---
title: "Small business website guides · Cider Websites"
description: "Straight answers before you get a website: what it costs, how long it takes, how many pages you need, and how to get your business found on Google."
url: "https://ciderwebsites.com/guides"
---

Guides

# Small business websites, *plainly explained*

Straight answers to the questions people ask before they get a website: what it costs, how long it takes, what it needs, and how to get it found. Written by our team, with real prices.

## All guides

- [How much does a small business website cost in 2026? What a small business website costs in 2026: building it yourself, a freelancer, an agency, or a fixed price from $499, plus the yearly running costs.](https://ciderwebsites.com/guides/small-business-website-cost)
- [Do you have to pay monthly for a website? What you must pay to keep a website online, what monthly website fees really buy, who owns your site, and how to own it outright with a one-time build.](https://ciderwebsites.com/guides/do-you-have-to-pay-monthly-for-a-website)
- [How long does it take to build a small business website? How long a small business website takes: a few weekends on your own, often weeks with a designer, or a first draft in 5 to 7 business days with us.](https://ciderwebsites.com/guides/how-long-does-it-take-to-build-a-website)
- [What should a small business website include? What every small business website should include: the must-have pages and details, the nice-to-haves, what to leave out, and a checklist to use before launch.](https://ciderwebsites.com/guides/what-should-a-small-business-website-include)
- [How many pages does a small business website need? Most small business websites need 5 to 15 pages, larger firms more. How many yours needs, typical page sets for cafés, trades and firms, and how to plan.](https://ciderwebsites.com/guides/how-many-pages-does-a-website-need)
- [Website builder vs web designer: which should you choose? Website builder or web designer? A comparison of cost, time, design, upkeep and ownership, when doing it yourself makes sense, and when to hire help.](https://ciderwebsites.com/guides/website-builder-vs-web-designer)
- [Do I need a website for my small business? Do you need a website if you have Facebook, Instagram or a Google Business Profile? What each does well, where it falls short, and what a simple site needs.](https://ciderwebsites.com/guides/do-i-need-a-website)
- [How do I get my business on Google? How to get your business on Google: claim a Business Profile, add your site to Search Console, write clear titles, earn real reviews and get listed locally.](https://ciderwebsites.com/guides/how-to-get-your-business-on-google)
- [What is answer engine optimization, and how is it different from SEO? Answer engine optimization (AEO) explained: how it differs from SEO, and what helps chat-style search tools read, quote and mention a small business.](https://ciderwebsites.com/guides/answer-engine-optimization)
- [How do I choose a web designer for my small business? How to choose a web designer or web design company: what to decide first, 12 questions to ask, the red flags, and freelancer vs agency vs done-for-you.](https://ciderwebsites.com/guides/how-to-choose-a-web-designer)

## Rather we did it for you? The first draft is free

Tell us about your business and we'll do the rest. Questions first? Email [hello@ciderwebsites.com](mailto:hello@ciderwebsites.com).

[Start your site](https://ciderwebsites.com/start)

You pay only when you launch.