Hire a developer for a quick commerce app

What is a small business website?

A small business website has 5 to 10 pages. It includes a contact form, a WhatsApp button and a Google Map. These sites are for local shops, service providers, consultants and small teams. They need an online presence without complex features. It is not for e-commerce or apps with user logins.

Most small business websites have a home page, about page, services page, contact page and one or two extra pages. These may be testimonials or a blog. The contact form lets customers send messages from the site. The WhatsApp button opens a chat when clicked. The Google Map shows your business location.

For example, a salon in Pune might have a home page with offers. It may have an about page with the owner’s story. A services page lists haircuts and prices. A gallery page shows photos. A contact page has a form, WhatsApp link and map.

If you need more than 10 pages or features like booking, payments or member logins, that is a larger project. This guide covers only the small kind. For full hiring steps, see how to hire a developer in India.

Template or custom website: which fits your needs?

A template website costs less and lets you update it yourself, while a custom website costs more but fits your brand and mobile users better. Choose based on your budget and long-term needs.

Template websites built on platforms like WordPress cost ₹20,000 to ₹60,000. You can update content yourself using simple tools. But mobile design depends on the theme, and changes are limited. Most themes work well on phones, but not all.

Custom websites are built from scratch by a professional designer. They cost ₹1,50,000 to ₹10,00,000+. You get full control over design and features.

You can update a template site yourself after launch using the admin panel. With a custom site, you may need the developer for changes unless it has a content management system.

For small businesses starting out, a template site may save money and time. If you need unique features or a strong brand, go custom.

Consider AI website builders vs a developer if you want even faster setup with minimal cost.

How much does it cost to hire a developer?

This base cost covers a simple, static site with a few pages like Home, About, and Contact. Dynamic features, like a blog or product gallery, add to the work and price.

An online store (eCommerce) costs more, from ₹80,000 to over ₹5,00,000. This includes payment gateways, product listings, and order tracking. The final price depends on how many products you have, whether you need user accounts, and if inventory sync is required.

You may pay more if the developer offers ongoing support or SEO setup. Always ask for a breakdown of what each part includes.

Compare quotes based on features, not just price.

The exact time to build a small business website in India is not known. Also, the full list of steps in website development is not clear. Ask your developer for a timeline and milestone plan so you know when to expect each part.

how app costs are built Primary source: gitinfosys.com, Website Development Cost in India

Hidden costs: domain, hosting and maintenance

The annual cost for domain, hosting and email is ₹5,000 to ₹12,000. This does not include other services that add to your bill. Hidden costs like SSL certificates, content writing, SEO setup and maintenance can raise your total spend to ₹20,000 to ₹80,000 a year. These depend on how complex your site is and what services you use.

To avoid surprise fees, ask for a full breakdown before you pay. Check what is included in the developer’s quote and what is charged extra. For example, a basic WordPress site may need updates, backups and security scans, which some freelancers bill by the hour. Renewals for domain and hosting are yearly, so set a reminder to review costs before auto-renewal.

If you run a small business, think beyond the launch. Ongoing support matters as much as the build. Consider using software for small businesses to manage digital tools in one place.

Freelancer or agency: which is right for you?

A freelancer costs 30 to 50 percent less than an agency, as both gitinfosys.com quotes state. If one freelancer quits, your project can stall. An agency has a team, which removes that single point of failure. For example, if your freelancer falls ill, a solo hire means a stop; an agency assigns someone else.

Agencies often include support after launch, while freelancers may not. You get updates, fixes and help during the first few months. With a freelancer, you may pay extra for this.

Still, a freelancer suits you if your budget is tight and your site is simple. An agency fits when you need reliability, speed and long-term support. The choice depends on your risk tolerance, not just price.

For other projects like an app, read more on freelancer vs agency for an app.

Who owns the website code and domain?

You may not own the website code by default, even if you paid for it. Unless there is a signed assignment transferring ownership from the developer.

To avoid an automatic five-year limit on IP ownership, the assignment must specify a permanent duration. A clause saying "all IP shall belong to the client" is not enough on its own. Because Indian copyright law deems an assignment with no stated duration to last five years. Your contract should specify the duration of IP transfer. Because a clause that just says 'all IP shall belong to the client' may not ensure permanent ownership under Indian law.

For more, read about source code ownership.

How to write a clear brief for a developer

A clear brief helps your developer build what you need on time and within budget. It should include your business name, the website’s purpose, a list of pages, key features, and your timeline. Describe your needs in simple terms: what you want the site to do, who will use it, and any tools it must connect with. Answer questions like: Who will update the site? Do you have a domain? Are there legal or language needs?

As an estimate, assuming you run a local service business and want a simple site, your brief could look like this:

• Business name: [Your Business]
• Purpose: Show services, get calls and messages, share location
• Pages needed: Home, Services, About, Contact, FAQ
• Key features: WhatsApp button, Google Maps, contact form, mobile-friendly design
• Content source: You will provide text and photos
• Timeline: Launch within 6 weeks
• Integrations: None for now, but site must allow adding a booking form later

This matches whatsupports: scope, platform choice, integrations, and stakeholder alignment before development starts. A brief like this reduces the risk of delays or misunderstandings.

If you are unsure how to start, use our free app brief template to fill in the details step by step.

When you should not hire a developer

When you should not hire a developer

A developer may be too much if your site only needs basic pages like home, contact, and services. For such cases, a no-code website builder can be faster and cheaper to set up.

If your business runs on word-of-mouth or serves only a few nearby streets, an online presence may not add value. Ask yourself: do your customers search online before reaching out? If not, a Google Business profile or WhatsApp number might work better.

Short-term needs like event pages or one-month campaigns often do not need custom development. Look at how long you need the site. If less than three months, a template tool could save time and cost. See when a website builder wins to compare options.

Questions people ask

Assumptions behind the numbers

• Page count defaults to 5 as a conservative starting point for small businesses
• Features pre-fill with standard small business tools: contact form, WhatsApp, map
• Contact method defaults to WhatsApp for broad accessibility