Cheap DIY Website Design for Small Business Owners: Costs, Tools, and Real Examples

1. Hostinger Website Builder

Starting price: $2.99/month (with promotional pricing plans)

Hostinger offers one of the most affordable entry points for small business websites without sacrificing quality with a free trial. Their AI-powered website builder can generate a complete site in minutes based on your business type.

Key Features:

• 150+ responsive templates designed for small businesses
• Free domain for the first year with annual plans
• Built-in SEO tools to help customers find your business
• AI-powered content generation tools
• eCommerce functionality on Business plans

2. Wix

Starting price: Free plan available; paid plans starting from $16/month

Wix balances affordability with powerful features, making it ideal for small businesses looking for more customization options. Their free plan lets you test the platform before committing.

Key Features:

• 800+ professionally designed templates
• Intuitive drag-and-drop editor with pixel-perfect positioning
• Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence) for automated site creation
• Built-in marketing tools including email campaigns
• App marketplace with 300+ integrations

3. Weebly

Starting price: Free plan available; paid plans from $10/month

Weebly is one of the most straightforward platforms for beginners, with an intuitive interface that makes website creation quick and painless. It’s perfect for time-strapped business owners.

Key Features:

• Simple drag-and-drop editor that’s extremely beginner-friendly
• Responsive templates that work well on mobile devices
• Built-in SEO tools for better search visibility
• Free SSL security on all plans
• Basic eCommerce features even on lower-tier plans

4. WordPress with Elementor

Starting price: $2.99/month for hosting + free WordPress

WordPress powers over 40% of all websites online and offers the most flexibility. When paired with the Elementor page builder, it becomes accessible to non-technical users while maintaining its powerful capabilities.

Key Features:

• Thousands of free and premium themes
• Elementor’s drag-and-drop editor makes design simple
• Unlimited customization potential
• Huge plugin ecosystem for any functionality you need
• Complete ownership and control of your website

5. Shopify (For Online Stores)

Starting price: $5/month for Starter plan; $29/month for Basic

If your small business needs robust eCommerce capabilities, Shopify is the most cost-effective solution despite its higher price point. The platform is specifically designed for selling products online.

Key Features:

• All-in-one eCommerce solution with inventory management
• Secure payment processing with multiple options
• Abandoned cart recovery to boost sales
• Marketing tools specifically for online stores
• Mobile app for managing your store on the go

Example 1: Sweet Treats Bakery

Platform: Wix

Monthly Cost: $16/month (Business Basic Plan)

Build Time: 2 days

What They Did Right:

• Used high-quality food photography to showcase products
• Implemented online ordering system for custom cakes
• Added customer testimonials to build trust
• Created a simple but effective menu page
• Integrated Google Maps for easy location finding

Budget-Friendly Solutions:

• Used smartphone for product photography instead of hiring a photographer
• Selected a free template and customized colors to match branding
• Used Wix’s built-in forms instead of third-party solutions
• Created content themselves rather than hiring a copywriter

Example 2: Green Thumb Landscaping

Platform: WordPress with Elementor

Monthly Cost: $7.99/month (hosting) + $49 one-time for Elementor Pro

Build Time: 1 week

What They Did Right:

• Created a portfolio of completed landscaping projects
• Implemented a quote request form for new clients
• Added before/after sliders to showcase transformations
• Optimized for local SEO to attract nearby customers
• Integrated scheduling tool for maintenance appointments

Budget-Friendly Solutions:

• Used a free WordPress theme (Astra) as the foundation
• Invested in Elementor Pro for one site instead of hiring a designer
• Used free plugins for SEO and contact forms
• Created a maintenance plan with their hosting provider instead of hiring an IT person

Example 3: Bright Spark Electrical

Platform: Weebly

Monthly Cost: $12/month (Professional Plan)

Build Time: 3 days

What They Did Right:

• Created clear service descriptions with pricing information
• Added prominent contact information on every page
• Included licensing and insurance information to build trust
• Implemented emergency service callout button
• Added customer testimonials with real names and locations

Budget-Friendly Solutions:

• Used Weebly’s simple editor to build the site quickly
• Utilized stock photos instead of custom photography
• Created a simple logo using Canva’s free plan
• Used built-in SEO tools instead of paying for separate services

Example 4: Handmade Haven

Platform: Shopify

Monthly Cost: $29/month (Basic Plan)

Build Time: 5 days

What They Did Right:

• Created beautiful product photography with consistent styling
• Implemented easy checkout process with multiple payment options
• Added clear shipping and return policies
• Set up automated email marketing for abandoned carts
• Integrated with social media for expanded reach

Budget-Friendly Solutions:

• Used a free Shopify theme instead of purchasing a premium one
• Created a DIY lightbox for product photography
• Used Shopify’s built-in tools instead of paid apps where possible
• Started with a limited inventory to test the market

1. Responsive Contact Form

Add this code to create a professional contact form that works well on all devices. Most platforms allow you to add custom HTML in their editors.

<form class="contact-form" action="your-form-processing-url" method="POST">
  <div class="form-group">
    <label for="name">Your Name</label>
    <input type="text" id="name" name="name" required>
  </div>

  <div class="form-group">
    <label for="email">Email Address</label>
    <input type="email" id="email" name="email" required>
  </div>

  <div class="form-group">
    <label for="phone">Phone Number</label>
    <input type="tel" id="phone" name="phone">
  </div>

  <div class="form-group">
    <label for="message">Your Message</label>
    <textarea id="message" name="message" rows="5" required></textarea>
  </div>

  <button type="submit">Send Message</button>
</form>

<style>
  .contact-form {
    max-width: 500px;
    margin: 0 auto;
    padding: 20px;
  }

  .form-group {
    margin-bottom: 20px;
  }

  .form-group label {
    display: block;
    margin-bottom: 5px;
    font-weight: bold;
  }

  .form-group input,
  .form-group textarea {
    width: 100%;
    padding: 10px;
    border: 1px solid #ddd;
    border-radius: 4px;
  }

  button[type="submit"] {
    background-color: #4CAF50;
    color: white;
    padding: 12px 20px;
    border: none;
    border-radius: 4px;
    cursor: pointer;
    font-size: 16px;
  }

  button[type="submit"]:hover {
    background-color: #45a049;
  }
</style>

2. Social Media Icons Bar

Add this code to create a responsive social media icon bar that links to your business profiles. Replace the # with your actual social media URLs.

<div class="social-bar">
  <a href="#" class="facebook"><i class="fab fa-facebook-f"></i></a>
  <a href="#" class="twitter"><i class="fab fa-twitter"></i></a>
  <a href="#" class="instagram"><i class="fab fa-instagram"></i></a>
  <a href="#" class="linkedin"><i class="fab fa-linkedin-in"></i></a>
</div>

<!-- Add Font Awesome for icons -->
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/5.15.3/css/all.min.css">

<style>
  .social-bar {
    display: flex;
    justify-content: center;
    margin: 20px 0;
  }

  .social-bar a {
    display: inline-flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    width: 40px;
    height: 40px;
    border-radius: 50%;
    margin: 0 5px;
    color: white;
    text-decoration: none;
    transition: all 0.3s ease;
  }

  .social-bar a:hover {
    transform: translateY(-3px);
  }

  .facebook { background: #3b5998; }
  .twitter { background: #1da1f2; }
  .instagram { background: #e1306c; }
  .linkedin { background: #0077b5; }
</style>

3. Testimonial Slider

Add this code to create a simple testimonial slider that cycles through customer reviews. This adds credibility to your business.

<div class="testimonial-slider">
  <div class="testimonial-slide">
    <p>"Working with this company was amazing. They delivered exactly what I needed on time and on budget."</p>
    <div class="customer">- Jane Smith, Company Name</div>
  </div>

  <div class="testimonial-slide">
    <p>"I couldn't be happier with the service I received. Highly recommended!"</p>
    <div class="customer">- John Doe, Company Name</div>
  </div>

  <div class="testimonial-slide">
    <p>"Professional, responsive, and high-quality work. Will definitely use again."</p>
    <div class="customer">- Sarah Johnson, Company Name</div>
  </div>
</div>

<style>
  .testimonial-slider {
    max-width: 800px;
    margin: 0 auto;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
  }

  .testimonial-slide {
    text-align: center;
    padding: 30px;
    background: #f9f9f9;
    border-radius: 8px;
    margin: 20px;
    box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
  }

  .testimonial-slide p {
    font-size: 18px;
    font-style: italic;
    margin-bottom: 15px;
  }

  .customer {
    font-weight: bold;
    color: #555;
  }
</style>

<script>
  // Simple testimonial slider
  let slides = document.querySelectorAll('.testimonial-slide');
  let currentSlide = 0;

  // Hide all slides except the first one
  for(let i = 1; i 

4. Call-to-Action Button

Add this code to create an attention-grabbing call-to-action button that encourages visitors to take action.

<a href="#" class="cta-button">Get Started Today</a>

<style>
  .cta-button {
    display: inline-block;
    background-color: #ff6b6b;
    color: white;
    font-size: 18px;
    font-weight: bold;
    text-decoration: none;
    padding: 15px 30px;
    border-radius: 50px;
    text-align: center;
    transition: all 0.3s ease;
    box-shadow: 0 4px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
    margin: 20px 0;
  }

  .cta-button:hover {
    background-color: #ff5252;
    transform: translateY(-2px);
    box-shadow: 0 6px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.15);
  }
</style>

5. Business Hours Table

Add this code to display your business hours in a clean, responsive table format.

<div class="hours-table">
  <h3>Business Hours</h3>
  <table>
    <tr>
      <td>Monday</td>
      <td>9:00 AM - 6:00 PM</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Tuesday</td>
      <td>9:00 AM - 6:00 PM</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Wednesday</td>
      <td>9:00 AM - 6:00 PM</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Thursday</td>
      <td>9:00 AM - 6:00 PM</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Friday</td>
      <td>9:00 AM - 6:00 PM</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Saturday</td>
      <td>10:00 AM - 4:00 PM</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Sunday</td>
      <td>Closed</td>
    </tr>
  </table>
</div>

<style>
  .hours-table {
    max-width: 400px;
    margin: 20px auto;
    padding: 15px;
    border-radius: 8px;
    background: #f9f9f9;
    box-shadow: 0 2px 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
  }

  .hours-table h3 {
    text-align: center;
    margin-bottom: 15px;
    color: #333;
  }

  .hours-table table {
    width: 100%;
    border-collapse: collapse;
  }

  .hours-table td {
    padding: 8px;
    border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;
  }

  .hours-table tr:last-child td {
    border-bottom: none;
  }

  .hours-table tr td:first-child {
    font-weight: bold;
  }

  @media (max-width: 480px) {
    .hours-table {
      padding: 10px;
    }

    .hours-table td {
      padding: 6px;
    }
  }
</style>

1. Slow Loading Speeds

The Problem: Pages that take more than 3 seconds to load can lose up to 40% of visitors and harm your search rankings.

How to Avoid:

• Optimize all images before uploading (use tools like TinyPNG)
• Limit the number of plugins and scripts
• Choose a fast, reliable hosting provider
• Enable browser caching if your platform allows it
• Use a content delivery network (CDN) for larger sites

2. Poor Mobile Experience

The Problem: Over 60% of web traffic comes from mobile devices, yet many DIY websites aren’t properly optimized for small screens.

How to Avoid:

• Choose mobile-responsive templates from the start
• Test your site on multiple devices and screen sizes
• Ensure buttons and links are large enough to tap on mobile
• Simplify navigation for smaller screens
• Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool to check your site

3. Unclear Value Proposition

The Problem: Visitors often leave websites within 15 seconds if they can’t immediately understand what the business offers and why they should care.

How to Avoid:

• Create a clear, compelling headline that explains what you do
• Add a brief subheading that highlights your unique value
• Place this information “above the fold” (visible without scrolling)
• Include a strong call-to-action button
• Use customer-focused language (benefits, not features)

4. Neglecting SEO Basics

The Problem: Without basic SEO, your website won’t appear in search results, making it difficult for potential customers to find you.

How to Avoid:

• Research keywords relevant to your business and location
• Include these keywords naturally in your content, titles, and headings
• Create unique meta titles and descriptions for each page
• Add alt text to all images
• Ensure your site is mobile-friendly and loads quickly

5. Complicated Navigation

The Problem: Confusing menus and poor site structure frustrate visitors and increase bounce rates.

How to Avoid:

• Limit main navigation to 5-7 items
• Use clear, descriptive labels for menu items
• Implement a logical hierarchy for your pages
• Include a search function for larger sites
• Ensure visitors can reach any page in 3 clicks or less

6. Missing or Ineffective Calls-to-Action

The Problem: Without clear guidance on what to do next, visitors leave without taking the actions that drive your business.

How to Avoid:

• Include a primary CTA on every page
• Use action-oriented language (“Get Started,” “Book Now”)
• Make buttons visually stand out with contrasting colors
• Position CTAs in prominent locations
• Test different CTAs to see which performs best