For a .com, .net or .org (the big 3 "top level" domain names) there is no reason to pay more than $10 per year.  Other domain suffixes such as .biz, .info, .ws, etc. are generally slightly less.

For domain names, I recommend GoDaddy.com. They're very inexpensive, and once your domain is set up there's not much else to worry about beyond paying the periodic renewal fee, and even that can be done automatically.

Other than providing an inexpensive place to purchase your domain name, GoDaddy.com has easily THE most incompetent support I've ever dealt with. I STRONGLY recommend you DO NOT purchase ANY other Internet services from them.

They have a Silver Hosting Package for just $9.99 a month that will suit most businesses just fine (this website is hosted under that package).

Some people insist on making their own website, or they know a friend or family member who believes they can do it. No offense, but these sites usually look like do-it-yourself sites. The problem is, that subtracts credibility, the one thing you should be enhancing on the Internet. Ninety percent of the makeovers I do fall into this category.

I tend to focus on small business websites, but I can certainly point you to reliable firms that handle large accounts. They do good work at a fair price, know what they're doing and stand behind their work. Just ask.
 
Website design is a collaborative effort. The professional who designs and implements your website should work closely with you and be responsible for at least the following services:

• Careful consultation to determine the unique needs of your business. A good web designer is a good listener, and knows what questions to ask to learn about your business, its customers or clients, and what results you expect from your website. This is critical.
   
• Careful planning of the website layout, look and feel.
   
• Procuring domain names, hosting and other services necessary to breathe life into the website.  A website should rarely be delivered as a finished product on a diskette or CD; it should appear on the Internet, ready for use.
   
• Creation of web pages with your business content. This expense will depend a great deal on whether you are providing your own content, the web designer is providing the content, or some collaborative combination of both (very common).
   
• Creation of special graphics and artwork for your website. Some of this may be provided from you (e.g., your logo), or may be created from scratch by the designer.
   
• Consideration, where applicable, of how the website will be marketed to generate traffic (CLICK HERE for more information).
   
• Creation of intuitive navigation.
   
• All of these services should be performed within commonly accepted industry standards (e.g., easily readable HTML coding) that do not depend on the web designer's continued participation. If your web designer is (God forbid) run over by a bus, you should be able to procure the services of any other competent designer who can continue servicing your website as seamlessly as possible.
   
  Be cautious of paying for highly customized work. In many cases, your web professional may be creating more job security than Internet presence.

Pricing Examples

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$300 - $900