How Much Does a Website Cost in the UK? Complete 2026 Pricing Guide

**Quick answer:** A website in the UK typically costs between £2,000 and £50,000+, depending on complexity. A simple brochure site runs £2,000-5,000, a mid-range business site costs £5,000-15,000, and custom web applications start at £15,000+. The price depends on design complexity, functionality requirements, and whether you need e-commerce, integrations, or ongoing support.

UK Website Pricing at a Glance

Here's what UK businesses typically pay for different types of websites: | Website Type | Price Range | Timeline | Best For | |--------------|-------------|----------|----------| | Landing Page | £500-1,500 | 1-2 weeks | Testing ideas, events | | Brochure Site (3-5 pages) | £2,000-5,000 | 4-6 weeks | Small businesses | | Business Website (10+ pages) | £5,000-15,000 | 6-10 weeks | Growing companies | | E-commerce Store | £5,000-25,000 | 8-12 weeks | Online retailers | | Custom Web Application | £15,000-50,000+ | 3-6 months | Complex requirements |

What's Actually Included at Each Price Point

Understanding what you get at each level helps you budget realistically.

### £500-1,500: Landing Page - Single page with key information - Basic contact form - Mobile-responsive design - Template-based design with customisation - Basic SEO setup - 1-2 weeks turnaround

### £2,000-5,000: Brochure Website - 3-5 custom-designed pages - Professional copywriting (basic) - Contact forms and Google Maps integration - Mobile-responsive design - On-page SEO fundamentals - Social media integration - 4-6 weeks turnaround

### £5,000-15,000: Business Website - 10-20 pages with custom design - Content management system (CMS) - Blog functionality - Advanced contact forms - Google Analytics integration - Performance optimisation - Lead capture systems - 6-10 weeks turnaround

### £15,000-50,000+: Custom Solutions - Bespoke design and development - Custom functionality and integrations - API development - User portals and dashboards - Advanced security features - Scalable architecture - 3-6 months turnaround

The 7 Factors That Determine Your Website Cost

### 1. Design Complexity Template-based designs cost less than fully custom designs. A bespoke design with unique animations, interactions, and brand-specific elements requires more design and development time.

### 2. Number of Pages More pages mean more content, design, and development work. A 5-page site costs significantly less than a 50-page site with multiple content types.

### 3. Functionality Requirements Basic contact forms are included in most quotes. But booking systems, payment processing, member areas, and custom calculators add complexity and cost.

### 4. E-commerce Features Online stores require product management, payment gateways, inventory tracking, and shipping integrations. The number of products and complexity of your catalogue affects pricing.

### 5. Content Creation Do you have your own copy and images, or do you need content writing, photography, and video production? Professional content adds to project costs but dramatically improves results.

### 6. Integrations Connecting your website to CRM systems, email marketing platforms, accounting software, or third-party APIs requires additional development work.

### 7. Ongoing Support Some agencies include basic support; others charge separately. Consider hosting, security updates, content changes, and technical support when budgeting.

Hidden Costs Most Agencies Don't Mention

When budgeting for a website, factor in these commonly overlooked expenses:

### Domain Name: £10-50/year Your web address. Premium domains can cost thousands, but most .co.uk domains are affordable.

### Hosting: £50-500/year Where your website lives. Cheap shared hosting (£50-100/year) works for small sites. Larger sites need VPS or cloud hosting (£200-500/year).

### SSL Certificate: £0-200/year Many hosts include free SSL. Premium certificates for e-commerce may cost extra.

### Email Hosting: £30-100/user/year Professional email addresses ([email protected]) via Google Workspace or Microsoft 365.

### Stock Photography: £50-500 Professional images if you don't have your own. Subscription services like Shutterstock can reduce per-image costs.

### Ongoing Maintenance: £500-3,000/year Security updates, backups, minor content changes, and technical support. Often overlooked but essential.

### Content Updates: Variable If you can't update content yourself, you'll pay for every change. A good CMS reduces this dependency.

DIY vs Freelancer vs Agency: Cost Comparison

| Factor | DIY (Wix/Squarespace) | Freelancer | Agency | |--------|----------------------|------------|--------| | Initial Cost | £150-500/year | £1,000-5,000 | £5,000-50,000+ | | Your Time Investment | High (40-100+ hours) | Low | Very Low | | Design Quality | Template-based | Varies widely | Professional, custom | | Functionality | Limited | Moderate | Unlimited | | SEO Potential | Basic | Good | Excellent | | Ongoing Support | Self-service | Variable | Included/available | | Scalability | Limited | Moderate | High | | Best For | Testing ideas, tight budgets | Simple projects | Serious business investment |

### When DIY Works - Personal portfolios - Testing a business idea - Very tight budgets (under £1,000) - You have more time than money

### When to Hire a Freelancer - Simple business websites - Specific skill needs (design or development) - Budget of £1,000-5,000 - You can manage the project yourself

### When to Choose an Agency - Website is critical to revenue - Complex functionality required - Need reliable ongoing support - Want a strategic partner, not just a vendor If you decide to go the agency route, here are 15 questions to ask before hiring.

Real Examples: What We've Built at Each Price Point

### £3,500 - Local Tradesperson 5-page brochure site with contact form, service areas map, testimonials section, and Google Business integration. Mobile-optimised with local SEO foundation.

### £8,000 - Professional Services Firm 12-page site with team profiles, case studies, blog, lead capture forms, and CRM integration. Custom design matching existing brand guidelines.

### £18,000 - E-commerce Store 200+ product catalogue with custom filtering, payment processing, inventory management, shipping calculator, and customer accounts. Integrated with accounting software.

### £35,000 - Booking Platform Custom web application with user accounts, real-time availability calendar, payment processing, automated notifications, and admin dashboard. API integrations with third-party services.

Getting the Best Value: 5 Tips

### 1. Define Requirements Clearly Vague briefs lead to scope creep and budget overruns. Know what you need before you start getting quotes.

### 2. Get Multiple Quotes Compare at least 3 agencies or freelancers. Look beyond price—consider portfolio quality, communication, and reviews. Before discussing costs, make sure you're asking the right questions to evaluate agencies properly.

### 3. Plan for Content Early Content delays are the number one cause of project overruns. Have your text, images, and structure ready.

### 4. Think Long-Term Costs A cheap website that needs rebuilding in 18 months isn't good value. Factor in maintenance, scalability, and future needs.

### 5. Ask About What's Included Hosting? Support? Training? Content changes? Get clarity on what's in the quote and what costs extra.

FAQs About Website Costs

**Why do website quotes vary so much?** Different providers have different overheads, skill levels, and approaches. A template-based site costs less than a custom build. An agency with senior developers charges more than a solo freelancer. You often get what you pay for.

**Can I pay monthly for my website?** Some agencies offer payment plans, spreading costs over 6-12 months. Be wary of 'free website' deals with expensive monthly fees—you often end up paying more long-term.

**What's the cheapest way to get a professional website?** A skilled freelancer using a WordPress theme can deliver a professional site for £1,500-3,000. Below this price point, you're likely compromising on design, functionality, or support.

**Should I build my website before or after branding?** After. Your website should reflect your brand, not define it. Invest in logo, colours, and brand guidelines first, then build a website that brings them to life.

**How much should I budget for website marketing?** A common rule: plan to spend as much on marketing your website as you do building it. The best website in the world won't generate leads if nobody finds it.

Ready to Discuss Your Website Project?

Every business has unique needs. At Launchwork Digital, we provide transparent quotes based on your specific requirements—no hidden fees, no surprises. **Related reading:** - Professional Website vs Wix: The Honest Comparison - Our Pricing Philosophy - Frequently Asked Questions - E-commerce Services - Web Development Services