Cheap website for small business: which option to choose and how to read a quote

A cheap website for a small business is usually built from a ready-made template, most often on WordPress, or made yourself with a free tool such as Google Sites. This suits businesses that mainly need to introduce themselves and receive enquiries. Before deciding, compare what each quote includes and whether you keep admin rights, not just the headline figure.

What a cheap website for a small business usually includes

Based on how web design agencies in Vietnam describe their services, a "cheap" website typically has these traits:

• A ready-made template. The agency does not design a new layout; it takes a template and swaps in your logo, colours and content. That keeps build time short. Some agencies advertise template packages delivered within a few working days.
• A popular platform. Many agencies state they use WordPress, which has an admin area for editing text, images and posts without coding.
• Domain and hosting bundled. Many packages advertise a "free" domain and hosting for the first year. From the second year you usually renew them yourself.
• Basic features. Typically mobile-friendly display, a contact form, chat buttons for Zalo or Messenger, an SSL certificate and basic SEO setup. Each agency lists different items, so check them one by one.

All sources acknowledge the same trade-offs: the design may look like other sites, customisation and new features are limited, and the quality of after-handover support varies widely between agencies.

Three ways to get a website and when each fits

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A cheap website makes sense when

• You mainly need an introduction page: what you do, products and services, address, how to get in touch.
• You are just starting out or testing the market and are unsure where the business will go.
• You are a household business, small shop or freelancer that needs a light online presence.

Consider another option when

• You need a shopping cart, online payment, member accounts or complex booking.
• The website is your main sales channel and you plan long-term SEO and content work.
• Your brand needs its own design and you do not want to look like competitors.

In these cases a template site can still be a first step, but ask about upgrade options up front so you do not have to rebuild from scratch.

How to read and compare quotes

Listed package prices are rarely directly comparable because each package includes different things. When you receive a quote, work through these steps:

1. List what the package includes. Number of pages, template, contact form, chat buttons, SSL, mobile display, basic SEO setup, number of revision rounds. Ask for this in the contract or an appendix.
2. Ask about costs from year two. If the domain and hosting are only free for the first year, ask about renewal fees for the domain, hosting and maintenance in later years. Check each agency's price page to compare.
3. Ask about extra charges. Some sources warn that certain agencies quote low and then charge for add-on services. Ask clearly how extra pages, extra languages, template changes or new features are billed.
4. Confirm who owns the domain and who holds admin rights. Ask for handover of the website admin account, domain account, hosting and source code. The domain should be registered in your business's name.
5. Read the warranty and maintenance terms carefully. "Lifetime warranty" or "12-month warranty" should state exactly what is covered: technical bug fixes, version updates, backups, or only phone support.
6. Look at sites the agency has built. Open them on a phone and a computer, check speed and layout, and ask whether those sites are still supported.
7. Ask about scalability. If you later need online selling or another language, can the current site be upgraded, or will it need a rebuild?

The DIY option: Google Sites

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If your budget is very tight, you can build an information site yourself with Google Sites. According to a guide from a marketing agency, the main steps are:

1. Go to sites.google.com and sign in with your Google account.
2. Click the plus sign to create a new site, or pick a ready-made template.
3. Name the site, change the header image, then use the Insert menu to add text boxes, images, layouts or embed files from Google Drive.
4. Open the Pages tab to add subpages such as About, Services and Contact; new pages appear in the navigation bar automatically.
5. Open the Themes tab to choose colours and fonts. Customisation here is fairly limited.
6. Click Publish and choose a web address like sites.google.com/view/your-chosen-name.
7. If you already own a domain, use the custom domain setting to connect it so the site looks more professional.

Limitations to know: no cart or checkout, few advanced SEO tools, and the site depends on Google's policies. The same guide recommends treating this as a starting point and moving to a platform such as WordPress as the business grows.

Do not skip your Google Business Profile

Whichever route you take, a business with a physical location (shop, restaurant, service venue) should create a Business Profile on Google. According to Google, this free profile helps your business appear on Google Search and Maps, lets you add photos, update opening hours and contact details, post offers and events, and reply to customer reviews. It complements a website rather than fully replacing one with complete content.

Common risks and how to reduce them

• Duplicate design. Ask how far the agency lets you customise colours, layout and images.
• Weak security. Sources note that sites using open-source code and shared hosting are vulnerable if not kept updated. Ask who is responsible for updating plugins and versions and for backing up data.
• Being abandoned after handover. Choose an agency with a clear support channel and a response time written into the contract.
• Hard to upgrade. If you plan to grow, prefer a popular platform so someone else can take over later.
• Losing the domain. Always keep the domain account in your business's name.

See also: Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace: which should a small business choose?.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a cheap website for a small business cost?

Each agency has its own price list and each package includes different items, so check each agency's pricing page. When comparing, add domain, hosting and maintenance renewals for later years, not just the initial build fee.

Should I use Google's free website tool instead of hiring someone?

Google Sites works if you need a simple information page or want to test an idea. If you need online selling, serious SEO or a branded design, a site on a platform such as WordPress is a better fit.

Can a template website rank on Google?

Yes, many packages include basic SEO setup. Rankings still depend on content, speed and how you maintain the site, so be wary of promises of a guaranteed top position.

What do I pay after the first year?

Usually domain renewal, hosting and possibly a maintenance fee. Ask the agency to list these items in the quote before you sign.