If you've started asking around about a new website, you've probably noticed the prices make no sense. One business quotes $299. The next quotes $6,000. They both say "professional website for local businesses." So which number is real?
Both are, actually. They're just selling different things. This guide explains what's behind the numbers, so you can work out what a website should cost for a business like yours — without the sales spin.
No hard sell here. Just the honest version.
The short answer
For a South East Queensland service business — a tradie, cleaner, gardener, mobile service or small professional practice — most genuine, made-for-you websites in 2026 land somewhere between $1,500 and $5,000 as a one-off build.
Below that, you're usually buying a template with your logo dropped in. Above it, you're usually paying for a bigger business's needs — lots of pages, e-commerce, custom functionality — that most local service businesses don't require.
Where you sit in that range depends on a handful of things, which we'll get to.
The three price bands, and what each one actually gets you
Budget builds: roughly $300–$1,000
This is the "get online fast and cheap" end. You'll often see prices like $299 or $499, sometimes with a monthly fee attached.
What you're really getting is a template — a pre-made design shared by thousands of other businesses — with your details added. It can genuinely work for a brand-new business that just needs something online this week. But the trade-offs are real: the copy is usually generic, the design looks like everyone else's, and the "SEO" is often a checkbox rather than real work. If there's a low monthly fee, read the fine print — sometimes you don't actually own the site, and it disappears if you stop paying.
Good for: getting a placeholder online quickly on a tight budget. Watch out for: who owns the site, what the ongoing fee covers, and whether it can grow with you.
Made-for-you builds: roughly $1,500–$5,000
This is where most local service businesses should be looking. At this level you're paying for a website built around your business — your services, your service area, your customers — rather than a template.
A proper build in this band usually includes a plan for the pages and the message, website copy written for real customers (not filler), a custom mobile-friendly design, a contact or quote form set up properly, and the SEO foundations that help the right people find you. You own it, and it's built to make enquiries easier — which is the whole point.
Good for: established or growing service businesses that rely on calls and quote requests, and want to look as credible online as they are in person.
Premium and custom builds: $5,000–$20,000+
This is for businesses with bigger requirements: online stores, booking systems, membership areas, lots of pages, or a full brand overhaul. Agencies at this level give you a team — designer, developer, project manager — and the price reflects that.
Most local service businesses don't need this. If someone is quoting you $10,000 for a five-page website that just needs to explain your services and get you contacted, it's fair to ask what all of it is for.
What actually moves the price
Two honest websites can cost different amounts for good reasons. The main drivers are:
Number of pages. A single-page site costs less than a five-page site with separate service and location pages. More pages means more design, copy and structure.
Who writes the words. Good website copy is a real piece of work. If you write it yourself, you save money but spend time. If it's written for you, that's part of the cost — and often part of the value, because clear copy is what turns a visit into an enquiry.
Custom design vs template. A design made for your business costs more than a template, but it's the difference between looking like you and looking like everyone else.
Photos. Real photos of your work build trust faster than stock images. Professional photography is an extra cost, but often a worthwhile one.
Functionality. A simple contact form is standard. Online bookings, payments or quote calculators add complexity and cost.
Ongoing care. Some builds are one-and-done; others include hosting, updates and support for a monthly fee. Neither is wrong — just know which you're buying.
What "cheap" often really costs
A $299 website isn't a bargain if it doesn't bring in work. The real cost of a too-cheap website usually shows up later, as:
- Copy so generic it doesn't explain why anyone should choose you
- A design that quietly makes your business look smaller than it is
- No clear next step, so visitors leave without getting in touch
- No real ownership, so you're renting your own website forever
- Needing to pay again in a year to have it done properly
Spending a little more on a website that actually earns enquiries is usually cheaper than spending a little less on one that doesn't.
So what does it cost with The Local Enquiry Co?
Because you've read this far, here's the straight version. Our indicative starting prices are:
- Three-page starter — from $1,500. A polished home, services and contact site for a straightforward service business ready to look credible online.
- Local business website — from $2,800. A complete multi-page foundation for a business with several services and room to grow.
- Website care — from $149/month (optional). Hosting, updates, backups and small changes, so your site stays current without becoming another job.
Prices are indicative and depend on the actual scope — page count, copy, functionality and how ready your content is. Every final quote spells out exactly what's included before any work begins. No mystery proposal, no surprise add-ons.
How to choose without overthinking it
You don't need to become a website expert. You just need to ask three questions:
- What is this website's job? For most local businesses it's simple: help the right customer understand what you do, trust you, and know how to get in touch.
- Will I own it? You should. Check before you pay.
- Does the price match the job? A clear five-page site to win local enquiries shouldn't cost $299 — or $15,000.
If the answers add up, the price is probably fair.
A few common questions
Is a cheap website ever the right call? Sometimes — if you're brand new, testing an idea, and just need a basic presence this month. Just go in knowing what you're getting, and plan to do it properly once the business is established.
Why do agencies cost more than freelancers? Agencies give you a team and more capacity, at a higher hourly rate. A founder-led service or freelancer costs less and gives you direct contact with the person doing the work. Both can be excellent; it depends on what you value.
Can I just build it myself? You can, and some people do it well. Be honest about the time it takes and whether the result will represent your business as well as your actual work does. Your time has a value too.
Do I need to pay monthly? Not necessarily. Monthly fees can cover hosting, updates and support — useful if your services and photos change often. But you shouldn't have to pay monthly just to keep your own website online. Always check what the fee is actually for.
The honest bottom line
For a South East Queensland service business, a website built properly to bring in enquiries usually costs between $1,500 and $5,000. Cheaper than that and you're likely buying a template; much dearer and you're likely paying for things you don't need.
The right number is the one where the price matches the job — a clear, credible website that helps good local customers find you, trust you, and get in touch.
Thinking about a new website or a refresh? Tell us about your business and you'll get a practical recommendation and a clear quote — not a hard sell.