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Should you charge monthly or one-time?
A single upfront bill is the old way to sell websites. The business owner pays a large amount up front, then handles maintenance alone or pays extra every time something changes. Charging a monthly price spreads out the cost. It keeps hosting and updates together while keeping you in regular contact with the owner.
Many business owners find a monthly rate easier to approve and budget for. It also brings you steady work instead of a single check per client. If an owner still wants to pay once, you can charge a setup fee for the initial build and lower the monthly price.
85%
BrightLocal's 2025 survey of US consumers found 85 percent consider contact information and opening hours an important factor when choosing a local business. The monthly price covers keeping those details accurate whenever the business updates them. 1
What goes into your price
Consider four main factors to figure out your rate. Work through them in this order.
Your costs
Your expenses include your plan, the Hosting fee for each live site, and card processing. We list all of these on our pricing page. Set your client price above these base costs.
Your time
Factor in the minutes you spend each month making edits, touching base, or answering a phone call. The time per client is small, but it adds up across your accounts.
What others charge nearby
Look up what local designers list on their sites and ask owners what other quotes they received. You do not need to be the cheapest option in town, but your pricing needs to be clear.
What it's worth to the business
A roofer who wins one extra job from the site sees a different return than a salon taking weekly bookings or a café displaying current hours. Because the site brings different value to different businesses, your price can change depending on who you talk to.
What changes the price
Your four core inputs adjust based on the specific job. Different project needs will push your quote up or down.
- Extra pages like services, menus, or multiple locations require extra setup and ongoing checks.
- Whether the owner gives you the copy and photos, or you extract them from their existing web presence.
- Daily tools like appointment booking, online ordering, or customer request forms.
- The number of text or image updates the business owner expects you to handle every month.
- In-person visits to snap photos or extra help transferring a domain name.
Should you charge a setup fee?
A setup fee covers extra tasks during the first week of work. This includes taking photos at the business, transferring a domain, or gathering current prices and menus. Keep this fee optional and explain clearly what it covers.
Some owners say yes faster when you drop the setup fee and raise the monthly price. Others prefer paying upfront to keep their monthly costs lower. Pick the structure that works for a business type and stick to it.
Talking about price
Present your price clearly after the owner has looked at the website and pointed out something they like. Explain what the monthly price includes in a single short sentence. Then pause and let the owner speak next.
Saying the price
It is [your price] a month. That covers your site, hosting, and any text or photo updates whenever you ask, and you can cancel any month you like.
If an owner asks for a lower rate, adjust the work included rather than discounting your price. Offer fewer pages, limit monthly updates, or leave out the initial setup visit. Lowering your rate without changing the scope makes it hard to charge full price later.
Changing your price later
You can update your rates at any time inside your storefront settings. Existing clients keep their current rate, while your new pricing applies to future sign-ups. Check your rates after onboarded clients settle in to see how much time they actually take.
Setting your price in Ironstone
You enter your monthly rate while configuring your storefront settings. The app displays the lowest rate you can charge and suggests a starting price. Your client pays through your approval link every month, and you keep the difference above your base costs. Take a look at our pricing page to review your exact costs as a partner.
Read our guide on how to sell AI websites to local businesses to see where pricing fits into your sales conversation.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I charge a small business for a website?
Set a monthly price by looking at your costs, what local competitors charge, the value of a client to that business type, and the total work involved. You can also include an optional setup fee. There is no single correct rate, but the app suggests a starting price when you set up your storefront.
Should I charge monthly or a one-time fee for a website?
A monthly price is easier for many owners to approve because it breaks down the cost while covering hosting and site changes. It also builds a recurring relationship with the business. You can add a one-time setup fee on top if the project requires heavy upfront work.
What should a monthly website fee include?
Your monthly fee should cover the website, secure hosting, and basic edits requested by the owner, such as updating business hours or menu prices. Clearly state what is included so the owner knows what falls outside the scope of the monthly rate.
What if a business owner asks for a discount?
Adjust the project scope instead of lowering your price for the same amount of work. Remove extra pages, reduce monthly edit requests, or drop in-person photo visits to match a smaller budget.
Can I raise a client's price later?
Existing clients who already pay keep the price you originally agreed to. Any new price you set only applies to clients you sign up after the change.
What are my costs as a partner?
Your regular expenses consist of your plan, the Hosting fee for each published site, and standard card processing charges. You can review all of these items on our pricing page.