"How much will it cost?" is the first question nearly every business owner asks us. Websites range from free do-it-yourself builders to large custom projects, so the honest answer is: it depends on what you need. This guide explains your options, what actually drives the price, and how to compare quotes so you get value rather than just a low number.
Your options, from cheapest to most involved
Do it yourself
Website builders let you make a site yourself for a monthly subscription. It's the cheapest option in cash, but not in time. You'll choose a template, write every page, set up SEO and keep it updated. It suits very new businesses testing an idea.
Watch for: generic templates that look like everyone else's, slow pages and weak SEO structure.
A freelancer
Freelancers vary enormously in price and skill. A good one can deliver great value. The risks are availability, what happens if they move on, and whether you end up with access to your own site.
Watch for: who owns the domain, hosting and files, and how you'll get changes made in a year's time.
A small studio
A studio gives you design, build, SEO and ongoing care from a small team, usually with a clear process and set packages. This is where most established service businesses land.
Watch for: what's actually included, and whether you see a design before you pay a deposit. At EZM you see a working draft of your new homepage first, for free.
A large agency
Large agencies suit big organisations with complex needs, such as integrations, large content teams and many stakeholders. Projects take longer and cost considerably more.
What drives the price
1. Pages
Every service that deserves its own Google ranking needs its own page. A business with eight services needs far more design, writing and testing than one with three. It's usually the biggest single factor.
2. Features
Interactive features take extra design and testing:
- repayment and borrowing calculators for brokers
- quote estimators for tradies and detailers
- goal pickers for financial planners
- booking and payments
- property listings feeds
They add to the cost, but they're often what turns a visitor into an enquiry.
3. Content
Writing good website copy takes time. If you supply your own text and photos, the cost stays down. If you'd like it researched and written for you, that's extra.
4. SEO and set-up
Basic SEO, like page titles, descriptions, a sitemap and Google indexing, should be included in any professional build. Ongoing SEO work, like keyword research and monthly content, is a separate service.
5. Compliance
Finance and legal businesses need licence wording, disclaimers and often licensee approval. It's not difficult, but it needs care and adds steps.
6. Branding
If you need a new logo, colours and fonts as well, that's a separate piece of work, though it's often best done together with the website.
Ongoing costs to budget for
- Domain name: renewed every one or two years.
- Hosting: where your site lives. Static sites are cheap and fast to host.
- Maintenance: security, backups, small changes and updates.
- Content: fresh articles help you rank over time.
You can look after these yourself, or bundle them into a monthly care plan so someone else keeps everything running.
How to compare quotes
When quotes vary widely, ask each provider:
- How many pages are included, and who writes them?
- Is basic SEO included? What about Google Analytics and Search Console?
- How many rounds of changes do I get?
- Will I see a design before paying a deposit?
- Who owns the website, domain and files when it's finished?
- What happens if I stop paying for maintenance?
- Is it built on WordPress or another platform that needs constant updates?
The last question matters more after the October 2026 PHP security flaw, which forced businesses around the world to patch or take sites offline.
The bottom line
Pay for what moves the needle: clear pages for each service, a fast mobile experience, an easy way to enquire and a plan to keep it fresh. Avoid paying for features you won't use, and make sure you own what you buy.
Want a number for your business? Request a quote or call us, and we can build you a free draft before you spend anything.
This article is general information only and isn't legal, financial or technical advice for your situation. Questions? Talk to us.