It’s the first question almost everyone asks, and the honest answer is “it depends”. But that’s not very helpful when you’re trying to plan. So here’s what a small business website typically costs in Australia, what changes the price, and how to compare quotes properly.
The short answer
For a typical small business site of five to ten pages built by a professional, Australian cost guides put the upfront price at around $2,000 to $6,000. Larger custom builds often run from $6,000 to $15,000, and online stores start around $5,000 and climb quickly from there (What’s the Damage, November 2026).
Then there are ongoing costs. Care plans that cover updates, backups, security and small edits typically run from $50 to $300 a month, and changes outside a plan are usually charged at $80 to $250 an hour, depending on who does the work (What’s the Damage, WP Creative).
What pushes the price up or down
- Number of pages. Each service, location or product page takes time to plan, write and build.
- Custom design or template. A template is cheaper; a custom design fits your business and stands out.
- Who writes the words. Writing good content is often the slowest part. Some designers include it, many don’t.
- Features. Online bookings, quote forms, member areas and online stores all add cost.
- Who builds it. Freelancers usually cost less than agencies, though quality varies in both.
Three ways to pay for a website
1. Do it yourself. Website builders are cheap upfront, but you pay with your time, you’re limited to a template, and nobody is looking after it once it’s live.
2. A one-off build. You pay a lump sum for the website, then separately for hosting and care. It’s the traditional model, and it works if you have the cash upfront.
3. A monthly plan. A small setup fee, then a monthly amount that covers the build over time, plus hosting and care. It’s easier on cash flow and means someone stays responsible for the site.
The costs people forget
- Your domain name (usually a small yearly fee)
- Hosting, and whether it’s fast and secure
- Business email accounts
- Plugin and software updates, which need doing every month
- Changes after launch: new prices, staff, photos and services
- Photography, if you want real images rather than stock
Questions to ask before you sign
- Is the design custom, or based on a template?
- Who writes the content?
- What’s included after launch, and what costs extra?
- Who owns the website and the domain name?
- What happens if I want to leave?
- Will the site be set up so Google and AI tools can understand my business?
That last question matters more every year. More and more customers ask AI tools for a recommendation instead of scrolling through search results, and the answer usually names just a few businesses. A cheap site that AI can’t make sense of can cost you far more in missed work than it saved.
How we price it
At Glue we chose the monthly model: $299 to start, then a plan from $99 a month including GST. The first 12 months cover your custom build, and after that it’s month to month with no lock-in. You can compare the plans here.
Not sure where your current site stands? Start with a free AI Visibility Check.
Sources
- What’s the Damage: Web design cost in Australia (verified November 2026)
- WP Creative: Web design packages and prices in 2026 (updated October 2026)