1. Embark
Website: embarkwork.com
Price Range: Starting at $5,000
Best for: Small businesses, Nonprofits, Startups
Top Reviews:
- “As a nonprofit, we’re always trying to save money… and they’re affordable. Since the [website] launch, we’ve had a total of 48,000 new visitors. We’re currently at an 82% engagement rate throughout the different pages, whether they’re blog posts, basic ticket information, or clicks to our social media pages.” -Natalie Ibarra, Communications Manager at NFCYM
- “The staff at Embark took the time to listen well, ask deep questions, and refine the product until it met our needs.” -Senior Project Manager, NFCYM
- “They were always very responsive and addressed our needs.” -Advocacy Manager, Global Social Service Workforce Alliance
- “We would hire Embark again, many times over!” -Executive Director, Nonprofit Organization
Portfolio: Check out our work
Pros:
- Specialize in various small business industries
- Great customer support and communication according to reviews
- Lower cost than your average web agency
- Well-rounded skillset for various digital marketing services
- Closer relationships with customers due to being a smaller-sized team
Cons:
- Prices can vary widely depending on your needs
- Boutique team size might limit capacity for very large projects
About Embark:
At Embark, we understand every business is unique. Understanding exactly what you need and delivering on that is our mission. That’s why we offer quick and clear communication at any point during our projects… When it comes to what you want, we want to check all your boxes.
We know you’ll be satisfied with our work, but don’t take our word for it—instead, listen to what countless satisfied customers have to say about our design skills. Our perfect 5-star rating speaks for itself, no bragging needed.
We specialize in web design for small businesses. Our design team has experience working with many industries. From startups, to nonprofits, biotech companies, religious organizations, and tons more.
Since the start of our agency in 2020, we’ve gone the extra mile for each of our customers. Building a lasting relationship with you is our goal, it’s more than just business. Schedule a free consultation to see if we’re a good fit.
2. Ninja Promo
Website: ninjapromo.io
Price Range: $3,000 to $15,000 depending on project scope and timeline
Best for: Blockchain companies, Financial services, Startups, SaaS, B2B
Top Reviews:
- “We have seen a huge improvement in our social media engagement and website traffic after working with NinjaPromo. The team is very professional and responsive.” –Co-founder, Blockchain Startup
- “Their strategy led to significant growth, improving our presence in the fintech industry.” –Marketing Director, Fintech Company
- “The website design service NinjaPromo provided has taken our company to the next level.” –CEO, SaaS Company
Portfolio: View case studies
Pros:
- Highly skilled in blockchain and fintech industries
- Comprehensive digital services, including web design and SEO
- Reviews speak highly of traffic and engagement increases
Cons:
- Pricing not as transparent, may be higher for small businesses
- Focus on niche industries like blockchain may not fit all small businesses
About Ninja Promo:
Ninja Promo specializes in web design, social media marketing, and digital promotion for startups. They specifically lean towards tech-forward industries like blockchain and fintech.
They provide a variety of digital services, like website development, helping businesses optimize their online presence. Their focus on innovative UX design and digital strategy allows them to cater to the unique wants and needs of companies.
Ninja is said to have a highly skilled design team. They thoroughly execute every little step of designing a site. If your business operates in the blockchain or fintech space, Ninja Promo’s design services are perfect for high-tech industries.
3. MainStreetHost
Website: mainstreethost.com
Price Range: Contact for pricing
Best for: Small businesses, Local businesses, Startups
Top Reviews:
- “Mainstreethost helped us revamp our outdated site and provided real value. We’ve seen increased traffic and new customer inquiries.” -Small Business Owner
- “Their team is always responsive, and we’re extremely satisfied with our new design. The SEO work is clearly paying off too.” -Owner of a Local Restaurant
Portfolio: Check out their work
Pros:
- Over 25 years of experience
- Strong focus on local SEO and small business growth
- Versatile skillsets and services
- Notably positive reviews
Cons:
- Pricing not transparent, you’ll likely need to contact them for a quote
- May not be as specialized in design as other dedicated agencies
- Larger agency, which can result in less personalized service
About Mainstreethost:
Mainstreethost specializes in creating user-friendly, conversion-focused websites to meet the unique needs of small and local businesses. They emphasize SEO and truly understand the importance of SEO in design.
They offer a full suite of digital marketing services, making them a perfect option for businesses looking to combine SEO, PPC, and web design under one roof. Since 1999, they’ve worked with thousands of clients, helping them grow online.
4. Straight North
Website: straightnorth.com
Price Range: Custom pricing starts at $6,000
Best for: Small businesses, B2B companies, E-commerce
Top Reviews:
- “Straight North delivered an incredible website that improved our lead generation. Our conversions increased significantly after the launch.” -CMO, B2B Company
- “Their SEO and web design expertise have driven a steady stream of traffic to our site.” -CEO, E-commerce Brand
- “The team was communicative, professional, and attentive to our needs.” -Marketing Manager, Small Business
Portfolio: Browse their portfolio
Pros:
- Tons of experience being in business since 1999
- Specializes in lead generation and conversion optimization
- Strong focus on SEO
- Reliable for ongoing support
Cons:
- May not be ideal for startups with tight budgets
About Straight North:
Straight North specializes in performance-driven web design, focusing on lead generation and conversion optimization for small businesses and B2B clients.
They’re known for their data-driven approach and deep understanding of SEO. Many reviewers praise them for these skills. If you’re a small business looking for SEO and conversion-focused web design, Straight North is your go-to.
5. CalTech Web
Website: caltechweb.com
Price Range: Starting at $99/month
Best for: Small businesses, Nonprofits, Local businesses
Top Reviews:
- “CalTech Web designed a beautiful website for our nonprofit organization. The team was attentive and patient throughout the process.” -Director, Nonprofit Organization
- “Their team created a clean, functional website that has helped us attract more clients.” -Small Business Owner
- “We’re thrilled with the results and highly recommend CalTech Web.” -Local Business Owner
Portfolio: Explore their work
Pros:
- Affordable starting price at $99/month
- Great for nonprofits and local businesses
- Reviewers say they’re highly attentive and compliment their customer support
Cons:
- Limited experience with e-commerce or highly technical websites
About CalTech Web:
CalTech Web is a small agency that focuses on providing affordable, functional web design for local businesses, nonprofits, and small enterprises. They have some impressive examples of design for charities and nonprofit and organizations.
Their customer-focused approach makes them a grest option for businesses looking for highly-personalized service.
6. Blue Archer
Website: bluearcher.com
Price Range: Starting at $5,000 according to Clutch.co
Best for: Small businesses, Enterprises, Nonprofits
Top Reviews:
- “We found Blue Archer to be excellent at bringing our website vision to life. We saw a significant uptick in leads within months.” -CEO, Mid-sized Business
- “Their team walked us through each step of the process, and the final design exceeded our expectations.” -Director of a Nonprofit Organization
Portfolio: Check out their work
Pros:
- Strong customer service and project management
- Highly experienced business
Cons:
- Less total reviews than some other companies with similar experience levels
About Blue Archer:
Blue Archer is a web agency based in Pittsburgh, PA. They combine creative design with strategic marketing solutions to create stunning websites for small businesses.
They pride themselves on offering tailored services, focusing on everything from branding to custom development and SEO strategies. Blue Archer has been serving clients for over 20 years, making them one of the most established web agencies in Pittsburgh.
7. HigherVisibility
Website: highervisibility.com
Price Range: Contact for pricing
Best for: Small businesses, E-commerce, Law firms
Top Reviews:
- “Our website was old and outdated. After working with HigherVisibility, we now have a modern website that reflects our brand perfectly.” -Owner, E-commerce Brand
- “They designed our law firm’s site, and it’s beautiful and easy to navigate. We’ve been getting more inquiries and phone calls since the launch.” -Managing Partner, Law Firm
Portfolio: Check out their work
Pros:
- Award-winning agency with a strong online presence of their own
- Comprehensive services for long-term growth
Cons:
- Less transparent about pricing
About HigherVisibility:
HigherVisibility offers web design services that are laser-focused on improving conversions. They specialize in responsive design, mobile usability, and integrating SEO directly into the design process.
They have one of the most established websites on this list, with nearly 40,000 organic visitors per month—much higher than most companies on this list. This says a lot about their SEO skillsets, displaying their competence in driving traffic from search engines.
8. ScienceSoft
Website: scnsoft.com
Price Range: We couldn’t find pricing, but they have a web development pricing calculator
Best for: Small businesses, Mid-size companies, Enterprises
Top Reviews:
- “They built a fully custom e-commerce website for us. The attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines was impressive.” -CTO, E-commerce Company
- “Their team’s technical expertise was evident throughout the process. We saw our bounce rate decrease significantly within the first month.” -Marketing Director, B2B Company
Portfolio: Check out their work
Pros:
- Highly experienced with over 30 years in web development
- Great for complex, custom web solutions
- Excellent for businesses that require technical expertise
Cons:
- Primarily focuses on mid-sized companies and enterprises
About SCN Soft:
With over 30 years in the industry, SCN Soft offers a broad range of web development and design services. They specialize in custom website development, e-commerce solutions, and digital transformation services for small businesses and large enterprises.
SCN Soft is known for their technical expertise, making them an ideal choice for businesses with complicated website needs.
Alternative: Freelance Web Designers on Upwork
Website: upwork.com
Price Range: Most charge around $15 – $150 per hour, depending on their experience and project complexity
Best for: Solo entrepreneurs, Small businesses
Portfolio: Freelancers on Upwork have their own portfolios. You can review their past work directly on their profiles.
Pros:
- Can be significantly cheaper than web design companies
- Very wide range of freelancers with different experience levels and rates
- Reviews and ratings for each freelancer make it easy to find reliable professionals.
- Flexible pricing options for one-off projects or ongoing work.
Cons:
- Quality can vary widely
- Individuals tend to be less trustworthy compared to companies.
- Ongoing support or long-term maintenance may be less reliable than with a web agency.
- You’ll have to do more research to be sure about who you work with
- Freelancers may be juggling multiple clients, which can impact turnaround times.
About Upwork:
Upwork is one of the largest freelancer platforms in the world. Obviously, it’s not a web design agency. But, if the companies on this list are too pricey for you, freelancers may be a better alternative.
Upwork gives small businesses so much flexibility to choose from a wide range of individual designers. This can be beneficial since you have much more control over choosing someone with a specific skillset, experience, or pricing.
Freelancers can offer super competitive rates, and sometimes are even willing to negotiate their prices. If you have a smaller budget, there are tons of pros to working with freelancers—just be aware of the cons too.
Should I Go With A Freelancer Or A Web Agency?
Choosing between a freelancer and a web agency depends on your project’s scope, budget, and needs. Freelancers usually will offer more flexibility and lower prices. This makes them perfect for smaller projects or businesses with limited budgets.
They’re a good fit when you only need specific services, like basic web design. However, web agencies provide a much better result if you need larger, more complex work done. They’ll typically have a team of experts in areas like design, development, SEO, and more.
For complex projects or businesses needing ongoing support and scalability—agencies are a much better option.
How Much Does Website Design Cost for a Small Business?
Web design prices can vary a lot. Here are some approximate prices designers charge during the “design” stage.
“Mom & Pop” Web Agency:
- First few drafts of design, usually free.
- $2,500 for a complete WordPress website or around $10k for larger eCommerce-style websites.
Enterprise Forward Facing Website:
- Roughly $25k to $70k for initial design phase
- Around 3 rounds of revision, usually with a UX specialist, designer, developer
Consultant:
- Stages can vary
- Around $200/hr
Freelancers:
- Most common Upwork and Fiverr hourly rates around $15-75
Are There Budget-Friendly Web Design Options for Small Businesses?
Yes, but it depends on what you consider “budget-friendly”. If you’re only able to spend $1,000 or less, it’s better to hire an individual. We think Upwork is the best freelancer platform, but there are other such as Fiverr, or Toptal.
Another cheap option is creating a website yourself. If you’re a solo entrepreneur and don’t need a complex site, this may be a good option. There are many DIY website builders that cost little to nothing. Some solid drag-and-drop website builders are Wix, Webflow, Hostinger, or Bluehost.
Choose The Best Web Agency for You
Choosing between hundreds of web agencies is not easy. This is especially true if you’re on a budget.
Any company offering web design services for small businesses can look good on paper. However, you won’t truly know what they’re like unless you do your research.
Consider everything—your needs, budget, reviews, portfolios, industry, and other details that might affect you.
Here at Embark, we create stunning websites that engage and convert. We’re an award-winning web agency for a reason—reach out to us to see if we’re a good fit. Schedule a free 30-minute consultation anytime.
