If you’re a small business owner in the Macedon Ranges, you’ve probably wondered what a website actually costs. Not the “it depends” answer you get from most developers — a real number you can budget for.
Here’s what we’re seeing in 2026 for businesses around Gisborne, Woodend, and the wider Macedon Ranges area.
The Honest Price Ranges
DIY Website Builders: $15–50/month
Tools like Wix, Squarespace, or Canva sites. You build it yourself using templates.
Good for: Side projects, hobby businesses, or testing an idea before committing.
The catch: You’re limited by templates. As you grow, you’ll probably outgrow it.
Template-Based Sites (Local Developer): $2,000–4,000
A professional developer customises a quality WordPress template with your branding, content, and basic SEO.
Good for: Most small businesses — cafes, trades, consultants, community groups.
Includes: 5–7 pages, mobile-friendly design, contact forms, basic on-page SEO.
Timeline: 2–4 weeks.
Custom Design Sites: $5,000–10,000+
Designed from scratch, no templates. Unique layouts, custom functionality, possibly e-commerce.
Good for: Businesses with specific branding needs, complex booking systems, or online stores.
Includes: Everything in template sites plus custom design, advanced features, training.
What Affects the Price?
- Number of pages: More pages = more content = more time
- Custom features: Booking systems, e-commerce, membership areas
- Copywriting: Will you write the words or do you need help?
- Photography: Stock photos work, but original photos are better
- SEO setup: Basic vs comprehensive optimisation
Ongoing Costs (The Bit People Forget)
A website isn’t a one-time purchase. Budget for:
- Hosting: $10–50/month (shared hosting is cheaper; managed WordPress costs more but handles updates)
- Domain: $15–30/year
- Maintenance: $50–150/month or do it yourself
- Plugin licenses: Some premium plugins need yearly renewals
The Macedon Ranges Factor
Working with a local web designer has advantages:
- We understand the local market — tourists vs locals, seasonal patterns
- Face-to-face meetings are possible
- We’re invested in local business success (it’s our community too)
That said, don’t pay a premium just for a postcode. Compare portfolios, ask about timelines, and check references.
Red Flags to Avoid
- Quotes that are significantly cheaper than others (corners are being cut somewhere)
- Developers who can’t explain what’s included
- Anyone who owns your domain name (you should register it yourself)
- No mention of mobile optimisation
- No discussion of what happens after launch
Our Approach at Bollard Digital
We’re transparent about pricing because we hate surprises too. For most small businesses in the Macedon Ranges, we’re in that $2,000–4,000 template range — but built properly with room to grow.
Get in touch for a specific quote based on what you actually need. No obligation, no hard sell.
