"How much does a website cost?" has three honest answers, depending on how you buy it: do it yourself, pay someone by the hour, or buy a fixed-price package. Here is how they compare for a small business in 2026.
1. Do it yourself with a website builder
Builders such as Wix, Squarespace or Shopify charge a monthly subscription, plus a domain. The real cost is your time: most owners spend days on layout, copy and settings, and the result often lacks basic SEO and a clear call to action.
Best for: people who enjoy design and have time to learn.
2. Hire a freelancer by the hour
Hourly rates on marketplaces vary from budget to premium. Hourly billing is flexible, but the final bill depends on how many rounds of changes you need, which makes budgeting hard.
Best for: complex or unusual projects where the scope is still changing.
3. Buy a fixed-price website package
A productized package states the pages, features, revisions and delivery time before you pay. You know the total on day one.
Best for: small businesses that need a professional site quickly and want a fixed budget.
What a fixed price should include
- A set number of pages (for example up to 5), mobile-friendly
- Your logo, colours and fonts applied
- Basic on-page SEO: titles, descriptions, image alt text
- A contact form and clear buttons
- A stated number of revision rounds and a delivery window
Our fixed-price options
Business Website: AED 899 (about US$245). Up to 5 pages, mobile-friendly, basic SEO, contact form, 2 revision rounds. Start with a 50% deposit and pay the rest when your site is ready to launch. Start with the 50% deposit.
Website + Logo + Business Cards: AED 1,099 (about US$299). Everything a new business needs to look professional online and in person, also available with a 50% deposit. See the bundle.
After launch, a monthly website care plan from AED 180 (about US$49) keeps the site updated, backed up and secure.
Hidden costs to ask about, whoever builds your site
- Domain name and hosting (usually billed by those providers)
- Paid themes, plugins or apps
- Copywriting and photos
- Changes after launch
Questions or a custom quote? Email info@eportalnow.com.