A website in the UK in 2026 costs anywhere from £500 to £100,000+ depending on what you need. But for small businesses, the reality is more straightforward. Most small business websites sit in the £3,000–£6,000 range when designed by a regional agency. The key is understanding what drives these costs and which expenses you can't avoid.
How Much Should Your Business Website Actually Cost?
The first question every business owner asks is: "What's the bottom line?" Here's what UK small businesses are actually paying in 2026:
Brochure websites (5-20 pages):
- 5–10 pages, a professional website design that's mobile responsive and includes basic SEO setup. Perfect for SMEs wanting credibility online.
- Budget: £1,500-£6,000
E-commerce websites:
- Many ecommerce builds land around £3,000–£12,000+ depending on products, shipping rules, and integrations.
- Budget: £3,000-£15,000+
Custom business sites:
- Up to 20 pages, with custom website development, stronger branding integration, lead generation tools, and blog functionality.
- Budget: £8,000-£15,000+
What Drives Website Costs in the UK?
Before we dive into numbers, you need to understand that "website cost" isn't one single thing. It's like asking "how much does a car cost?" Well, is it a second-hand Fiesta or a brand new Range Rover?
1. Type of Website
A simple brochure site for your local plumbing business isn't the same as a full-blown e-commerce platform selling to customers across Europe. The complexity of your business requirements directly impacts the final price.
2. Design Complexity
Design complexity. Stock templates are cheap. Custom designs that make your brand stand out? That's where costs climb. A template used by web designers Nottingham might cost £50, but a custom User Interface (UI) designed from scratch to convert visitors into buyers takes dozens of hours.
3. Features and Functionality
Features and functionality. Want a booking system? Payment gateway? Customer portal? Each feature adds to the bill. Common add-ons include:
- Booking and appointment systems
- Client portals
- Payment processing
- Multi-language support
- Custom integrations with existing business systems
Define Your Requirements
Get Multiple Quotes
Budget for Ongoing Costs
Check the Fine Print
The Hidden Costs No One Tells You About
This is where most UK businesses get caught out. The website build is just the beginning. This is the part people forget… until the renewal emails arrive. Here's what website cost per month often includes: Hosting: £5 – £30/month (more for high traffic or managed hosting) Domain name: ~£10 – £20/year (so basically "pocket change" monthly) Maintenance & updates: £30 – £150+/month (depending on support level) Premium plugins / tools: £5 – £50+/month (varies wildly)
Annual Recurring Costs
Domain name: usually £10–£50/year for a .co.uk or .com. Initial deposit: most agencies ask for 25–50% upfront to reserve design and development time. SSL certificates: often bundled with hosting, but standalone certificates can run £50–£200/year.
Monthly Maintenance
For most small businesses on WordPress, a sensible managed plan sits around £10 to £40 per month, with SSL, backups, updates and human support included.
Essential ongoing costs include:
- Hosting: £10-£40/month
- Security updates: Often included in managed hosting
- Content updates: £50-£300/month if outsourced
- Technical support: £50-£150/month
What is the single biggest "hidden" cost? Content. Business owners consistently underestimate the time and money it takes to write all the text (copy) for their site and get high-quality, professional photos.
How Long Does a Website Actually Take to Build?
Timeframes vary just as much as budgets. Here's what UK businesses can expect: DIY website builder: 1–3 days to get something basic online. Template-based WordPress site: 2–4 weeks. Small business site (customised design): 4–8 weeks. E-commerce site with integrations: 8–12 weeks. Bespoke applications: 3–6 months depending on complexity.
The key factor is how much content and functionality you provide upfront. Delays usually happen because assets, copy, or product data aren't ready.
DIY vs Professional: The Real Cost Comparison
DIY Website Builders
DIY Website Builders (Wix, Squarespace, Shopify templates): £9–£50/month (plus your time). But there's a crucial trade-off: What you save in cash, you pay for with your own time. While 73% of small businesses have a website, many owners are caught off guard by the sheer number of hours it takes to design, write content for, and launch even a simple site themselves. DIY builders are a fantastic tool for getting started, but they are not a substitute for professional expertise. The hidden cost is the steep learning curve and the time you spend building your site instead of running your business.
Professional Development
Freelancers: Lower cost, personal service, but risk of limited resources or long-term support. Agencies: Higher upfront cost, but you get a full team covering design, development, branding, and SEO.
When to choose professional development:
- Your time is worth more than £20/hour
- You need custom functionality
- SEO and performance are business-critical
- You want ongoing support and maintenance
What to Look for in Quotes
When you're talking to agencies or freelancers, ask these: If they can't give clear answers, walk away.
Key questions to ask every provider:
- What's included in the upfront cost?
- How much will ongoing maintenance cost?
- Who owns the website once it's built?
- Can you move to another hosting provider later?
- What happens if you stop providing support?
Avoid anyone asking for 100% upfront before showing you anything. That's a red flag. Professional agencies typically ask for 25-50% upfront.
Budgeting for 2026: Our Recommendations
Based on current UK market conditions, here's what we recommend budgeting:
Year 1 Total Investment:
- Sole trader/freelancer: £2,000-£4,000
- Small business (5-20 staff): £4,000-£8,000
- E-commerce startup: £6,000-£15,000
- Established company: £10,000+
Ongoing Annual Costs: A safe UK average is £500–£2,000 per year, depending on your site size and maintenance needs.
Your website should make you money, not just cost you money. If spending £5,000 on a proper site brings you £50,000 in new business over the next year (and it absolutely can), that's one of the best investments you'll ever make.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a small business website cost in the UK in 2026?
Average price tends to be £3,000-£6,000 but your website cost will vary due to different factors. Most businesses should budget £4,000-£8,000 for a professional site that drives results.
Are there ongoing costs after the website is built?
Yes. Hosting, domains, updates, security, and tools often add up to £30–£200/month for many small business websites. This isn't optional – it's essential for keeping your site secure and functional.
Is WordPress cheaper than custom development?
WordPress can be cost-effective long-term because it's flexible and widely supported. WordPress works for 90% of businesses - it's flexible, well-supported, and you can find help easily. Shopify's great specifically for e-commerce. Custom code only makes sense for very specific needs or if you have ongoing development budget.
What happens if I don't budget for maintenance?
Neglecting ongoing maintenance is like never servicing your company van. It might run for a while, but eventually, it will break down at the most inconvenient moment, costing you far more in lost business than the maintenance ever would have.
Should I choose a freelancer or agency?
Freelancers/offshore providers: cheaper up front, but often limited in SEO, branding, and long-term support. Agencies cost more initially but provide full teams and long-term stability.
The key to getting value from your website investment is understanding these costs upfront and choosing a solution that matches your business goals. Don't cheap out on something this important. But also don't let anyone talk you into features you don't need. Be smart, do your research, and choose a partner who gets your business goals.
For tailored advice on your specific website requirements, check our web development services or explore our pricing guide for transparent project costs.