How Much Does a Small Business Website Cost in Australia? (2025 Guide)
One of the most common questions we get from Australian small business owners is straightforward but surprisingly complex: "How much will my website cost?" The answer depends on several factors, from your specific business needs to the complexity of features you require.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll break down the actual costs of building a small business website in Australia in 2025, comparing different options so you can make an informed decision for your business. All prices mentioned in this article exclude GST.
Website Cost Overview: Quick Summary
Here's a quick overview of what you might expect to pay for different website options in Australia:
Website Options and Pricing
- DIY Website: $200-500 per year (domain, hosting, themes)
- Website Builder (Wix, Squarespace): $300-800 per year
- WordPress with Pre-made Theme: $1,000-3,000 initial + $300-500 per year
- Professional Custom Website: $1,000-5,000+ initial + $360-1,200 per year
Let's dive deeper into each option to understand what you're really paying for.
DIY Website Costs
Building your own website is the most affordable option upfront, but comes with significant hidden costs in time and opportunity.
What You'll Pay For:
- Domain Name: $15-50 per year
- Hosting: $100-300 per year
- Premium Theme: $50-200 (one-time)
- Stock Photos: $100-300 (or free with limitations)
- Additional Plugins/Tools: $100-500 per year
The bigger cost, however, is your time. Most Australian business owners we've worked with spend 40-100 hours learning, building, and troubleshooting their DIY website.
If your hourly rate is $50-100, that's $2,000-10,000 worth of your time spent on something outside your core business.
Website Builder Costs (Wix, Squarespace, etc.)
Website builders offer an easier alternative to DIY with better templates and drag-and-drop functionality.
What You'll Pay For:
- Monthly Subscription: $20-50 per month ($240-600 per year)
- Domain Name: Often included in subscription
- Premium Templates: $50-200 (optional one-time)
- Apps/Extensions: $5-50 per month for needed functionality
While easier than pure DIY, Australian businesses still report spending 15-40 hours building and maintaining their website builder sites. These platforms also have limitations on functionality and customization that may become frustrating as your business grows.
WordPress Website with Pre-made Theme
WordPress powers over 40% of all websites globally and offers a middle ground between DIY and fully custom solutions.
What You'll Pay For:
- Professional Setup: $1,000-3,000 (one-time)
- Premium Theme: $50-200 (one-time)
- Hosting: $150-500 per year
- Domain: $15-50 per year
- Premium Plugins: $100-500 per year
- Ongoing Maintenance: $50-200 per month
This option provides good value for most Australian small businesses, balancing professional results with reasonable costs. WordPress does require maintenance and updates to stay secure, which should be factored into your budget.
Professional Custom Website Development
Custom website development provides the most tailored solution for your business with a unique design and functionality specific to your needs.
WebCraft Studio Custom Website Pricing
At WebCraft Studio, our custom website projects start at a minimum of $1,000, with most business websites falling in the range of $1,000-$5,000 depending on complexity and requirements. For the most accurate pricing for your specific project, we recommend contacting us for a personalized quote. Remember that all prices exclude GST.
What You'll Pay For:
- Custom Design: $1,000-3,000
- Development: $1,000-3,000
- Content Creation: $500-2,000
- Hosting: $200-800 per year
- Domain: $15-50 per year
- Maintenance Package: $30-100 per month
Professional websites for businesses typically start around $1,000 and increase based on complexity. While this is a higher upfront investment than DIY options, it delivers significant value through increased conversions, better user experience, and reduced headaches.
Website Costs for Tradespeople in Australia
If you're a tradesperson in Australia (electrician, plumber, carpenter, etc.), your website needs are often unique. You need a site that showcases your work, generates leads, and builds trust with potential customers.
Specific Features Tradespeople Often Need:
- Project Gallery: High-quality images of completed work
- Customer Testimonials: Build trust with prospective clients
- Service Area Maps: Show where you work in Australia
- Online Quote Forms: Make it easy for customers to request quotes
- License/Certification Display: Demonstrate credentials and build trust
- Mobile optimisation: Crucial for customers searching while on-site
For Australian trades businesses, we offer specialised packages starting at $1,000 (excluding GST) that include these essential features. Our trades websites are designed specifically to generate leads and showcase your craftsmanship to potential customers.
Our Focus: Small Business Websites
Small Business Website Specialists
At WebCraft Studio, we specialise exclusively in creating professional websites for small businesses. Rather than diluting our expertise across multiple types of web development, we've chosen to focus on what we do best: building effective, affordable websites that help small businesses grow.
This focused approach allows us to deliver better value, faster turnaround times, and more competitive pricing for our clients. We understand the unique challenges small businesses face online and tailor our solutions specifically to meet those needs.
Ongoing Website Costs To Consider
Beyond the initial website development, there are several ongoing costs Australian business owners should budget for:
Annual Website Expenses:
- Domain Renewal: $15-50 per year
- Hosting: $150-800 per year
- SSL Certificate: $0-200 per year
- Website Maintenance: $500-2,000 per year
- Content Updates: $500-3,000 per year
- SEO Services: $500-2,000+ per month
- Website Redesign: Every 2-4 years ($2,000-10,000)
Note: All prices mentioned above exclude GST and should be factored into your budgeting.
What Factors Influence Website Costs?
Understanding what drives website costs can help you budget appropriately:
Design Complexity
More unique designs with custom illustrations, animations, and interactive elements will increase costs.
Functionality Requirements
Advanced features like appointment booking, member portals, custom calculators, or integrations with other systems add to development time and cost.
Content Volume
More pages and content require additional design and development hours.
E-commerce Needs
Online stores require complex systems for inventory, payments, shipping, and tax calculations.
Speed and Timeline
Rush projects typically cost more as resources need to be prioritized.
Making the Right Choice for Your Australian Business
When deciding on your website budget, consider these factors:
Business Goals
What do you need your website to accomplish? Lead generation, online sales, information sharing?
Growth Plans
Will your current needs change significantly in the next 1-2 years?
ROI Potential
A single client or sale gained through your website can often pay for the entire investment.
Competitive Landscape
What are your competitors doing online, and how does your web presence need to compare?
The Cost of NOT Having a Professional Website
While focusing on direct costs is important, Australian business owners should also consider the opportunity cost of having a subpar website:
Hidden Costs of Poor Website Quality:
- Lost Potential Customers: 75% of users judge business credibility based on website design
- Lower Conversion Rates: Professional websites typically convert 2-5x better than DIY options
- Poor Mobile Experience: 60% of web traffic comes from mobile devices
- SEO Disadvantages: Custom-coded websites typically rank better in search results
- Time Drain: Maintaining a DIY website takes time away from your core business
Conclusion: Investing Wisely in Your Website
A website isn't just a cost—it's an investment in your business's growth and success. While it's natural to be price-conscious, focusing solely on finding the cheapest option can lead to poor results and higher costs in the long run.
Our Recommendation
For most small businesses, a professional custom website provides the best balance of cost, quality, and results. These solutions start at $1,000 (excluding GST) and are tailored specifically to your business needs and goals.
Remember that your website often represents the first impression potential customers have of your business. Making a solid investment in this crucial marketing asset typically pays dividends many times over.
Every business has unique needs and goals, which is why we provide personalized quotes rather than one-size-fits-all pricing. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your specific requirements and get a customized quote for your small business website.