If you’re a small business owner or just starting up, one of the first big questions you’re likely to ask is, “How much does a website actually cost?” It’s a fair question – and the honest answer is, it depends. But that doesn’t mean you should be left in the dark. In this post, I’ll walk you through the different price points, what you can expect to get for your money, and how to make sure you’re investing wisely when building your website in 2025.
Let’s break it down.
Why Website Costs Vary So Much
The price of a website depends on a few key factors – the type of site you need, the level of customisation, the number of pages, whether you want extra features like booking systems or e-commerce functionality, and who you hire to do the work. Think of it like buying a car. You can get a basic model that gets you from A to B, or you can go all-in with a fully loaded option that does everything but make your morning coffee. The right choice depends on your goals, your budget, and your expectations.
Typical Price Ranges in 2025
Here’s a rough guide to what small business websites are costing in the UK this year:
- DIY Website Builders (like Wix, Squarespace, GoDaddy): £5 – £30 per month plus your time. Good for very simple sites, but limited design flexibility and not ideal for growth.
- Freelancer or Micro Agency Basic Package: £450 – £900 for a 1-5 page brochure website. This usually includes design, build, and a round or two of amends.
- Mid-Level Custom Website: £950 – £2000. This tends to be the sweet spot for many small businesses who want a professional, unique website built on a solid platform like WordPress.
- E-commerce Website: £2000 – £6000+, depending on how many products, integrations, and custom functions you need.
- Larger Projects with Custom Features: £6000+. If you need user logins, booking systems, online learning platforms, membership features or CRM integrations, expect to budget more.
What Are You Actually Paying For?
It helps to understand where your money goes when you hire someone to build your website. You’re not just paying for someone to ‘make it look nice’. You’re investing in:
- Planning and Strategy: Understanding your goals, audience, and how the website will convert visitors into leads or customers.
- Design: Creating a layout and visuals that match your brand and appeal to your audience.
- Development: Turning the design into a functional, responsive website that works across devices.
- Content Integration: Adding your images, text, videos, and making sure everything reads well and flows properly.
- Testing and Tweaks: Checking that the site works across browsers, fixing bugs, improving speed.
- Training and Handover: Showing you how to update the site or providing ongoing support if needed.
Beware of Hidden Costs
Some website quotes might look cheap at first glance, but they often don’t include everything. Make sure you check whether the price includes:
- Hosting (anywhere from £100 – £1,000s a year, depending on the server, operating system and services included)
- Domain name registration (typically £10 – £20 per year)
- Ongoing support or maintenance
- SEO setup (many cheap builds don’t include this at all)
- Stock images or graphics
- Additional pages or advanced functionality
A good designer or agency will be upfront about what’s included, and you should always ask for a detailed breakdown before you commit.
Is a Cheap Website a False Economy?
It can be tempting to go with the lowest quote, especially if you’re just starting out and funds are tight. But be cautious. A cheap website that doesn’t work properly, doesn’t get found on Google, or looks unprofessional can actually cost you more in the long run. You might miss out on leads, put customers off, or end up paying someone else to fix it later. A well-designed website should last you several years and give you a strong return on investment.
Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Web Designer
- Do you build on a platform I can update myself?
- What’s included in your price?
- Do you offer SEO basics like metadata and mobile optimisation?
- How long will the project take?
- Will my site be bespoke or based on a template?
- What support is available after launch?
Asking the right questions early can help avoid confusion or disappointment later on.
What About Ongoing Costs?
Your website isn’t a one-and-done investment. You’ll likely have some ongoing costs to keep it running smoothly:
- Hosting and domain renewal
- Software updates (especially for WordPress sites)
- Backups and security monitoring
- Support or content updates
Some businesses also invest in monthly SEO, blogging, or digital marketing, but these are separate from the core cost of the website itself.
How to Get the Best Value from Your Website Budget
- Be clear on your goals. Are you trying to generate leads, sell products, or build authority? This will influence how your site is built.
- Invest in good content. Clear writing, great images, and messaging that speaks to your audience will always outperform flashy visuals with weak content.
- Plan for growth. Choose a platform that allows your site to scale as your business grows.
- Work with someone who listens. A good designer won’t just build what you ask for. They’ll advise, challenge, and help you make better decisions.
What’s a Fair Price for a Small Business Website in 2025?
If you’re a UK-based business looking for a professional, mobile-friendly, fast-loading, and search-optimised website, a fair budget is usually between £950 and £2000. That should get you a well-planned, good-looking site that you can manage yourself and that gives you room to grow.
It’s not the cheapest option, and it’s not the most expensive. But in our experience, it’s the budget range where businesses see the best mix of quality, results, and value for money.
Final Thoughts
Your website is often the first impression someone gets of your business. It’s your digital shop window. It works while you sleep. It can attract, convert, and retain customers – or it can put people off entirely.
When you’re thinking about how much to spend on your website, think about what it’s worth to your business if it brings in just one new client a month. In most cases, it pays for itself very quickly.
If you’re not sure where to start or you want a proper quote with no hard sell, feel free to get in touch. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to revamp your existing site, we’ll help you get something that works for your business and your budget.
