Startup Website on a Budget: What to Build First
By Rome Thorndike
Start With Less Than You Think
Early-stage startups do not need a 20-page website. They need one page that clearly explains what they do and captures interested visitors. Everything else is premature optimization.
The minimum viable website is a single landing page with: a clear headline stating what you do and for whom, a brief explanation of how it works, social proof if you have it (logos, testimonials, metrics), and a CTA (email capture, demo request, waitlist).
This page can launch in 1 to 2 weeks and cost under $2,000. It gives you a URL to share with investors, customers, and partners while you build the product.
The Build Order
Phase 1: Landing page. $1,500 to $2,500. One page, one CTA, mobile-responsive, 90+ PageSpeed. Enough to validate messaging and capture leads.
Phase 2: Multi-page site. Add About, Features (or How It Works), and Pricing pages when you have product-market fit signals. $3,000 to $6,000.
Phase 3: Content and SEO. Blog, comparison pages, integration pages. Start when you are ready to invest in organic growth. This is where programmatic SEO and hub-and-spoke content pay off.
Do not build Phase 3 before you have Phase 1 working. A beautiful 30-page site for a product nobody wants is a waste of budget. Start lean, validate, then invest.
Why Static Over Squarespace or Wix
Startups default to Squarespace or Wix because they seem free. But:
- Speed: Squarespace scores 40-65 on mobile PageSpeed. First impressions matter — a slow site signals an unpolished product.
- Cost: Squarespace costs $192-588/year. Static hosting costs $0. Over 3 years, static saves $576-1,764.
- Scalability: A static landing page extends into a full marketing site without platform migration. Start on Squarespace and you will rebuild later when you outgrow it.
- Ownership: You own every file. No vendor lock-in. Move hosts, change nothing.
Get Started
We build websites for startups at every stage. Landing pages start at $1,500. Full sites start at $3,000. No recurring platform fees. No rebuilds when you scale.
Tell us about your startup and we will recommend the right scope for your stage and budget. See our full pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I start with a landing page and add pages later?
Yes. This is the recommended approach. A well-built landing page extends into a multi-page site without rebuilding. We design landing pages with this extensibility in mind.
How long does a startup landing page take?
1 to 2 weeks from kickoff. The main variable is content readiness. If you can provide your messaging, value proposition, and assets (logo, screenshots) in week 1, we can deliver in week 2.
Should I build a website before I have a product?
Yes. A landing page with a waitlist or email capture validates demand before you build. If nobody signs up, you have learned something valuable without spending months on product development. The website is part of your validation process, not a post-product activity.
Ready to Fill Your Next Event?
We build the page, set up the pixels, and run the ads. You run the event.