In brief.
Compare the build, hosting, and the cost of keeping it current. Tawkee includes the website, hosting, and up to three small changes for $50 a month, with $0 setup.
Four ways to get a website
- Build it yourself with a website builder.
- Hire a freelancer for a one-off project.
- Hire a web design agency.
- Pay a monthly plan that covers the website, hosting, and updates.
| Option | Cost | Keeping it current |
|---|---|---|
| Website builder | $17 to $120 a month | You build it and handle the updates. |
| Freelancer | $2,000 to $7,600 for the build | Ask about hosting and later changes. |
| Agency | $5,000 to $15,000 for the build | Ask what is included after launch. |
| Tawkee | $0 setup, $50 a month | Hosting and up to three small changes a month by email. |
Doing it yourself with a website builder
Builders such as Wix and Squarespace charge a monthly plan. WebsiteSetup’s 2026 guide puts business plans at roughly $17 to $120 a month.
The software is the cheap part. The real cost is your time: choosing a template, writing the text, preparing photos, and keeping everything current. If you enjoy that work and have the time, a builder can be a good choice.
Hiring a freelancer
The same guide estimates $2,000 to $7,600 for a small business site from a freelancer, based on typical hourly rates and 40 to 80 hours of work.
Ask what happens after launch. Hosting, the domain, and later changes are often billed separately or by the hour.
Hiring an agency
Agencies typically charge more, and the guide puts a complete small business website at $5,000 to $15,000. That usually includes strategy, design, and development, and sometimes content.
An agency makes the most sense when you need more than a brochure website, such as an online store or custom features.
Monthly website plans
A monthly plan spreads the cost out: you pay a set amount each month for the website, hosting, and some level of updates. Plans vary widely in price, setup fees, minimum terms, and what “updates” means, so read the details.
Mine is $0 setup and $50 a month, month-to-month, covering a brochure website, its hosting, and up to three small content changes each month by email.
Costs people forget
- Your domain name: the guide puts a standard .com at about $12 to $25 a year, paid to your registrar.
- Business email, which is usually a separate subscription from your website.
- Changes after launch, if they’re billed by the hour.
- Renewal prices, which can be higher than introductory ones.
- Your own time, especially with a do-it-yourself builder.
Questions to ask before you sign anything
- Is there a setup or build fee, and how much?
- What does the monthly fee cover: hosting, updates, or both?
- How do I ask for changes, and which ones cost extra?
- Is there a minimum term, and how do I cancel?
- Who owns the domain, the content, and the website itself?
How to choose
If you enjoy building and editing websites and have the time, a builder is the cheapest route. If you need an online store or custom features, budget for a freelancer or an agency.
If you want a simple website handled for you at a predictable cost, a monthly plan is worth a look, and with mine you see a free homepage preview before deciding.