How much does a website cost?
A business website typically costs £9 to £29 a month on a DIY builder, £1,500 to £3,000 from a freelancer for a five-page site, or £3,000 to £10,000 from an agency. Online shops cost more, usually from £5,000. Budget another £50 to £300 a month for hosting, security and updates.
Key takeaways
- ✓DIY builders are cheapest to start but cost you your own time, every week.
- ✓A freelancer typically charges £1,500 to £3,000 for a five-page business website.
- ✓Agencies usually charge £3,000 to £10,000, more in London or for complex sites.
- ✓Running costs of £50 to £300 a month are the part most quotes leave out.
- ✓The right question isn’t “how cheap?” but “how many enquiries will it bring in?”
Ask five web designers for a price and you’ll get five very different numbers. That’s not because someone is ripping you off. It’s because “a website” can mean anything from a single page you build yourself on a Sunday to a full booking system.
Here’s what businesses actually pay in 2026, what each price gets you, and how to tell whether a quote is fair.
Website prices at a glance
| Option | Typical cost | Best for |
| DIY builder (Wix, Squarespace) | £9–£29 a month | Just starting, very tight budget, plenty of spare time |
| Freelancer, 5-page website | £1,500–£3,000 | A clear brochure site with a contact form |
| Agency, business website | £3,000–£10,000 | Design, copy, SEO and support from one team |
| Online shop | £5,000–£20,000+ | Selling products online with payments and stock |
| Ongoing care (hosting, updates, security) | £50–£300 a month | Everyone, whichever option you choose |
These ranges come from published 2026 UK price guides. London agencies often charge more for the same work, and very specialist sites can cost far more.
What changes the price
- Number of pages. Five pages costs less than twenty. Each service you offer often deserves its own page, which is good for Google.
- Who writes the words. If you write the text yourself, it’s cheaper. If the designer writes it, expect to pay more, but it usually brings in more enquiries.
- Bookings and payments. Online booking, deposits or a shop add cost, because they need testing and looking after.
- Photos. Real photos of your work win trust. A photographer is extra, but often worth it.
- Getting found on Google. Local SEO set-up (your Google Business Profile, page titles, reviews) is sometimes included and sometimes not. Always ask.
The costs most quotes leave out
The build price is only the start. Every website needs:
- A domain name, usually around £10 to £20 a year
- Hosting, from a few pounds to £30 or more a month
- Security updates and backups, so it doesn’t get hacked or break
- Small changes, like new prices, photos or opening hours
Many businesses pay for a cheap build, then find nobody is looking after it. Two years later it’s slow, out of date and needs rebuilding. That’s why we always show the running cost alongside the build cost.
Is a cheap website a false economy?
Not always. A simple, well-built site that loads fast and makes it easy to call you can outperform an expensive one. What matters is whether it brings in work, not how much it cost.
How to tell if a website quote is fair
A good quote answers these questions in writing:
- 1What exactly is included: pages, copywriting, photos, SEO set-up?
- 2Who owns the website and the domain once it’s paid for? (It should be you.)
- 3What does it cost each month after launch, and what does that cover?
- 4How fast will it load on a phone?
- 5How will people contact or book with you, and where do those enquiries go?
- 6What happens if you want to leave?
If a quote can’t answer those, ask before you sign.
The better question: what will it bring in?
A website is worth what it earns. If one extra job a week is worth £200 to you, a website that brings in that job pays for itself fast. A “bargain” site that nobody finds, or that’s awkward on a phone, costs you every week.
That’s why we start every project with a free check of your current site and how customers find you. Sometimes the answer is a new website. Often it’s a few fixes to the one you already have.
We’ll look at your current website, how you show up on Google and what a new site would realistically cost, before you commit to anything.
Get your free checkWant to know more? See how we help businesses get found by more customers, or read why a website might look fine but still not ring.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a business website cost?
Most businesses pay between £1,500 and £3,000 for a freelancer-built five-page website, or £3,000 to £10,000 with an agency. DIY builders cost £9 to £29 a month but take your own time.
How much does a website cost per month?
Expect £50 to £300 a month for hosting, security updates, backups and small changes. DIY builders charge £9 to £29 a month but you do the work yourself.
Is it cheaper to build a website myself?
Upfront, yes. But it costs your time, and DIY sites are often slower and harder to find on Google. Weigh the hours against what you’d earn doing paid work instead.
Why do website quotes vary so much?
Quotes include very different things: number of pages, who writes the text, bookings or payments, SEO set-up and ongoing support. Compare what’s included, not just the price.
Should I own my website and domain?
Yes. Make sure the domain is registered in your name and you can move the website to someone else if you ever need to.
Sources
Web Performance Engineers
The ShiftDeploy engineering team audits and rebuilds booking and enquiry flows for UK dental practices, clinics and service businesses. Every figure we publish comes from field data on sites we have measured.
- ✓ Audited 100+ UK practice websites
- ✓ Specialists in mobile booking flow performance