How Much Does a Website Really Cost for a Small Business?

When I decided to finally give my little shop a proper online presence, I had no clue what to budget. Searching for “website cost for small business” gave me numbers all over the place — from €500 to €15,000.

How could something so simple feel so complicated?

If you run a local business like me — whether you’re in Spain, France, or anywhere across the EU — you deserve clear answers.

Let’s talk about the real price of a brochure site, affordable web design, and whether you need ecommerce even as a small local shop.

First Decision: What Kind of Website Does Your Business Need?

Before talking about prices, you need to know what you’re actually paying for.

Not all websites are created equal — and not all shops need the same solution.=

Here are the common options:

• One-page website: A simple scrolling page with basic info (who you are, what you sell, where you are).

• Brochure site: A classic 5-page website (Home, About, Services, Contact, maybe a Blog).

• Ecommerce store: A full online shop where customers can browse, order, and pay online.

Quick tip:

Even if you’re mainly a local shop, adding basic ecommerce options now (like gift cards, bookings, click-and-collect) makes your site future-proof.

It’s cheaper to build it once the right way than to rebuild everything later.

Website Cost for a Small Business: A Realistic Breakdown

Based on my research, my own experience, and speaking to other shop owners, here’s what to expect:

1. One-Page Website

• Cost range: €500 – €1,500

• Ideal for: freelancers, pop-up shops, simple service providers.

What’s included:

• Mobile-optimised design

• Basic SEO setup

• Contact form integration

• A Google Maps location

2. Brochure Site (5 to 8 pages)

• Cost range: €2,500 – €5,000

• Ideal for: most small and local businesses wanting a professional, flexible presence.

What’s included:

• Custom design tailored to your brand

• Basic copywriting support (but you’ll still need to provide input!)

• SEO structure (meta titles, page descriptions)

• Blog integration if you want to post updates or articles

The price of a brochure site really depends on how custom and polished you want it to be — templates are cheaper, fully custom design costs more but feels much more “you.”

3. Full Ecommerce Website

• Cost range: €3,000 – €30,000+

• Ideal for: shops ready to sell online (products, courses, appointments).

What’s included:

• Product pages and shopping cart

• Payment system setup (Stripe, PayPal, Shopify Payments)

• Legal pages (Terms, Privacy, Refund Policies)

• Basic training on how to manage orders

Note:

If you choose Shopify or WooCommerce, you’ll also have ongoing monthly costs for hosting, apps, and transaction fees.

What Affects the Final Price?

There are “hidden costs” that are not always obvious upfront:

• Custom photography (stock photos are included sometimes, but real photos are better).

• Advanced SEO services (basic SEO is often included, but real growth requires content marketing and backlinks).

• Logo and brand design (some agencies offer it bundled, some don’t).

• Maintenance packages (ongoing updates, backups, security patches).

Affordable Web Design: How to Save Money Without Cutting Corners

Everyone loves a good deal — me included.

But going for the cheapest offer without thinking long-term often means paying double later.

Here’s what I learned:

• Pick a web designer who specialises in affordable web design for small businesses — they understand your needs and budget better than big agencies.

• Choose platforms like Shopify if you plan to sell online — they’re easier to manage without hiring developers every time.

• Focus on essentials first: clear branding, mobile-friendliness, SEO basics. Fancy animations can wait.

A good website pays for itself. A cheap bad one costs you sales, reputation, and credibility.

Do You Really Need Ecommerce If You’re a Local Shop?

Short answer: probably, yes.

Even if 90% of your customers walk through your door, the other 10% — online shoppers, tourists, event orders — could become a significant boost to your business.

Ecommerce is not just about selling across the world — it’s about serving your local community better:

• Online orders for local delivery

• Booking appointments

• Selling gift cards or event tickets

• Seasonal promotions without the need for huge marketing budgets

If you don’t add ecommerce features today, make sure your website can easily scale to add them tomorrow.

Final Thoughts: Invest Smart, Grow Smart

For small businesses like ours, a website isn’t a luxury — it’s a lifeline.

Done right, it becomes your best salesperson: always open, always representing your brand.

The real website cost for small businesses?

Think around €1,500 to €5,000 for a proper, professional site that will actually work for you, not against you.

If you’re ready to create a site that feels like you — and one that customers trust — work with designers who specialise in affordable web design for small businesses, not giant corporations.

Supr Bueno gets it — because they’ve helped shops like mine succeed.

Want to know more about what your perfect website could cost?

Let’s chat ➔ hello@suprbueno.com