How much does a website cost in the UK?
The complete guide to UK website pricing. Learn what affects costs, typical price ranges by website type, hidden costs to watch for, and how to budget effectively for your project.
The Quick Answer
Plus ongoing costs: hosting (£50-500/year), domain (£10-50/year), maintenance (£600-3,600/year)
UK website pricing explained
"How much does a website cost?" is one of the most common questions we hear. The honest answer is: it depends. Website costs in the UK range from free DIY solutions to six-figure custom applications.
For most UK small businesses, a professional website costs between £800 and £5,000. This gets you a custom-designed, mobile-responsive site with a content management system (CMS) that lets you make updates yourself.
The wide price range exists because websites aren't commodities - they're custom-built solutions. A five-page brochure site for a local plumber has very different requirements than an e-commerce store selling hundreds of products, or a membership platform with user accounts and payment processing.
What determines website cost?
Website pricing depends on several key factors: design complexity (template vs custom), number of pages, functionality required (forms, bookings, payments), whether you need a CMS, third-party integrations, and who builds it (freelancer vs agency).
Understanding these factors helps you make informed decisions and avoid overpaying - or underpaying and getting a poor result that damages your business.
UK website costs by type
Typical prices for different website types in the UK market. Prices are for professional development, not DIY platforms.
Basic Brochure Website
Simple 3-5 page site for small businesses
Typically includes:
- Homepage
- About page
- Services/Products
- Contact page
- Mobile responsive
- Basic SEO
Professional Business Website
Full-featured site with 8-15 pages
Typically includes:
- Custom design
- Blog functionality
- Contact forms
- Google Analytics
- Advanced SEO
- CMS training
E-commerce Website
Online shop with product management
Typically includes:
- Product catalogue
- Shopping cart
- Payment integration
- Order management
- Shipping setup
- Inventory tracking
Custom Web Application
Bespoke functionality and integrations
Typically includes:
- Custom development
- User accounts
- Database design
- API integrations
- Admin dashboard
- Scalable architecture
Need a specific quote for your project?
Use our cost calculatorWhat affects website pricing?
Understanding these factors helps you plan your budget and communicate effectively with developers.
Design Complexity
Template-based designs cost less than fully custom designs. Bespoke illustrations, animations, and unique layouts require more design time and expertise.
Number of Pages
More pages mean more content to create, design, and develop. Each page needs to be designed, built, and tested across devices.
Functionality Required
Basic contact forms are simple. Booking systems, membership areas, payment processing, and custom calculators add significant complexity.
Content Management
A static site is cheaper than a CMS-powered site. WordPress, Drupal, or custom CMS solutions allow you to edit content but require more setup.
E-commerce Features
Online selling requires product management, payment gateways, shipping calculations, and tax handling. More products and variants increase complexity.
Third-party Integrations
Connecting to CRM systems, accounting software, email marketing platforms, or booking systems requires API development and testing.
SEO & Marketing
Basic on-page SEO is standard. Advanced SEO, keyword research, content strategy, and local SEO add to the project scope.
Developer Experience
Junior freelancers charge less than senior developers or established agencies. Experience often correlates with quality and reliability.
Hidden costs to budget for
These costs often catch businesses off guard. Plan for them from the start.
Pro Tip: Budget 10-15% Annually
Plan to spend 10-15% of your initial website investment annually on maintenance, updates, and improvements. A £3,000 website should have a £300-450/year maintenance budget. This keeps your site secure, fast, and competitive.
DIY vs professional website development
Both options have their place. Here's an honest comparison to help you decide.
DIY Website Builder
Very small businesses, personal projects, or those with extremely tight budgets who have time to learn.
Advantages
- +Lower upfront cost (£100-£500/year)
- +No technical skills required
- +Quick to get started
- +Templates are mobile-responsive
- +Built-in hosting and security
Disadvantages
- -Limited customisation options
- -Ongoing monthly fees add up
- -Template-based - looks similar to others
- -SEO limitations on some platforms
- -Difficult to migrate if you outgrow it
- -Your time has value (40-100+ hours)
Professional Development
Established businesses, those wanting to stand out, companies where online presence affects revenue significantly.
Advantages
- +Custom design unique to your brand
- +Better SEO potential
- +Scalable and flexible
- +Professional copywriting available
- +Expert advice and strategy
- +Ongoing support and maintenance
Disadvantages
- -Higher upfront investment
- -Takes longer to complete
- -Dependent on developer availability
- -Need to vet and choose the right partner
Our recommendation: If your website is important to your business revenue, invest in professional development. The difference between a £500 DIY site and a £2,000 professional site is often thousands of pounds in lost leads and sales.
How to budget for your website
Smart planning helps you get the best value and avoid surprises.
Define Your Requirements First
Create a detailed list of pages, features, and functionality before getting quotes. Unclear requirements lead to scope creep and higher costs.
Get Multiple Quotes
Request quotes from 3-5 providers. Look beyond price - consider experience, portfolio quality, communication, and included services.
Budget for Ongoing Costs
Your website isn't a one-off purchase. Plan for hosting (£100-500/year), maintenance (£600-3,600/year), and periodic updates.
Prioritise Features
Start with essential features and add nice-to-haves later. A phased approach helps manage cash flow and lets you learn what you actually need.
Prepare Your Content
Having your text, images, and assets ready can significantly reduce costs. Content creation often causes delays and budget overruns.
Consider Total Cost of Ownership
A £500 website might cost more long-term if it needs rebuilding in 2 years. Invest appropriately for your business goals.
Want a personalised estimate?
Use our free website cost calculator to get an instant estimate based on your specific requirements. No email required, no obligation.
Calculate your website costFreelancer vs agency: which is right for you?
Both freelancers and agencies can deliver excellent websites. The right choice depends on your project needs, budget, and preferences.
When to choose a freelancer
- Budget is tight: Freelancers typically charge 30-50% less than agencies
- Project is straightforward: Brochure sites, simple WordPress builds
- You want a personal relationship: Direct communication, single point of contact
- Timeline is flexible: Freelancers may have limited availability
Typical UK freelancer rates: £30-80/hour or £500-3,000 fixed price for small business sites
When to choose an agency
- Project is complex: E-commerce, custom functionality, integrations
- You need multiple skills: Design, development, copywriting, SEO
- Deadline is firm: Agencies have more resources to meet deadlines
- Long-term support matters: Agencies are more likely to be around in 5 years
Typical UK agency rates: £60-150/hour or £2,000-15,000+ fixed price
Questions to ask any provider
- Can I see examples of similar projects you've completed?
- What's included in the quoted price? What's extra?
- Who will actually be working on my project?
- How do you handle changes to scope?
- What happens after launch? Do you offer support?
- Do I own the finished website and all the code?
Web Cardiff website pricing
Transparent, competitive pricing for Welsh businesses.
Starter
- 5 pages
- Mobile responsive
- Contact form
- Basic SEO
Professional
- 10 pages
- Custom design
- WordPress CMS
- CMS training
E-commerce
- WooCommerce
- Payment gateway
- Product setup
- Store training
Hosting from £25/month. Maintenance from £50/month. All prices exclude VAT.
Frequently asked questions about website costs
Detailed answers to common questions about website pricing in the UK.
How much does a website cost in the UK?
UK website costs typically range from £500 for a basic brochure site to £50,000+ for complex custom applications. A standard small business website costs between £800-£3,000, while e-commerce sites range from £2,000-£10,000. The final cost depends on complexity, features, design requirements, and whether you choose a freelancer, agency, or DIY platform.
Why do website prices vary so much in the UK?
Website prices vary based on several factors: the complexity of design (template vs custom), number of pages, functionality required (contact forms, booking systems, e-commerce), the experience level of the developer, ongoing maintenance needs, and whether you need copywriting, photography, or SEO services. A freelancer may charge £500 while an agency charges £5,000 for similar work.
How much should I budget for a small business website?
For a professional small business website in the UK, budget between £800-£2,500 for design and development, plus £150-£500 per year for hosting and domain. Add £50-£150 per month for maintenance if needed. Avoid going too cheap as you often get what you pay for - a poorly built site can cost more in lost business.
Is it cheaper to build my own website?
DIY website builders like Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress.com cost £10-£40 per month, making them cheaper upfront. However, factor in your time (40-100+ hours to learn and build), limited customisation, potential SEO limitations, and ongoing monthly fees. For many businesses, professional development offers better long-term value.
What are the hidden costs of website development?
Common hidden costs include: domain renewal (£10-£50/year), hosting (£50-£500/year), SSL certificates (often included but sometimes £50-£200/year), premium plugins or themes (£50-£500), stock images (£10-£50 each), content writing (£50-£200/page), ongoing maintenance (£50-£300/month), and future updates or changes.
How much does an e-commerce website cost in the UK?
E-commerce websites in the UK typically cost £2,000-£10,000 for a standard online shop using WooCommerce or Shopify. This includes product setup, payment gateway integration, and basic shipping configuration. Complex stores with custom features, integrations, or large product catalogues can cost £10,000-£50,000+.
Should I pay hourly or fixed price for web design?
Fixed-price projects offer budget certainty and work well for defined scope. Hourly rates (typically £40-£150/hour in the UK) suit projects with evolving requirements. Most small business websites work better with fixed pricing. Always get a detailed scope of work regardless of pricing model.
How much do web design agencies charge vs freelancers?
UK freelancers typically charge £500-£3,000 for a small business website, while agencies charge £2,000-£15,000+ for similar projects. Agencies offer more resources, project management, and often ongoing support. Freelancers offer personal service and lower costs. Choose based on your project needs and budget.
What ongoing costs should I expect for my website?
Plan for these annual costs: domain renewal (£10-£50), hosting (£100-£500 for managed WordPress), SSL certificate (usually included), security updates and maintenance (£600-£3,600), content updates (varies), and potential feature additions. Budget 10-15% of your initial investment annually for maintenance.
How can I reduce website development costs?
To reduce costs: have clear requirements before starting, provide your own content and images, choose standard features over custom development, use proven templates as a starting point, bundle services (design, hosting, maintenance) with one provider, and avoid scope creep by planning thoroughly upfront.
Key takeaways on UK website pricing
Budget Guidelines
- Basic site: £500-1,500
- Professional site: £1,500-5,000
- E-commerce: £2,500-15,000+
- Annual running costs: £500-2,000
Smart Decisions
- Define requirements before getting quotes
- Budget for ongoing costs, not just build
- Compare portfolios, not just prices
- Invest appropriately for your business goals
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