How to read the totals
The cash column is what you pay. The hours column is what the option asks of you every month. The total adds both, because a site you have to build, write and maintain yourself is not free; it is paid for in evenings. For a fuller comparison of each option, read how much a small business website costs.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a small business website cost?
A DIY builder runs $17 to $50 a month plus your time; a freelancer $1,500 to $8,000 upfront plus hosting and changes; a boutique agency $6,000 to $35,000 or more plus a retainer, in the ranges Gruffy Goat, a web design agency, publishes as of September 2026. Theo is $29.99 a month on Basic for the site and hosting, or $69.99 on Starter with the ongoing search work included and the first 30 days free. The calculator adds your own hours so the totals compare honestly.
Why does the calculator count my time?
Because on a DIY builder you are the designer, the writer and the SEO department. The calculator counts six hours a month for that, fifteen with the search work in your hands; six hours at $50 an hour is $300 a month, more than any Theo plan.
Where do the ranges come from?
The DIY, freelancer and agency ranges are the ones Gruffy Goat, a web design agency, publishes as of September 2026, the same ranges the cost guide uses, each noted under the table. Theo's numbers are its real plan prices.
What does ongoing search work include?
New pages and posts, technical fixes, page speed, submitting pages to Google through Search Console, and tracking. On Theo it is part of Starter and Pro and uses no credits; elsewhere it is an add-on, a retainer or your weekends.