---
title: What affects the cost of a website for a small business?
source: https://rubradigital.com/answers/what-affects-the-cost-of-a-website
site: Rubra Digital
language: en
description: The factors that decide what a small business website costs, from the number of pages to languages, booking and text, and how to compare proposals.
updated: 2026-10-08
topic: cost
also_asked: How much should a small business spend on a website? | Why do website quotes vary so much? | What are the running costs of a website?
---

# What affects the cost of a website for a small business?

**Summary:** The cost of a small business website depends mostly on five things: how many distinct pages it needs, how many languages it is published in, whether it includes functions such as online booking, quote requests or a shop, whether the text and photos have to be produced, and what happens after launch, such as hosting, updates and content changes. A focused site for a restaurant or local service sits at the simple end; a multilingual catalogue with a quote system sits at the other. The useful way to compare offers is by what each one includes, written down.

## The five things that decide the cost

**Number of distinct pages.** A restaurant with home, menu and reservations is a
different job from a window company with twenty product pages. Each page type
needs design, text and checking.

**Languages.** A second language is not just translation. Every page, menu, form
and legal text exists twice and has to be checked by someone who reads the
language.

**Functions.** A contact form is simple. A reservation flow, a quote calculator,
a members area or a shop each adds real work.

**Text and photos.** If you supply finished text and good photos, there is less
to do. If the copy has to be written from scratch, which is common, it is part
of the work.

**After launch.** Hosting, the domain, updates, backups and monthly content
changes are ongoing. A simple custom-built site needs very little; a WordPress
site or a shop with frequent changes needs regular care.

## Why proposals vary so much

Two proposals for "a website" can describe very different things. One is a
template with your logo dropped in and no text written. The other includes copy
written with you, a second language, the legal pages your country requires,
search setup and a handover. Both are called a website.

A very cheap site can be enough to start with. It rarely ranks, rarely brings in
enquiries, and is often rebuilt within two years.

## How to compare offers

Ask every supplier for a written proposal that lists:

- the pages and languages included,
- who writes the text and who supplies the photos,
- the functions included, such as booking, quotes or a shop,
- the legal pages and cookie consent,
- what happens after launch and who owns the domain and the site.

Compare the lists, not just the totals. Every Rubra Digital project starts with
a proposal like that, free and without obligation.

---

Source: https://rubradigital.com/answers/what-affects-the-cost-of-a-website
Rubra Digital. Websites, online shops, SEO and workflow automation for small businesses in Portugal, since 2019.
Contact: hello@rubradigital.com