Why are website design costs so different between freelancers and agencies?

Freelancers often have lower overhead and offer more flexible pricing, while agencies typically include strategy, UX design, and ongoing support—which can increase costs. You're also paying for a team, project management, and creative direction.

Is a $500 WordPress website a bad idea?

Not always—but you’re likely getting a basic template with limited support. Cheaper sites often lack customization, structured SEO, and long-term flexibility. If your business relies on trust or lead generation, a cheap site can actually cost more later.

What should small business owners budget for a solid website?

For a well-built WordPress site that includes thoughtful design, content strategy, SEO, and training, small business owners should expect to invest between $3,000–$7,500. This typically includes hosting setup and key plugins.

Website Design: Why The Price Gap Is So Big

Cheap websites ($400) use generic templates with minimal support. Professional websites ($1,000–$1,500) offer custom design, WordPress hosting, mobile optimization, and ongoing support. DIY platforms seem affordable but cost 40–60 hours of your time ($1,600+) plus lost business opportunities. The Affordable Web Guy, operating since 2008 with hundreds of SMB clients, provides balanced pricing: professional quality without ad agency costs. We build custom sites that reflect your business, grow with you, and include dedicated support. The price gap exists because real web design requires discovery, planning, optimization, and partnership—not just template swapping.

Here’s something many Colorado small business owners discover the hard way: website quotes can be all over the map. One week you’re looking at a $400 offer on Fiverr, and the next you see a proposal that’s five times that—and suddenly you’re wondering if someone’s overcharging you.

That’s fair. But here’s the truth: you’re probably not comparing the same thing.

What $400 Actually Gets You

A $400 website typically means a cookie-cutter template where your brand gets swapped in but not thoughtfully integrated. There’s minimal discovery, little customization, and support evaporates the moment it goes live. Often, the developer is 12 time zones away, which makes fixing broken contact forms or mobile issues a frustrating exercise in asynchronous communication.

The math doesn’t work because planning, copywriting, mobile optimization, and testing actually take time.

What $1,500–$4,000 Gets You (The Better Option)

At this price point, you’re getting something real:

A custom-designed site (not a template swap) that reflects your actual business
Built on WordPress, so you’re not locked into a proprietary platform like Wix or Squarespace
Fully mobile-responsive and optimized for search engines
A developer who’s still here six months later when you need adjustments
A foundation that grows with your business

Yes, it’s a one-page or focused landing page—not a 10-page brochure site. But it’s yours, and it actually works.

The Real Cost of Going Cheap

Many Colorado business owners think: “Why not just do it myself with Wix or Squarespace?”

The math tells a different story:

Your time: 40–60 hours to build and refine a DIY site. At $40/hour of your own labor, that’s $1,600–$2,400 just for your time.
Lost opportunity: Every hour you spend wrestling with templates and formatting is an hour you’re not running your business.
The hidden cost: When something breaks—and it will—you’re back in Help forums waiting for ticket responses instead of having someone you can actually call.

Most of our clients don’t want to become web designers. They want a website that works so they can focus on what they actually do.

Why the Gap Exists: A Photography Analogy

Think of it like photography. Would you trust your cousin’s new iPhone to capture your wedding in Estes Park? Or would you hire a professional studio that scouts the venue, sets up lighting, and edits every shot?

With a cheap website, you’re getting the iPhone version. With a real website, you’re paying for:

Someone who understands your business
Thoughtful design that represents you well
Ongoing support when you need it
A partner, not just a one-time transaction

See what our clients say.

The DIY Trap (And Why It Costs More)

You might think a DIY platform saves money. But consider:

You spend 40–60 hours learning the tool and building the site
You get zero dedicated support when things break
You’re stuck with limited customization
You own the problem if something goes wrong

Add in the leads you lose while figuring it out, and “cheap” becomes expensive fast.

We Stay Affordable—On Purpose

Since 2008, we’ve built hundreds of websites for Colorado small businesses. We’re not the cheapest web design shop in Denver, and we don’t try to be. We’re also not a $20K ad agency. Our goal is simple: professional websites for small business budgets, with the ongoing support that actually matters.

If you’re ready to build something real—whether you’re starting fresh in Aurora or upgrading a site in Douglas County—let’s talk. We’d love to have a no-pressure conversation about your needs and put together a solution that fits your budget.

Get in touch today