The Real Cost of Building a Business Website in the UK
When you're launching a business in the UK, one of the first steps is to create a professional website. But how much does it actually cost to build a business website?
Let’s break it down with complete transparency — no jargon, no hidden figures.
1. Domain Name and Hosting
Domain name: Your online address, like yourbusiness.co.uk.
Cost: £10 – £20/year (for .co.uk domains)
Web hosting: The service that keeps your website online.
Cost: £3 – £50/month, depending on performance, storage, and security.
For most small businesses, a shared hosting plan works well initially. If your traffic grows or your site handles payments and data, consider VPS or cloud hosting.
2. Website Design and Development
This is where the real variation happens. Your final cost depends on:
a. DIY Website Builders
Tools like Wix, Squarespace, or Shopify (for e-commerce) are budget-friendly.
Monthly cost: £10 – £40
Templates included, but limited in flexibility.
b. Freelancers or Small Agencies
You’ll get a more custom design, tailored to your brand.
Basic site (5–7 pages): £500 – £1,500
Mid-range with custom features: £2,000 – £5,000
c. High-End Agencies
For full custom development, UI/UX design, animations, integrations, and ongoing support.
Cost: £5,000 – £15,000+
Tip: If you're not sure which route to take, schedule a consultation with our team for honest advice based on your needs.
3. Content Creation
You’ll need professional copywriting, high-quality images, and possibly videos.
Copywriting (for 5 pages): £200 – £800
Stock photos or custom shoots: £0 – £1,000+
Explainer videos: £500 – £2,500
Strong content helps with SEO and builds trust with visitors. Avoid copying text from others — Google penalises that.
4. Additional Features
Depending on your business type, you may need:
E-commerce functions (shopping cart, payment gateway): +£500 – £3,000
Booking systems: +£300 – £1,500
Live chat or chatbot: +£100 – £500
Multilingual site setup: +£500 – £2,000
Not every feature is necessary from day one — start lean and scale as needed.
5. Ongoing Maintenance & Updates
A website isn’t a one-time cost. You’ll need to budget for:
Plugin & security updates
Technical fixes
Content updates
Typical cost: £20 – £200/month, depending on who handles it.
We offer affordable website maintenance plans tailored to UK businesses.
6. Marketing and SEO
Even the best-designed site won’t work if no one finds it. Consider:
SEO setup (on-page, technical, local): £300 – £2,000
Monthly SEO service: £150 – £1,000
Google Ads or Meta Ads: Budget starts from £100/month
A good website with no SEO is like opening a shop in the desert — visible to none.
So, What’s the Total?
Here’s a rough breakdown:
| Service Area | Estimated Cost (Initial) |
|---|---|
| Domain & Hosting | £50 – £200/year |
| Website Design & Dev | £500 – £5,000+ |
| Content Creation | £200 – £1,500 |
| Extra Features | £300 – £3,000+ |
| Maintenance (Yearly) | £240 – £2,400 |
| SEO & Marketing (Setup) | £300 – £2,000 |
Final Thoughts
Building a business website in the UK isn’t just about the upfront cost — it's about creating a tool that works for your business.
Some businesses spend £500, others £10,000+. What matters is that your website supports your goals, reflects your brand, and is built to grow.
If you need a partner to help you build or redesign your site, we’re happy to chat — no pressure. Just get in touch here or explore our website design services.
FAQs
1. Can I build my business website for free?
Yes, but free tools often come with limitations like branding, ads, or lack of support. They're good for testing, not scaling.
2. How long does it take to build a website?
Anywhere from 1 week to 2 months, depending on complexity, revisions, and response time.
3. Do I need an agency or a freelancer?
Freelancers are cost-effective for smaller projects. Agencies bring a team and strategy for larger or growing businesses.
4. Should I hire someone for SEO separately?
It’s wise to. Many developers don’t handle SEO properly. Look for SEO as part of the package or hire a dedicated specialist.