How Much Does a Business Website Cost in 2026? WordPress vs Next.js vs Website Builders

Short answer: a business website built by an independent developer costs $500 to $1,500 in 2026 and takes one to two weeks. That covers five to fifteen pages, a content system your team can edit, a blog, contact and quote forms that reach email or WhatsApp, English and Arabic if you need both, and the search structure that gets a business found. Running it costs a domain (typically $10 to $20 a year) and hosting from free to around $30 a month. The platform choice, WordPress, Next.js or a website builder, depends on who edits the site and whether it will grow into an application.

I build company websites in Next.js and WordPress. Delivered examples include the Linux Plus enterprise IT site, the Travel Joy Egypt multilingual tours platform and the QMS multi-region marketing site. The prices below are the ones on my pricing page.

What does a business website cost in 2026?

If what you really need is a single page for a campaign or launch, a landing page is cheaper and faster. You can model either with the cost calculator.

What drives the price up or down?

1. Number of distinct page templates, not the number of pages. Ten service pages sharing one template cost far less than ten unique layouts.
2. Design readiness. A finished Figma file saves a week; no design means the developer designs as well.
3. Languages. A second language with right-to-left Arabic adds translation handling, layout checks and duplicated metadata; see the Arabic and English Next.js guide.
4. Integrations. Booking, CRM, WhatsApp, payments or an existing database each add days.
5. Content. If the developer writes or restructures your copy, that is extra work worth paying for, because copy decides whether visitors contact you.

WordPress, Next.js or a website builder?

My usual recommendation: WordPress when the team already runs it or depends on a specific plugin; Next.js when the website is a sales channel that must be fast, found and extended later; a builder when the budget is tight and the site is genuinely simple.

Which pages should a business website have?

Short answer: one page for every question a buyer asks before contacting you. Search engines and AI assistants quote the page that answers the question most directly, so a single "Services" page listing everything loses to competitors with one page per service.

• Home: who you serve, what you do, proof, and one clear action
• One page per service, each with what is included, who it is for, typical price or range, timeline and a short FAQ
• Case studies or projects with specific results
• About, with real people and credentials
• Pricing or "how we work", even if it only gives ranges
• FAQ built from real customer questions
• Contact, with a short form, WhatsApp, phone and location or service areas
• Blog or guides answering buying questions ("how much does X cost", "X vs Y")

What makes a website bring enquiries instead of just existing?

1. Speed on phones. Most visitors arrive on mobile data.
2. Structured data for your organisation, services and FAQs, so search results and AI assistants understand the business.
3. Google Business Profile linked to the site, with reviews from real customers.
4. Contact everywhere: a WhatsApp button in the Middle East, a short form everywhere, and an automatic first reply.
5. Conversion tracking in GA4 so you know which pages produce leads.
6. Fresh, specific content, one useful article a month beats ten generic ones.

Launch checklist

• Every service has its own page with a clear title and description
• Forms and WhatsApp tested end to end; leads reach the right inbox
• Sitemap submitted to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools
• Structured data validated; Open Graph images set
• Analytics with lead events; cookie consent where required
• Old URLs redirected if you are replacing a site
• Your team trained to edit pages and publish posts

Frequently asked questions

How much does a business website cost in 2026?

From an independent developer, $500 to $1,500 for five to fifteen pages, a content system your team can edit, a blog, forms, two languages if needed and proper search setup, delivered in one to two weeks. Agencies commonly charge three to ten times that. Website builders cost less up front and more every month.

What does a business website cost to run each year?

A domain is typically $10 to $20 a year for a .com. Hosting ranges from free tiers on modern platforms for small Next.js sites to roughly $5 to $30 a month for managed WordPress hosting. Add a maintenance retainer only if you want someone to handle updates, backups and small changes.

Is WordPress or Next.js better for a company website?

WordPress if your team already knows it, you depend on specific plugins, or many non-technical editors publish daily. Next.js with a headless content system if speed, security and search performance matter most, or the site will grow into an application such as a client portal or booking system.

Can I just use Wix, Squarespace or Webflow?

Yes, for a simple brochure site that one person maintains. The trade-offs are ongoing subscription fees, limited control over performance and structured data, and a harder path to custom features. Move to a custom build when the site must generate leads at volume or integrate with your own systems.

How long does it take to build a business website?

One to two weeks once the content is ready. Content is almost always the bottleneck, so gather service descriptions, photos, team bios and client logos before the build starts.

Related: business website development and the direct answer on who can build a website for your business.