How Much Does a Website Cost in Charlotte, NC? [2026 Pricing]

Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina and one of the fastest-growing metros in the country. Whether you run a barbershop in NoDa, a consulting firm Uptown, or a restaurant in South End, your website is how most new customers find you. Here's what it actually costs to get one built in 2026.

Why Charlotte Businesses Need a Website

Charlotte's population crossed 900,000 and the metro area tops 2.7 million. With Bank of America, Truist, Lowe's, and Honeywell all headquartered here, the local economy runs on professional services, finance, and tech. The growing tech scene along South Tryon and in the University City area means your competition is getting sharper every year. Clutch's web development survey shows that local businesses investing in custom websites see measurably better results than those using DIY platforms. The City of Charlotte website has resources for local businesses looking to establish their presence.

If you're a contractor working the Plaza Midwood and Dilworth neighborhoods, a boutique on East Boulevard, or a food truck parked near Romare Bearden Park — potential customers are searching for you on Google right now. The ones without websites lose to the ones who have them. Simple as that.

Website Pricing in Charlotte, NC — The Real Numbers

DIY Website: $0 - $500

Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress.com let you drag-and-drop a site together for cheap. You'll pay $16-40/month for the platform, $12-15/year for a domain, and spend 20-40 hours figuring it all out.

Fine if you're testing a side hustle. Not ideal if you're competing against the 50,000+ registered businesses in Mecklenburg County. According to SBA's online business guide, establishing a professional online presence is one of the most critical early investments for small businesses.

Freelancer / Small Agency: $1,500 - $5,000

This is the sweet spot for most Charlotte small businesses. You get a custom-designed, mobile-friendly site with SEO basics baked in. A local freelancer who knows the Charlotte market can build something that speaks directly to your customer base — whether that's young professionals moving to South End or families in Ballantyne.

At Digitalwiz, we build sites in this range and we're based right here in the Charlotte area. We know the neighborhoods, the search trends, and what converts locally.

Premium / Full-Service Agency: $5,000 - $20,000+

Charlotte has no shortage of agencies along I-77 and in the Uptown area charging $10K+ for websites. You're paying for strategy, copywriting, branding, and ongoing support. Worth it for established businesses pulling in $500K+ revenue who need a site that performs like a sales machine.

Web Design Charlotte NC — What Affects Your Price

• Number of pages: A 5-page site costs less than a 20-page site. Most Charlotte businesses need 5-8 pages to start.
• E-commerce: Selling products? Add $1,000-5,000 for a proper online store.
• Booking systems: Service businesses (salons, HVAC, cleaning) need scheduling integration — $300-1,000 extra.
• Custom design vs. templates: Templates save money. Custom design wins customers. Google's page speed research shows that faster-loading, professionally built sites significantly outperform template-based alternatives in both user engagement and conversion rates.
• SEO setup: Basic on-page SEO is usually included. Advanced local SEO targeting Charlotte neighborhoods costs $500-2,000 to set up.

Hidden Costs to Watch For

The sticker price isn't the whole story. Budget for these ongoing costs:

• Hosting: $10-50/month depending on speed and reliability
• Domain renewal: $12-15/year
• Maintenance: $50-200/month for updates, backups, and security
• Content updates: Blog posts, new photos, seasonal promotions — free if you DIY, $50-100/hour if you outsource

Website Pricing Charlotte NC — FAQ

How much does a basic website cost in Charlotte?

A basic 5-page business website from a local freelancer or small agency runs $1,500-3,000 in Charlotte. DIY options start under $500 but take significant time and won't rank well without SEO knowledge.

Is it worth hiring a Charlotte web designer vs. someone remote?

For local businesses, absolutely. A Charlotte-based designer understands the market, the neighborhoods, and what local customers expect. They can optimize your site for "near me" searches that a designer in another state wouldn't think about.

How long does it take to build a website in Charlotte?

DIY: 1-4 weeks. Freelancer: 2-4 weeks. Agency: 4-12 weeks. Charlotte agencies tend to be booked out, so plan ahead — especially if you're launching before a Panthers game day or a major event at the Convention Center.

Can Digitalwiz build my Charlotte business website?

Yes. We're local, we build custom sites starting at $1,500, and we know the Charlotte market inside and out. Get a free quote here.

Bottom Line

Charlotte is a competitive city. From the breweries in NoDa to the law firms Uptown to the new builds in Steele Creek — everyone needs an online presence. Budget $1,500-5,000 for a solid site that actually brings in customers. Don't cheap out on something that represents your business to hundreds of thousands of potential customers. If you're also looking for the best web design company in Charlotte, or wondering if you need SEO for your Charlotte small business, we've got you covered.

Want more detail on general website costs? Read our full breakdown: How Much Does a Website Cost for a Small Business?. Or check out what businesses in nearby Huntersville and Matthews are paying.