monthly charges in plain language, ask for a written breakdown before you sign anything.

What Happens If You Skip Maintenance

Skipping maintenance saves money in the short term, but WordPress sites need regular updates to stay secure and working. Without them, plugins can conflict, forms can stop sending, and security risks build up. If you manage upkeep yourself, set a regular schedule and keep current backups.

How to Choose

If your site rarely changes, Basic Maintenance may be all you need. If you update content often, Plus Maintenance saves you time. If search visibility is a priority, consider a local SEO plan once your website is solid. And if you are still deciding on the build itself, read how much it costs to hire a web designer.

Have questions about your situation? Book a free website consultation.

Keep reading: how much it costs to maintain a website, how much a small business website costs, how much it costs to hire a web designer. Each guide answers one common question with real numbers and practical next steps.

Frequently Asked Questions