Website Costs & Help Marketing FAQs

Question 1

How much does it cost to make a website for a small business in India?

Accepted Answer

A simple 5–6 page website for a small business in India costs ₹10,000–₹25,000. A business website you can update yourself, with enquiry forms, WhatsApp and a blog, costs ₹25,000–₹75,000. Online stores start around ₹50,000. On top of that, budget roughly ₹5,000–₹20,000 a year for domain, hosting and upkeep.

Question 2

Why do website quotes range from ₹5,000 to ₹2 lakh for the same kind of site?

Accepted Answer

Website quotes vary because they are not quoting the same thing. ₹5,000 usually buys a ready-made template with your logo dropped in. ₹25,000–₹75,000 buys a site planned around your business, with proper text, forms and SEO setup. ₹2 lakh and above is for custom features, online stores or bigger brands. Compare what is included, not the headline price.

Question 3

What yearly charges will I keep paying after my website is built?

Accepted Answer

After launch you keep paying for four things every year: the domain name (₹500–₹2,000), hosting (₹3,000–₹15,000), an SSL certificate if your host does not include a free one, and maintenance (₹10,000–₹50,000 if you hire someone). A business email and paid plugins can add more. Ask for these costs in writing before the site is built.

Question 4

How much should I pay someone to handle my Instagram every month?

Accepted Answer

Paying someone to handle your business Instagram usually costs ₹5,000–₹15,000 a month for a freelancer posting a few times a week, and ₹15,000–₹50,000 or more for an agency that shoots reels, writes captions and replies to messages. Running ads is a separate cost on top, typically ₹9,000–₹15,000 a month for a local business.

Question 5

How much does SEO cost per month for a local business?

Accepted Answer

Local SEO in India usually costs ₹5,000–₹15,000 a month for a single-location business like a clinic, salon or gym. Fuller packages with regular content and link building cost ₹10,000–₹25,000, and bigger campaigns ₹25,000–₹50,000. Plan for at least six months before judging results, because Google rankings build slowly.

Question 6

How much money do I need to spend on Google Ads to get customers?

Accepted Answer

Most local businesses in India should start Google Ads with ₹15,000–₹30,000 a month for at least two months. Clicks start around ₹10 but cost much more in competitive fields like healthcare, real estate and education. Work backwards: decide what one customer is worth, then what you can afford to pay for an enquiry.

Question 7

What is the minimum budget to run Instagram ads for my business?

Accepted Answer

Instagram's technical minimum is about ₹80–₹100 a day, but that is too little for most businesses to see results. Local businesses like salons, gyms and clinics should plan for ₹300–₹500 a day, which works out to ₹9,000–₹15,000 a month. Run ads for at least two to three weeks before deciding whether they work.

Question 8

Do I really need a website if I already have Instagram?

Accepted Answer

Yes, most businesses still need a website, even with a good Instagram page. Instagram helps people discover you, but many customers search Google before calling, and Google shows websites and Maps listings, not Instagram posts. A simple website also builds trust, works if your account is hacked or blocked, and is required for most Google ads.

Question 9

Is a Google Business Profile enough, or do I still need a website?

Accepted Answer

A Google Business Profile is the most important free listing for any local business, and for some small shops it is enough to start. But most businesses do better with both. The profile gets you onto Google Maps; the website answers questions, builds trust and helps the profile rank. Google also uses your website to understand what you offer.

Question 10

Do I need a mobile app or is a website enough for my business?

Accepted Answer

Most small businesses need a good mobile-friendly website, not an app. Customers rarely download an app for a salon, clinic or local shop, but they will open a website from Google or Instagram. An app makes sense only when the same customers use it every week, like gym members booking classes or a store with loyal repeat buyers.

Question 11

Can I make my own website on Wix or WordPress, or should I hire someone?

Accepted Answer

You can build your own website on Wix or WordPress if you have time and a simple business. Expect 20–40 hours of work plus yearly plan and domain fees. Hire someone when the site must bring enquiries from Google, take bookings or payments, or when your time is worth more than the fee.

Question 12

Should I hire a freelancer or an agency to build my website?

Accepted Answer

A freelancer is usually cheaper and fine for a simple website, often starting around ₹10,000–₹25,000. An agency costs more but gives you a team for design, writing, development and support, with less risk if one person disappears. Choose an agency when the site must bring enquiries or you also want SEO and ads.

Question 13

Can I run Facebook and Instagram ads myself without an agency?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can run Facebook and Instagram ads yourself through Meta Ads Manager, and many small businesses do. You need a clear offer, decent photos or video, the right local area and a few hours a week. Hire help when spending more than ₹30,000 a month, getting leads that never buy, or short on time.

Question 14

Is boosting an Instagram post the same as running proper ads?

Accepted Answer

No. Boosting a post pushes an existing post to more people with simple settings, and it is mostly good for likes, reach and profile visits. Running ads in Meta Ads Manager gives you full control: who sees it, where they go, and what you optimise for, such as WhatsApp messages or form leads. For enquiries, use Ads Manager.

Question 15

Who owns my website and domain if the developer registered it?

Accepted Answer

Whoever's name and email are on the domain registration controls it, even if you paid for it. If your developer registered it in their own account, they can renew, move or let it expire. Check who owns it through your registrar, and ask the developer to transfer the domain and hosting to your name.

Question 16

Are ‘guaranteed first page on Google’ offers real?

Accepted Answer

No one can honestly guarantee a first-page Google ranking, because Google alone decides the order and changes it constantly. Agencies that guarantee page one usually pick obscure searches nobody types, rely on paid ads, or use spammy tactics that can get your site penalised. A good SEO offer promises clear work and reporting, not a fixed position.

Question 17

How long does it take to build a website for a business?

Accepted Answer

A simple 5–6 page business website usually takes 1–3 weeks to build. A fuller site with a blog, forms and custom design takes 3–6 weeks, and an online store 6–12 weeks. In practice, most delays come from waiting for the owner to send text, photos and feedback, so have those ready before you start.

Question 18

What pages and features should a basic business website have?

Accepted Answer

A basic business website needs five pages: Home, Services (or one page per main service), About, Reviews or Work, and Contact with a Google Map. It also needs a click-to-call button, a WhatsApp button, a simple enquiry form, your address and timings in the footer, and fast loading on mobile phones, where most visitors arrive.

Question 19

What is the difference between a static and dynamic website, and which do I need?

Accepted Answer

A static website shows the same fixed pages to everyone and needs a developer for most changes. It is cheaper, usually ₹10,000–₹25,000. A dynamic website runs on a system like WordPress so you can edit text, add photos, blogs or products yourself, and usually costs ₹25,000–₹75,000. Most growing businesses are better off with a dynamic site.

Question 20

What is the difference between domain and hosting, and do I pay for both?

Accepted Answer

A domain is your website's address, like yourbusiness.com. Hosting is the rented space on a computer where the website's files live. You need both, and both are paid every year: a domain costs about ₹500–₹2,000 and hosting about ₹3,000–₹15,000 for a small business. Keep both accounts in your own name.

Question 21

Why is my website not getting any enquiries?

Accepted Answer

A website usually gets no enquiries for one of two reasons: not enough of the right people are visiting it, or the people who visit can't quickly see why to choose you and how to contact you. Check your visitor numbers first. If visits are low, work on Google and ads; if visits are fine, fix the page itself.

Question 22

Why is my business not showing on Google Maps?

Accepted Answer

Your business usually doesn't show on Google Maps because the Google Business Profile isn't verified, has the wrong category, is suspended, or simply ranks below nearby competitors with more reviews and better details. Search your exact business name first. If it appears, it is a ranking issue; if it doesn't, it is a profile or verification issue.

Question 23

I’m getting leads from ads but none of them buy. Why?

Accepted Answer

When ads bring leads but nobody buys, the problem is usually one of three things: the ad attracts the wrong people, the leads are not called back fast enough, or the offer and price surprise them on the call. Start by calling ten recent leads yourself. Their answers will tell you which of the three it is.

Question 24

Why did my Instagram ads get likes but no customers?

Accepted Answer

Instagram ads get likes but no customers when the ad is set up to win attention, not enquiries. Boosted posts and "engagement" goals find people who like and scroll, not people ready to book. Switch the goal to messages or leads, give a clear local offer and a reason to act now, and reply to every enquiry quickly.

Question 25

How long does it take for a new website to show up on Google?

Accepted Answer

A new website can appear on Google within a few days to a few weeks once Google finds it, especially if you submit it in Google Search Console. But showing up when customers search for your service, like "physiotherapist in Anna Nagar", usually takes three to six months or more, depending on competition, content and reviews.