how much should a website cost?

why “cheap” isn’t always cheerful

everyone loves a bargain. and when you see ads offering websites for £99, it’s tempting. but hold up a sec. before you hand over your card details, ask yourself: what am i actually getting?

super cheap websites often come with catches. maybe you’re stuck with a clunky template, poor design, or hidden monthly fees. maybe you don’t actually own the site. worst of all, maybe it doesn’t even work well on mobile or show up on google. sometimes, saving money now means spending more later to fix things.

what you’re really paying for

when you pay for a website, you’re not just paying for “a few pages online.” you’re paying for someone’s time, creativity, and technical know-how. things like custom design, content writing, seo setup, mobile optimisation, security, and support all take time to get right.

a good web developer doesn’t just build a site that looks nice — they build a tool that helps you grow your business. and that kind of thing is worth investing in. especially if it starts bringing in customers while you sleep.

the basics: what a simple site might cost

for many small businesses, a clean, straightforward website with around 4 to 6 pages is plenty. think homepage, about, services, contact, maybe a blog or a gallery.

in 2025, this kind of website might cost between £500 and £1500, depending on who you hire and what’s included. it could be less if you’re using a freelancer with a simple package, or more if you’re working with a small agency that adds extra polish. either way, it should include mobile responsiveness and basic seo as standard.

when things get a bit fancier

now, if you need extra features like an online booking system, e-commerce, customer logins, or advanced integrations, the price will naturally climb. and that’s fair. more features mean more planning, testing, and time.

e-commerce websites in particular often start around £1500 and can go up depending on how many products you’re selling, how custom the shop needs to be, and how much help you need with things like payment gateways and product uploads. think of it like adding extra rooms to your digital house — it takes more work.

what about ongoing costs?

this is a big one a lot of people forget about. even after your site is live, there are some regular costs to keep it running. here’s a quick look:

• domain name (your .co.uk or .com): usually £10 to £20 per year

• website hosting: around £5 to £25 per month for small business sites

• maintenance and updates: optional, but many developers offer care plans for £20 to £100 a month depending on support and features

think of these like the rent and electricity bills for your shop — not huge, but definitely something to factor in.

can you build it yourself?

short answer: yes, you can. platforms like wix, squarespace, and shopify make it possible to build your own website without touching code. they offer templates, drag-and-drop builders, and handy tools to get you going.

but… it does take time. and patience. and let’s be honest — unless you love fiddling with design settings and seo checklists, it might not be the best use of your time as a business owner. still, for startups on a tight budget, a diy site can be a good temporary option until you’re ready to upgrade.

what’s the real value of a good website?

a website isn’t just something you “should have.” it’s something that works for you around the clock. it helps people find you, learn about you, and decide whether to trust you. that’s huge.

when done right, a website can easily pay for itself. imagine just one new client or sale a month coming through your site — how much would that be worth over a year? suddenly, investing in a solid website doesn’t seem so scary.

don’t get dazzled by jargon

if you’re getting quotes and don’t understand half the words, don’t panic. and definitely don’t be afraid to ask questions. a good developer will explain things in plain english, not hide behind buzzwords.

watch out for things like “cms” (that just means you can edit the site yourself), “responsive design” (it works on phones and tablets), or “seo optimisation” (it’s easier to find on google). none of this is magic. and if someone makes it sound like it is, that’s a red flag.

so… how much should you pay?

here’s the simple version:

• super basic diy sites: £0 to £300 (plus time and effort)

• simple custom sites: £500 to £1500

• e-commerce or custom builds: £1500 to £5000+

• ongoing costs: £10 to £100 per month depending on support

remember, your website is an investment, not just an expense. and like any investment, you get what you pay for. focus on value, not just price.