Budgeting for your first or next website
Small Business Website Cost
A small business website in the UK typically costs a few hundred to a few thousand pounds up front, or a fixed monthly fee, plus running costs. The right budget depends less on the size of your business and more on what the website needs to do. This guide helps you work out which kind of site you need, compare DIY with hiring a designer and plan a realistic first-year budget.
What does your website need to do?
A site that simply confirms you exist and shows how to contact you needs only a few pages. A site meant to generate enquiries needs service pages, local SEO and clear calls to action. A site that takes bookings or payments needs those features built and maintained. Each step up adds cost, so be clear about the job before you get quotes.
DIY, freelancer or agency?
| Option | Up-front cost | Ongoing cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY builder | Low | Monthly plan fee | Simple sites, owners with time |
| Freelancer | £500–£3,000 typical | Hosting and changes | Clear, modest projects |
| Agency | £2,500–£8,000 typical | Support plan | Strategy, copy and growth |
| Pay-monthly plan | Low or none | Fixed monthly fee | Spreading cost with support included |
Where cheap websites go wrong
Low prices aren't the problem; missing basics are. Common gaps include no local SEO, slow hosting, no one updating plugins and a design that doesn't work on phones. One UK commenter on r/smallbusinessuk warned that one-off builds left unmaintained eventually attract malware. Ask what's included after launch, whatever the price.
A realistic first-year budget
Add up the build (or set-up fee), twelve months of hosting and maintenance, the domain, any premium tools and an allowance for changes. For a pay-monthly plan, multiply the fee by the minimum term. Comparing first-year and three-year totals gives a fairer picture than build prices alone.
First-year website budget
- Build cost or set-up fee
- Twelve months of hosting and maintenance
- Domain registration and renewal
- Premium plugins, apps or booking tools
- Allowance for changes and new pages
- Your own time, if you're doing any of it yourself
Good to know
Your questions, answered.
How much should a small business spend on a website?+
Enough for a fast, clear, mobile-friendly site that does the job you need. For many small businesses, that's a few hundred to a few thousand pounds, or a modest monthly fee.
Is a website builder good enough for a small business?+
It can be for simple needs, if you have the time. Many businesses move to a designer when they want better results from search and enquiries.
Can I spread the cost?+
Yes. Pay-monthly plans spread the cost of the build and include hosting and support.
Related guides
Sources
Ready to price your project?
Last updated