If you run a small business in Chicago, you have probably heard website quotes anywhere from a few hundred dollars to the price of a used car. Both can be honest. The gap comes down to who builds it, how many pages and features you need, and what you pay every year after launch.
This guide breaks down typical 2026 prices, what actually changes the number, and exactly what we charge, so you can budget before you talk to anyone.
Typical Prices in 2026
National pricing guides put most small business sites in these ranges (Levitate, 2026):
| Who builds it | Upfront cost | Ongoing cost |
|---|---|---|
| You, with a DIY builder | $0–$300, plus up to $200 for apps or themes | $10–$30 a month |
| A freelancer | $500–$5,000 (premium freelancers up to $10,000) | $50–$150 a month for maintenance |
| An agency | $5,000–$15,000 | $100–$1,000 a month in retainers |
| Custom or eCommerce, agency-built | $15,000–$60,000+ | Varies by scope |
Use these ranges as a benchmark when you compare quotes from Chicago designers and agencies.
What Drives the Price
- Number of pages. A five-page brochure site and a 30-page site with service and location pages are different projects.
- Who writes the words. Copywriting is often the slowest part. Supplying your own text lowers the cost; having it written raises it.
- Features. Booking, quote forms, live chat, online payments and CRM connections each add build and testing time.
- Online store. Products, shipping, sales tax and payment setup make eCommerce the biggest jump in price.
- Design approach. A design built from proven layouts costs less than one designed from scratch around your brand.
- Ongoing costs. Hosting, domain renewal, SSL, updates and backups continue after launch, so compare yearly totals, not just the build.
What We Charge
We publish fixed prices so there is no guessing. You pay 50% to start and the balance at launch.
| Package | Price | Best for | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $800 | New businesses that need to look credible fast | Up to 8 pages, ready in 5 days, contact form, on-page SEO, Google Analytics, 2 rounds of revisions |
| Professional | $1,500 | Service businesses that book or quote | Up to 12 pages, custom design, copywriting for up to 5 pages, booking page, live chat, Google Business Profile setup, 3 rounds of revisions |
| eCommerce Store | $3,000 | Shops selling online | WooCommerce, up to 50 products, card, Apple Pay and PayPal checkout, shipping and sales tax setup |
| Enterprise | $7,500 | Larger sites and integrations | 30+ pages, custom templates, booking with payments, CRM and API integrations |
Hosting is separate and optional. Our WordPress Hosting starts at $4.99 a month on your own server, with a Chicago data center available.
Keep It on Budget
- Start with the pages that bring in customers: home, services, about, contact and one page per main service.
- Gather your logo, photos and service details before kickoff. Waiting on content is the most common reason projects drag.
- Ask every builder for the yearly total: build plus hosting, domain and maintenance for the first two years.
- Make sure you own the site and the domain in your own name, not the builder’s.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a cheaper website worse for SEO? Not necessarily. Speed, clear page titles, a page per service and a complete Google Business Profile matter more than the price tag.
How long does it take? Our Basic sites launch in 5 days. Larger builds get a timeline at kickoff.
Do I need a Chicago-based designer? You need someone who understands local search. We set up on-page SEO on every site and Google Business Profile on Professional.
Get a Fixed Quote
See our website packages. You will know the full price before you pay anything.