How Much Does a Small Business Website Cost in the UK?
Most small businesses get quoted too much or settle for too little. Here is what a website actually costs and what you should expect for your money.
If you have ever tried to find out how much a website costs, you have probably come across one of two answers: a free DIY builder that looks like it was made in 2009, or an agency quote that starts at £3,000 and takes three months.
Neither is the full picture.
Here is an honest breakdown of what UK businesses actually pay for websites in 2026 and what you should expect at each price point.
Under £500 - DIY templates
Wix, Squarespace, and similar platforms let you build your own site for around £10 to £20 per month. If you have the time, basic design skills, and your business is very simple, this can work. The problem is most business owners do not have the time, and template sites tend to look exactly like template sites - which is a problem when you are trying to stand out from competitors.
£500 - Professional starter site
A properly designed, custom one-page or simple multi-page site from an independent designer. Not a template. Not a drag-and-drop. A site built around your business, your brand, and your customers. This is where most trades businesses, sole traders, and small local businesses should be starting.
At Liam Hicks Web Design, our starter sites are £500 and live within seven days.
£750 - Multi-page professional build
For established businesses that need more - a gallery, a portfolio, multiple service pages, or a more sophisticated design. Still affordable, still fast, but with significantly more depth and capability. Our Professional package is £750 and lives within ten days.
£1,200 - Premium complete web presence
For professional services, estate agents, restaurants and businesses that want the full package: 8 to 12 pages, blog, FAQ, booking systems and a complete brand strategy applied throughout. Our Premium build is £1,200 and lives within fourteen days.
£3,000 to £10,000 - Agency builds
Large agencies with teams of designers, developers, and account managers. You are paying for overhead as much as quality. Sometimes worth it for large businesses with complex requirements. Almost never worth it for a small or medium business.
What should you actually pay?
For most UK small businesses, a £500 to £1,200 custom site from an independent designer is the sweet spot. You get a professional result without the agency price tag or the template look.
The real question is not how much a website costs. It is how much one extra customer per month is worth to your business. For most businesses, one job covers the cost of the site. Everything after that is profit.
Ready to get a proper website without the agency price? Get a free quote at liamhickswebdesign.com.