Website cost for small contractors in St. Louis (2026)

Updated October 15, 2026 · Bright Porch Sites

Contractors ask the same question every year: What should a website cost? The honest answer in 2026 is “it depends on who builds it and who maintains it.” This guide breaks down realistic options for St. Louis metro trades—plumbing, roofing, HVAC, electrical, landscaping—without inventing market-share numbers.

The costs most people forget

A website is not just the design fee. Budget for:

• Domain name — usually a yearly registration (price varies by registrar and name)
• Hosting / SSL — included with some builders; separate with others
• Build or redesign — one-time if you hire someone; ongoing if you use a managed service
• Updates — new photos, season offers, staff bios, service changes
• Lead forms / email delivery — free tiers exist; paid tools help when volume grows
• Your time — evenings spent in a page builder have a real opportunity cost when you could be on jobs

Option 1: DIY with a free or low-cost builder

Tools such as Google Sites, Carrd, or similar builders can get a basic page online for little or no monthly software cost (you still need a domain if you want a custom address). Best when:

• You are comfortable clicking through menus
• You can write clear copy about your services
• You will actually maintain the page after launch

Watch our free tutorial: How to start your own website.

Option 2: Local freelancer or small studio

St. Louis freelancers and small studios often quote a one-time project fee plus optional monthly care. Ranges vary widely by scope (brochure site vs. booking system), so get written proposals that list pages, forms, mobile layout, and who owns the domain and hosting.

Ask every quote:

• Who hosts the site after launch?
• How do I request text or photo changes, and what do they cost?
• Is the site mobile-first with click-to-call?
• Will you help with basic local SEO and Google Business Profile linking?

Option 3: Full marketing agency

Agencies that bundle branding, ads, and complex sites are the highest-cost path. They can be a fit for multi-crew companies with marketing budgets. Solo operators and small shops often overpay for features they never use.

Option 4: Managed monthly website (all-in)

Some providers (including Bright Porch Sites) charge one monthly fee that covers build, hosting, security updates, and routine edits. Typical structure for our St. Louis and nationwide clients:

• $199/mo — custom mobile site, hosting, click-to-call, small edits by text/email
• $299/mo — everything above plus lead/quote forms and Google Business Profile help
• Setup waived for our first 10 clients; 3-month minimum, then month-to-month

This model makes sense when you want the site to stay current without learning WordPress or chasing freelancers for every change.

What “cheap” often costs later

A $0 DIY site that never gets finished, or a bargain build with no mobile call button, can cost more in missed jobs than a modest monthly plan. Focus on outcomes: can a homeowner on a phone find you, trust you, and call you in under a minute?

Quick decision guide

• Have time and patience: DIY + Google Business Profile
• Have cash for a project and can manage updates: freelancer with a clear care plan
• Want it handled: managed monthly site with edits included

Whatever path you pick, own your domain name and keep your Google Business Profile accurate. Those two assets matter as much as the design theme.

St. Louis-specific tips

Local contractors often serve a mix of city, county, and metro suburb customers. Your site should name the areas you cover (for example St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Jefferson County) so visitors know you work where they live. Pair that with a Google Business Profile set as a service-area business when you do not have a public storefront.

If you already pay for truck wraps, yard signs, or Nextdoor boosts, treat the website as the place those leads land. A QR code on a truck that opens a slow or incomplete page wastes the advertising you already bought.