“How much does a website cost?” is one of the most Googled questions in the small business world — and the answer ranges from “almost nothing” to “more than your first car.” That range exists because different types of websites serve completely different purposes. Here’s what’s actually going on at each level.
DIY website builders: £0–£30/month
Platforms like Wix, Squarespace and WordPress.com let you build a basic website without any technical knowledge. The monthly cost is low, the interface is visual, and for a brand new sole trader testing the waters, they’re a reasonable starting point.
The trade-offs are real though. Templates look like templates. Performance is often poor on mobile. Customisation hits a hard ceiling quickly. And crucially, the time you spend wrestling with a page builder is time not spent on your actual business.
If your business is at the stage where your website is a genuine sales tool — something customers see before deciding whether to contact you — a DIY site often costs more in lost enquiries than it saves in subscription fees.
Freelancer: £500–£2,000
A capable freelance web designer can build a professional, custom website in this range. For many small businesses, this is the right investment at the right time. You get something that looks and performs well, built by someone who knows what they’re doing.
The risk at this level is variation. The range between a good freelancer and a poor one is enormous, and it’s not always obvious which you’re getting until the project is done. Always ask to see recent work, ask for references, and make sure SEO and mobile performance are part of the brief.
Our web design packages start at £799 for a sharp, hand-coded single landing page — and £1,299 for a full multi-page site. Both include on-page SEO, Google Analytics, and 30-day post-launch support.
Small agency: £2,000–£8,000
At this level you’re paying for a team — typically a project manager, a designer, and a developer working together. The process is more structured, communication is clearer, and the deliverable is more polished.
This is the right budget for businesses where the website is a primary revenue driver, where multiple integrations are needed (booking systems, e-commerce, CRM connections), or where the brand demands a premium execution.
Established agency: £8,000–£25,000+
Large-scale projects, enterprise e-commerce, complex custom builds and platforms with ongoing development needs. The price reflects the scope, the team size, and the level of strategic input. For most small businesses, this is overkill — but for the right project, it’s the right investment.
What you should never skimp on
Whatever you pay, make sure these are included:
- Mobile-first, responsive design — over 60% of UK traffic is mobile
- On-page SEO from day one — title tags, meta descriptions, proper heading structure
- Fast load times — aim for 90+ PageSpeed on Google’s tool
- A working contact form with spam protection
- Google Analytics setup so you can measure what’s happening
The real question to ask
Don’t ask “what’s the cheapest website I can get?” Ask “what does a well-built website need to achieve for my business, and what’s the return on getting that right?”
A £1,299 website that generates two extra enquiries per month is worth more than a £200 website that generates none. The cost of a website isn’t the number on the invoice — it’s the opportunity cost of getting it wrong.
If you’re weighing up your options, get in touch for a no-obligation chat. We’ll give you an honest assessment of what your business actually needs.