How much does a website cost in Bairnsdale?
When local business owners ask me what a website costs, the honest answer is that it depends on what the site has to do. A tradie who needs a phone number, a list of services and a contact form needs far less than a shop that takes payments. Here's what drives the price, what my $600 package covers, and the running costs people often forget.
Written by Adam CurtisPublished Last updated
What actually drives the price of a small business website
Time is the real cost of a website. Every extra page, feature or round of changes adds hours. The main things that move the price are:
- How many pages you need
- Who writes the words, and how much there is
- Features beyond a contact form, such as bookings, online payments, galleries or member logins
- How much custom design work is involved
- Whether content needs moving from an old website
- How many rounds of changes you expect
A clear brief is the easiest way to keep the price down. If you know what pages you want and have your details ready, there's less back and forth.
What my $600 website package includes
I offer a fixed-price $600 website package for small businesses that want a simple, professional site without an agency bill. It includes:
- Up to three pages, such as Home, Services and Contact
- A mobile-friendly layout
- Basic content writing from the information you supply
- A working contact form
- Basic search engine setup
- Social media links where needed
- Two rounds of reasonable revisions
- Help setting up your domain and hosting
- Launch assistance and a 14-day correction period after launch
No GST is added to the price. The completion timeframe is confirmed once I've reviewed what you need, because it depends on the scope and how quickly I receive your business details and photos.
What the $600 package doesn't include
Being clear about this up front saves awkward conversations later. The package doesn't include:
- More than three pages
- Online stores or payments
- Booking systems
- Advanced copywriting or detailed SEO work
- Professional photography
- Your domain and hosting fees
- Ongoing changes after the 14-day correction period
These can all be added. Extra pages, bookings, online stores and more detailed SEO are quoted separately, and larger builds start with the Standard package from $1,100. The full list of optional extras is on the website package page.
Typical running costs after launch
Every website has small ongoing costs, no matter who builds it. These are paid directly to the provider, not to me, and are separate from the $600:
- Domain name: about $30 a year
- Hosting: from about $130 a year, roughly $11 a month
Prices vary by provider and change over time, so treat these as a guide rather than a quote. Paying the provider directly means the domain and hosting are in your name, which matters if you ever change developers.
If you'd like a matching email address, such as you@yourbusiness.com.au, that's a separate mailbox cost. I can help with the setup through email support.
If you'd rather not deal with updates and small edits yourself, there's an optional website care plan at $59 a month. It covers hosting management, updates, backups, security checks and two small edits each month, with no contract.
How to avoid surprises when you get a website quote
Most website disagreements I hear about come down to the same few things. Before you pay anyone, ask:
- 1What exactly is included, page by page?
- 2How many rounds of changes are included, and what does another round cost?
- 3Who owns the domain, the hosting account and the content?
- 4What are the yearly running costs, and who do I pay them to?
- 5What happens if I want changes after launch?
- 6Is GST included, added, or not applicable?
Get the answers in writing. A good developer won't mind, and it protects both of you.
It also helps to have your logo, photos, opening hours and a short description of each service ready before you start. Waiting on content is the most common reason a small website takes longer than it should.
Do you need a website at all?
Not every business does. If most of your work comes through word of mouth, a well-kept Google Business Profile (opens in a new tab) can do a lot of the job for free.
A simple website helps when people want to check you're legitimate, see your services in one place, or contact you outside business hours. It's also somewhere you control, unlike a social media page.
If you're weighing it up, my website checklist for Bairnsdale small businesses covers what a basic site really needs. And if your business needs help with the computers behind it as well, there's small business computer support.
Common questions
Is the $600 website price really fixed?
Yes, for what's in the package. If you ask for more, such as extra pages or a booking system, I quote the extra before doing any of it. The price doesn't change unless you've agreed to the change.
Do I have to pay for a domain and hosting as well?
Yes, every website needs them. A domain is typically about $30 a year and hosting starts from about $130 a year. You pay the provider directly, so the accounts are in your name. Prices vary by provider and change over time.
How long does a small website take?
It's confirmed individually once I've reviewed your requirements. It depends on the agreed scope and how quickly I receive your business information, photos and feedback on each revision.
Can I update the website myself?
It depends on the platform used. Editing training is available as an optional extra. Alternatively, the $59 a month care plan includes two small edits each month, such as text, prices or opening hours.