If you’ve searched “how much does a website cost UK” you’ve probably seen ranges so wide they’re useless. £500 to £10,000+. That tells you nothing.
Here’s what actually matters: what do businesses like yours pay, and what do they get for it?
The Short Answer
| Route | Cost | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| DIY (Wix, Squarespace) | £9-50/month | Template site you build yourself |
| Freelancer | £1,500-3,000 | Custom design, basic functionality |
| Regional agency | £3,000-6,000 | Custom design, SEO setup, ongoing support |
| London agency | £6,000-15,000+ | Full branding, complex features |
Most UK service businesses (physios, trades, salons) land in the £3,000-6,000 range with a regional agency or experienced freelancer.
What Actually Affects the Price
1. Number of Pages
A 5-page brochure site (Home, About, Services, Contact, FAQ) costs less than a 20-page site with individual service pages for each offering.
Rule of thumb: Budget £200-400 per page with a professional designer.
2. Custom Design vs Template
Templates start around £1,500. Fully custom designs start around £3,000.
The difference? Templates look like templates. They work fine for businesses where your website isn’t your main differentiator. But if you’re competing with other local businesses who all use the same Squarespace template, you’ll blend in.
3. Booking Systems and Integrations
Adding online booking typically adds £300-800 to the build. Some systems (like Fresha for salons) are free to integrate. Others (like custom booking flows) need development work.
4. E-commerce
Selling products online? Budget at least £5,000 for a proper e-commerce setup. Simple payment collection (deposits, single services) is cheaper—usually £200-500 extra.
5. SEO Work
Basic SEO setup (meta titles, site structure, Google Business Profile) is usually included.
Ongoing SEO (monthly blog posts, link building, local rankings work) is separate—typically £200-500/month.
The Hidden Costs
Ongoing Maintenance
Your website needs updates, security patches, and hosting. Budget:
- DIY platforms: £12-30/month (included in subscription)
- Self-hosted WordPress: £50-150/month for managed hosting + maintenance
- Agency retainer: £100-300/month typically
Domain and Email
- Domain: £10-20/year
- Professional email (Google Workspace): £5-12/user/month
Content
Most quotes assume you’re providing the words and images. If you need copywriting, add £50-150 per page. Stock photos: £10-30 each or use a subscription (£20-100/month).
What UK Service Businesses Actually Pay
Based on 2026 market data:
Sole traders/freelancers: £1,500-3,000 for a decent starting point
Small businesses (5-20 employees): £3,000-8,000 for something that’ll serve them well
Established businesses wanting to compete: £6,000-15,000 for custom design and ongoing SEO
The Monthly Alternative
Traditional website pricing assumes you pay £3,000-6,000 upfront. But there’s another model.
Some agencies (including us) offer subscription websites: no upfront cost, everything included in a monthly fee.
How it compares:
| Model | Year 1 | Year 3 | Year 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-time £4,000 + £100/mo maintenance | £5,200 | £7,600 | £10,000 |
| £250/month subscription | £3,000 | £9,000 | £15,000 |
Subscriptions cost more over 5 years. But you get continuous updates, support, and no big upfront expense. For businesses without £4,000 sitting around, it’s often the better cash flow decision.
Red Flags When Getting Quotes
Watch out for:
- No portfolio of similar businesses. If they’ve never built a site for your industry, they’ll learn on your dime.
- No mention of mobile. In 2026, 60%+ of your visitors are on phones. Mobile-first isn’t optional.
- Vague ongoing costs. “Hosting is extra” without a number is a red flag.
- No SEO discussion. A beautiful site nobody finds is worthless.
- Promises of page 1 Google rankings. Nobody can guarantee this.
What Should You Do?
If you’re just starting out and budget is tight: Start with a template. Wix or Squarespace at £15-30/month gets you online. You can upgrade later.
If you’re established but your website isn’t working: Get a professional quote. A proper website that generates leads typically pays for itself within 6-12 months.
If you’re not sure: Most agencies offer free consultations. Use them. A 15-minute call will tell you more than another hour of Googling.
Key Takeaways
- Most UK service businesses pay £3,000-6,000 for a professional website
- Budget £100-300/month for ongoing maintenance
- Monthly subscriptions are an alternative to big upfront costs
- The cheapest quote isn’t the best value—look at what’s included
- Mobile-first design and basic SEO should be standard, not extras
