Free Small Business Website Cost Calculator: Builder vs. Designer vs. DIY

Most small business sites are paid for one of three ways: a monthly website builder, a designer you hire once, or a template you set up yourself on a free or cheap host. Enter the prices you've been quoted below to compare the real cost over one year and over several.

It runs in your browser. Nothing you type is saved or sent anywhere. The prices filled in below are made-up examples, not quotes; check current prices before you decide.

Domain name, $ a year: Compare over this many years:

Website builder

Plan, $ a month: Domain bought separately? YesNo, included

Hired designer

One-time price, $: Hosting, $ a month: Updates or upkeep, $ a year:

DIY template

Template, $ one time: Hosting, $ a month:

Compare costs

How the math works

• Yearly running cost = monthly fees × 12 + domain + any yearly upkeep.
• Year 1 = one-time price + one year of running costs. Over several years = one-time price + running costs × years.
• Some builders include a domain for the first year only. Some static hosts have free plans with limits, so read the plan's terms.

Example (made up): a $23-a-month builder plus a $20 domain is $296 a year, $888 over 3 years. A $1,500 designer site with $10-a-month hosting is $1,640 in year 1 and $1,920 over 3 years. A $12 template on a free host with the same domain is $32 in year 1 and $72 over 3 years, plus your own setup time.

This is general information, not a quote or professional advice.

The DIY option

The Local Business Website Template ($12) is a one-page website for a local service business (plumber, cleaner, salon, handyman). Edit one HTML file, drag the folder onto a free host, and it's online. 3 color themes, tap-to-call button on phones, no page builder or subscription.

Get the template on Gumroad – $12

This template is also in the Self-Employed & Small Business Bundle (what's inside): all 9 business tools for $29 (about $80 if bought one by one).

We make this template, so take that into account. The calculator above is free to use either way.

Related free guides

• How Much a Small Business Website Costs (Example Numbers)
• Free One-Page Website for a Local Business: What to Include
• Small Business Website Launch Checklist (Before You Share)
• How to Connect a Custom Domain to Your Website (Steps)

More free tools: all calculators.

See all Cedar & Ledger templates