A small business website in the UK typically costs between about £500 and £3,000 from a freelancer, £3,000 or more from an agency, and £10 to £260 a month if you use a DIY builder. Ours are fixed-price, from £400 to £1,200, with no monthly fees.
Here’s what really sits behind those numbers, what people forget to budget for, and how to compare quotes fairly.

What does a small business website cost in the UK?

Prices vary a lot because “a website” can mean anything from a one-page landing site to a custom shop. These are typical 2026 ranges, taken from published UK guides (Startups.co.uk, updated March 2026 and Kwiboo):

  • DIY website builder (Wix, Squarespace, Shopify)About £2 to £260 a month depending on the plan, so most of the cost is ongoing. You build and maintain it yourself.
  • Freelance web designer, small brochure siteRoughly £300 to £1,500 for a basic 5-page site, and £1,000 to £3,000 for a 5 to 10 page business site.
  • Small web agencyOften £3,000 to £12,000 for a brochure site, with London agencies charging more.
  • Large or bespoke build£10,000 and up, usually for complex sites with custom features.

What affects the price of a website?

Four things move the price more than anything else:

  • Number of pagesA focused 3-page site costs far less than a 10-page one.
  • Who writes the words and supplies the photosIf you provide polished content, there’s less to do. If you need help shaping the wording, it takes longer.
  • FeaturesA working contact form is simple. Online booking, shops, galleries and member areas all add time.
  • Design and animationA clean, simple design costs less than something fully custom with advanced animation.

The costs people forget

The build price is only part of it. Before you say yes, check what else you’ll be paying for:

  • Domain nameAround £8 to £20 a year for a .co.uk or .com.
  • HostingFrom about £20 a year for basic hosting, and more for managed plans.
  • Monthly platform feesDIY builders and many templated sites charge every month, which can add up to hundreds of pounds a year.
  • Maintenance and updatesBasic updates and backups often cost £25 to £50 a month if you pay someone to do them.
  • Changes after launchSome designers charge by the hour for every small edit.

DIY builder, freelancer or agency: which is right for you?

A DIY builder suits you if you enjoy tinkering and have time. It’s cheap to start, but the monthly fees continue, and you’re responsible for the wording, the layout, the mobile version and getting found on Google.

An agency suits larger businesses that need project managers, several specialists and a big budget. For most sole traders and small firms, it’s more than they need.

A freelancer or small studio is usually the best fit for a small business: a real person who builds the site for you at a fair price, and who is there when something needs changing.

What our fixed prices include

We build every site by hand (no templates, no WordPress), and our prices are fixed so you know the full cost before we start. We’re not VAT-registered, so there’s nothing added on top of the price you’re quoted.

  • Landing: £400Up to 3 pages, your branding, a working contact form, help shaping your wording and 6 months of bug-fix support. Domain and hosting aren’t included, but we can help you set them up.
  • Trades: £500Up to 4 pages, built for trades, with local search work, accreditations displayed, and one year of domain and hosting and one year of bug-fix support included.
  • Pro: £700Up to 7 pages, page animations, map, gallery and reviews, improved search work, a blog or news section, and one year of domain, hosting and bug-fix support.
  • Premium: £1,2007 or more pages, advanced design and animation, enhanced search work, more than one social feed, and one year of domain, hosting and bug-fix support.

There are no monthly fees. You pay 50% to book your slot and 50% when your site goes live. If you’d like us to make updates for you later, an optional change plan is £99 a year, or £25 per change if you only need the odd one. See the full packages.

How to compare website quotes fairly

  1. What exactly is included?Pages, forms, mobile design, search basics, and who writes the wording.
  2. Are there monthly or yearly fees?Ask for the total cost in year one and year two.
  3. Is hosting and a domain included?And who owns the domain? It should be registered in your name.
  4. How are changes handled?Ask whether edits are free, charged by the hour, or part of a plan.
  5. How long will it take?A clear timeline is a good sign. For us, a small site typically takes 1 to 2 weeks.
  6. What happens if something breaks?Check how long support lasts after launch.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a basic website cost in the UK?

A basic small business website from a freelancer or small studio typically costs between about £300 and £1,500, depending on the number of pages and who supplies the content. A DIY builder costs less to start but charges every month.

Is a cheap website worth it?

It can be, if it clearly lists what’s included and doesn’t add monthly fees or charges for every small change. The risk with very cheap sites is hidden costs, templates that look like everyone else’s, and no support after launch.

Do I have to pay monthly for a website?

Not necessarily. DIY builders and many templated sites charge monthly, but a hand-built site can be paid for once. With The Web Constructors there are no monthly fees. You only pay the one-off price, plus a domain and hosting once the first year is over.

How much does website hosting cost?

Basic hosting usually costs from about £20 a year, and managed plans cost more. Our Trades, Pro and Premium packages include the first year of domain and hosting.

How long does it take to build a small business website?

For a small site, typically 1 to 2 weeks once we have your content, and a bigger site can take longer. If you have a deadline, tell us and we’ll try to work to it. Once you’re happy and we have your hosting details, it can go live within a day of your final approval.

Can I update the website myself afterwards?

Yes. Our packages include editable areas, such as your opening hours, contact details and gallery, so you can make everyday changes yourself without paying a developer.

What do I need to provide?

Your logo or colours if you have them, photos, and any wording you’d like to use. If you’re not sure what to write, we’ll help shape it with you.

In conclusion

A good small business website doesn’t have to cost thousands, but it does need to be clear about what you’re paying for, now and next year. Compare quotes on what’s included, ask about ongoing costs, and choose someone you can reach when you need them. With over 30 years in web design, I’m happy to talk it through with no pressure. See our fixed prices or have a quick chat.