How Much Does A Website Cost?
Website costs in the UK can range from a few hundred pounds to several thousand, depending on what you need the website to do, how professional it needs to look, and whether it’s built to actually generate enquiries.
This guide breaks down realistic UK website costs, explains what affects the price, and helps you understand what you should expect to pay for a website that delivers results.
Basic Small Business Websites
A basic small business website typically costs between £350 and £700. These websites are usually built by freelancers or small agencies and are designed to give a business a professional online presence. It wont include SEO or lead generation at this price point and if it does it will likely be poor quality.
At this level, the site will usually include a small number of pages, a simple layout and a contact form. For some businesses this is enough, but these websites are often built to exist online rather than to actively generate leads. That is why if budget stretches, established businesses will go for a more SEO oriented website.
Professional Service Websites
For most established service businesses, a professional website usually costs between £1,500 and £3,500. This is where websites start to become assets rather than just digital brochures. The site will not only look great but also work as lead generating machine from day one. Often desired by businesses looking to grow their customer base.
These websites are designed around enquiries. The layout, content and structure are built to convert visitors into phone calls or form submissions. Proper on-page SEO, fast loading times and mobile optimisation are typically included, which helps improve both visibility and credibility.
High-End and Custom Websites
High-end or fully custom websites can cost £3,500 or significantly more depending on complexity. These builds are usually aimed at larger businesses, national brands or companies that require advanced functionality such as booking systems, integrations or e-commerce.
For many local service businesses, this level of website isn’t necessary and often offers little additional return compared to a well-built professional site.
Hosting Fees
Hosting is the cost of keeping your website online and accessible. In simple terms, it’s the server space your website lives on. Every website requires hosting, but the price can vary depending on where the site is hosted and what’s included.
If a provider or agency is not actively updating your website, hosting should be relatively inexpensive. In most cases, standard hosting for a small to medium business website should cost between £100 and £200 per year, or roughly £10 to £25 per month if paid monthly. This is more than enough for a typical service-based website.
What Affects Website Pricing?
Website prices vary because of what’s involved behind the scenes. The number of pages has a direct impact on cost, as each page requires design, structure and content. Custom design work takes more time than using pre-built layouts, and professionally written, SEO-focused content adds further value.
Functionality also affects pricing. Features such as advanced contact forms, booking systems or payment processing increase development time. Ongoing support is another factor, as some websites are delivered as a one-off project while others include ongoing maintenance and updates.
Cheap Website vs Professional Website
One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is comparing websites purely on price. Cheaper websites often look fine at first glance but tend to load slowly, rank poorly on Google and fail to convert visitors into enquiries. Making it almost not worth having
On the other hand, a professional website is built with a clear purpose: to attract the right visitors and turn them into customers. The difference isn’t just how the website looks, but how it performs and what it brings to your business.
Is a Website Worth the Cost?
A website should not be viewed as a sunk cost or a box-ticking exercise. When built properly, it is an investment and a return-generating tool. A professional website designed around lead generation can often repay its build cost in a matter of months by consistently turning visitors into enquiries. Even a small number of additional leads can justify the initial spend, particularly for service-based businesses where each job has real value.
That said, not every website is built solely to generate leads. A more basic website may take longer to deliver a direct financial return, but it still plays an important role in credibility and trust. Businesses with professional websites are generally perceived as more established and reliable than those without, and this can influence buying decisions even when enquiries come from other channels. In that sense, a website remains a valuable long-term asset rather than a one-off cost.
Our Verdict at EJ Digital Marketing
Our view at EJ Digital Marketing is that for most business types, especially local service businesses, a website is the cornerstone of your online presence. Around 73% of consumers check a company’s website before deciding to spend money on their products or services. Not having a website often means leaving money on the table, and in many cases, it leads potential customers to choose a competitor who does have one.
In an ideal world, every business would launch with a fully optimised, SEO-driven website that generates enquiries from day one. We’re also realistic enough to know that budgets don’t always stretch that far, particularly for smaller or newer businesses. That said, even a simple portfolio-style website can work in your favour by building credibility and reassurance when customers are researching your business online. For that reason, we believe a website has undeniable value for any business, whether it’s a small, straightforward presence or a full custom SEO build designed for growth.
Enquire About A Website Today
As a general guide, most small start-up websites typically cost between £350 and £700, while fully custom, lead-generating websites usually start from £1,500 upwards. Ongoing hosting should remain reasonable too, and in most cases should not exceed £250 per year unless additional services are included. If a website price appears unusually cheap, it’s often a sign that quality, performance or long-term reliability has been compromised. When built properly, a website is a valuable investment for businesses of all sizes.
If you’re ready to invest in a website for your business, you can get in touch using the enquiry form provided or visit our web design page to learn more about how we can help.