Creating a new website is one of the biggest and most important investments a small business will make. A good website can bring leads, sales and credibility, while a poor one can actually drive customers away.
One of the first questions every business owner asks is:
“How much does a small business website cost in the UK?”
If you’ve searched online already, you’ve probably seen wildly different answers. Some companies advertise websites for £199, while others charge £5,000+. The truth is that both can be correct, depending on what you need your website to do.
This guide breaks down real-world UK pricing, explains what you’re actually paying for, and helps you understand what’s right for your business.
Why Website Costs Vary So Much
The reason pricing varies is simple: not all websites are the same.
A website could be:
- a simple one-page brochure site
- a multi-page small business site
- a full ecommerce shop
- a booking or membership platform
- a custom-built web application
Just like cars, websites come in different models and specifications.
You’re not just paying for “pages on the internet”. A professional web design project can include:
- research and planning
- design and prototyping
- content planning or copywriting
- development and integration
- mobile optimisation
- on-page SEO
- testing, launch and training
The amount of time and expertise involved changes the price.
Option 1: DIY Website Builders (Cheapest Upfront)
Platforms like Wix, Squarespace and similar tools allow you to build your own website using drag-and-drop editors.
Typical Costs
- Platform subscriptions: roughly £10–£30 per month
- Domain name: around £8–£20 per year
- Optional premium templates or apps: extra costs
Advantages
- Lowest financial cost to get started
- Quick to get something online
- No coding skills needed
- Hosting is usually included
Disadvantages
- Your site may look like many others using the same templates
- Limited control over more advanced SEO and performance
- It’s easy to make design mistakes that hurt conversion
- You do all the work yourself
- Migrating to another platform later can be painful
Best for: hobbies, very early-stage ideas and businesses where the website is not yet critical for revenue.
Option 2: Freelance Web Designer
Hiring a freelancer sits between DIY and a full agency. You’re paying for a single person’s time and expertise.
Typical UK Pricing
- Simple brochure website: around £400–£1,200
- Small business site: around £800–£2,000
- Basic ecommerce site: around £1,200–£3,000
Advantages
- More personal service than a large agency
- Usually cheaper than a full agency
- Direct communication with the person doing the work
- Flexible, with room for custom requirements
Disadvantages
- Quality and reliability can vary hugely between freelancers
- Availability may be limited (holidays, illness, other projects)
- You may be reliant on one person for everything
A good freelancer can be excellent value. A poor one can end up costing you more in fixes and lost time.
Option 3: Web Design Agency
A web design agency usually provides a team: designers, developers, copywriters and SEO specialists, plus project management.
Typical UK Pricing
- Small business website: around £1,500–£6,000+
- Ecommerce website: around £2,500–£15,000+ depending on complexity
Advantages
- Higher design and build quality
- Access to multiple skill sets (SEO, UX, copywriting, dev)
- Usually faster turnaround and better processes
- Long-term support and maintenance options
Disadvantages
- Higher upfront cost than DIY or many freelancers
If your website is central to how you get business, this level of investment often makes sense.
How Much Does an Ecommerce Website Cost in the UK?
Ecommerce websites cost more because they must handle:
- product catalogues and categories
- shopping carts and checkout flows
- payment gateway integration
- shipping, tax and VAT rules
- customer accounts and order history
Typical UK Price Ranges
- Small shop (up to ~50 products): £1,200–£3,500
- Medium store: £3,500–£8,000
- Larger or custom stores: £8,000+ depending on requirements
Additional ongoing costs may include transaction fees, premium plugins, additional security and specialised hosting.
What Affects the Cost of a Website?
The main factors are:
1. Number of Pages
A simple 5-page site is cheaper than a 30-page site with lots of unique templates and content.
2. Design Complexity
Template-based layouts are faster and cheaper than fully bespoke design.
3. Functionality
Extra features like booking systems, membership areas, multi-language support or custom integrations increase cost.
4. Content Writing
If you provide all copy, it’s cheaper. If the designer or a copywriter creates or rewrites content, this adds to the budget.
5. SEO Requirements
Basic on-page SEO should be standard. More advanced SEO or content strategy is often quoted separately.
6. Ongoing Support
Do you just want the website built, or do you want help maintaining, updating and improving it? Support packages cost more but protect your investment.
Hidden Costs Many People Forget
It’s easy to forget about:
- domain renewals
- hosting costs
- SSL certificates (often included, but not always)
- software and plugin licenses
- maintenance and security
A website is not just a one-off purchase — it’s something that needs looking after.
Ongoing Website Costs Explained
Hosting
Expect anything from £5 a month for basic shared hosting up to £25+ for higher performance, managed hosting.
Maintenance & Updates
Websites need updates to plugins, themes and core systems (like WordPress) to stay secure and stable. You can learn to do this yourself or pay for a maintenance plan.
Managed website care plans typically range from around £20–£100+ per month depending on what’s included.
SEO & Marketing
Ongoing SEO and marketing can be:
- one-off optimisation work
- monthly SEO retainers
- content creation packages
Even a small, consistent investment in SEO can significantly increase the return on your website.
How Much Should You Budget?
As a rough UK guide:
| Type of Site | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| One-page site | £200–£600 |
| 5–10 page brochure site | £600–£2,500 |
| Ecommerce website | £1,200–£8,000+ |
| Custom system or app | £5,000+ |
The right question to ask isn’t:
“How cheap can I get a website?”
but rather:
“What do I need this website to achieve for my business?”
A well-planned, well-built website can pay for itself many times over in enquiries and sales.
Final Thoughts
Your website is one of your most important marketing assets. Cheap, low-quality websites often end up being replaced within a year or two, effectively costing more in the long run.
Investing in a professional website that’s aligned with your goals, built for your audience and optimised for search is usually the smarter choice.
Need a clear, honest quote for your website?
If you’d like realistic options based on your goals and budget, we’re happy to help.
Contact Icerocket Design for a free web design quote.
