Short answer: The cost of a website in the UK depends on four things: the type of website, how many pages and features it needs, who writes and supplies the content, and who builds it. A simple brochure website costs far less than an online shop or a custom-built system. You also need to budget for ongoing costs such as hosting, your domain name, updates and security. The only reliable way to know your price is to get a written, itemized quote for the exact website you need.
Prices you see online for “website cost UK” vary a lot because people are comparing different things. This guide explains what you are paying for, the different types of website, the costs that come after launch and the questions to ask so that quotes can be compared fairly.
Why website prices vary so much
Two quotes for “a website” can be very different because they include different work. When you ask for a quote, you are paying for some or all of these:
- Planning: working out what the site needs to do, who it is for and which pages it needs.
- Design: how the site looks on phones, tablets and computers.
- Build: setting up the site, its pages and its features.
- Content: writing the words, taking photos and videos, and adding them.
- Search engine basics: page titles, descriptions, headings, speed and a sitemap so Google can find and understand the site.
- Testing and launch: checking forms, links and mobile layouts, then putting the site live.
- Training: showing you how to update the site yourself.
A low quote often leaves some of these out. A higher quote may include them all. Neither is wrong, but you need to know what you are getting.
Website types compared
Most business websites fall into one of the types below. The cost level shows how the types compare with each other, from one pound sign (lowest) to four (highest).
| Website type | What it usually includes | Relative cost | Best for | Echelon price from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-page or landing page | A single page with your offer, contact form and key details | £ | A new business, a single campaign or an event | – |
| Brochure website (WordPress with Elementor) | Home, about, service pages, contact page and a blog, which you can edit yourself | ££ | Most local and service businesses | – |
| E-commerce website | Product pages, a basket, checkout, payments and delivery options | £££ | Businesses that sell products online | – |
| Bespoke website or web system | Custom features such as booking, quoting or ordering systems, member areas or links to other software | ££££ | Businesses with processes a standard site cannot handle | – |
| DIY website builder | A template you set up yourself on a monthly plan | £ (plus your time) | Very small budgets, if you have time to learn | Not offered |
At Echelon Media we build business websites on WordPress with Elementor, so you can change text and images yourself without paying a developer every time. If you are a small business, our website design for small businesses page explains what is included.
What affects the cost of a website?
These are the main things that push a price up or down.
Number of pages
Every page needs planning, design, content and checking. A site with five pages costs less to build than a site with fifty. Pages that use the same layout, such as town or product pages, cost less per page than pages that each need their own design.
Features
Contact forms are standard. Online booking, quote calculators, payment systems, property or product search, customer logins and links to other software all add time. Ask which features are included and which are extra.
Content
Content is often the hidden cost. If you supply finished words and good photos, the build is quicker. If you need copywriting, product descriptions, professional photography or video, budget for it. Strong photos make a big difference to how professional a site looks. Read why in our guide to professional photos and videos for your business.
Design approach
A design based on a proven layout is quicker than a completely original design. Both can look professional. Original design makes most sense when your brand needs to stand out or the site has unusual needs.
Search engine optimization (SEO)
A website that is built well for search engines is easier to grow later. Some quotes include basic SEO, such as page titles and headings. Ongoing SEO, which helps you climb Google over time, is usually a separate monthly service. Our SEO service explains what that involves.
Who builds it
A DIY builder costs you time instead of money. A freelancer can be good value for a straightforward site. An agency usually costs more but brings design, content, SEO and support under one roof. The table below compares the three.
| DIY website builder | Freelancer | Agency | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Low | Medium | Medium to high |
| Your time needed | High | Medium | Low |
| Design quality | Depends on your skills | Depends on the person | Usually consistent |
| Content and photos | You do it | Sometimes included | Often included or offered |
| SEO set-up | Basic tools, you set them up | Varies | Usually included |
| Support after launch | Help articles and chat | Depends on availability | Support plan usually offered |
| Who owns the site | You, but it may be hard to move | Check the contract | Check the contract |
Ongoing website costs
The launch is not the end of the bill. Budget for these costs every year.
- Domain name: your web address, such as yourbusiness.co.uk. Renewed every year or every few years.
- Hosting: the server your website lives on. Usually paid monthly or yearly. Good hosting keeps your site fast and secure.
- Security certificate (SSL): the padlock in the browser bar. Often included with hosting.
- Updates and maintenance: WordPress, its theme and its plugins need regular updates to stay secure. You can do this yourself or pay for a care plan.
- Plugin and software licences: some features, such as premium page builders or booking tools, have yearly fees.
- Content updates: new pages, offers and blog posts.
- Marketing: SEO, Google Ads or social media to bring people to the site.
Ask every supplier to list these costs separately, so you can see the full first-year cost, not just the build price.
Things every UK business website needs
Some content is not optional. If you are a limited company, the law says your website must show certain details, such as your registered company name and number. GOV.UK explains exactly what to include on its page about company information on your website, stationery and promotional material.
Most business websites also need:
- a privacy policy that explains how you use personal data
- a cookie banner if the site uses cookies that are not strictly necessary, such as analytics or advertising cookies
- clear contact details
- pages that work well on mobile phones and for people with disabilities
Check that any quote includes these.
How long does it take to build a website?
Time and cost are linked. A small brochure site is much quicker than an online shop or a custom system, and the biggest delays are usually waiting for content and feedback. Our guide on how long it takes to build a website explains each stage and how to keep the project moving.
Questions to ask before you accept a website quote
Use these questions to compare quotes fairly.
- What exactly is included: how many pages, which features and how many rounds of changes?
- Who writes the content and who supplies the photos?
- Will I be able to edit the site myself, and will you show me how?
- What is included for search engines at launch?
- Who owns the domain, the hosting account and the website files?
- What are the ongoing costs in the first year, and what happens if I want to move the site elsewhere?
- Do you offer support after launch, and what does it cost?
- Can I see websites you have built for businesses like mine?
You can see examples of sites we have built on our projects page.
Warning signs to look out for
- No written scope. If the quote does not list pages and features, it is hard to know what you will get.
- You do not own your domain. Your domain should be registered in your name or your company’s name.
- Locked-in hosting. Some suppliers make it hard or expensive to move your site. Ask before you sign.
- No mention of mobile, speed or security. These should be standard on any modern website.
- Promises of guaranteed first place on Google. Nobody can guarantee rankings.
Getting a website quote from Echelon Media
We design and build WordPress websites for businesses across Essex, London and the rest of the UK. Tell us what your site needs to do and we will put the quote in writing, so you can check it against the questions above. To find out more, visit our Essex website design page or our London website design page, or get in touch for a quote.
Frequently asked questions
How much should a decent website cost?
There is no single figure, because a decent website for a sole trader and a decent online shop are very different projects. Decide which pages and features you need, then ask two or three suppliers for written, itemized quotes for the same list. That is the fairest way to compare.
Can I build a website for free?
You can start on a free plan with some website builders, but free plans usually use the builder’s own web address and limit what you can do. Most businesses need a proper domain name and a paid plan or hosting, so expect some cost even if you build the site yourself.
Can ChatGPT create a website?
AI tools can help you plan pages, draft text and even produce a basic layout. You still need a domain name, hosting, accurate content, legal pages and someone to check that everything works and is secure. Treat AI as a helpful assistant, not a full replacement for a website project.
Who owns my website once it is built?
You should. Before you sign, check that the contract says you own the domain, the content and the website files, and that you can move the site to another host if you choose.
