Ask five web designers what a small business website costs and you’ll get five different answers. That’s not because anyone is being evasive. It’s because “a website” can mean anything from a template you fill in yourself to a bespoke build with copywriting, photography and ongoing support.
Here’s how the main options compare, and the costs that usually get left out of the quote.
The four common routes
| Route | Setup | Per month | Changes after launch | Your time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local agency | £2,000–£6,000 | £10–£40 hosting | £60–£120 per hour | Several meetings |
| Freelancer | £800–£2,500 | £5–£20 hosting | £40–£80 per hour | Briefing and revisions |
| DIY builder | £0 | £15–£40 | Free, but you do them | 20–60 hours |
| Cheap template site | £150–£500 | £5–£15 | Usually unsupported | Varies |
Agencies
An agency gives you a team: a designer, a developer and often a project manager. You’ll usually pay £2,000 to £6,000 up front, then hosting on top. The catch for small businesses is what happens after launch. Most agencies bill changes by the hour, so updating your opening times or adding a new service can cost more than the hosting does.
Freelancers
A good freelancer can produce excellent work for £800 to £2,500. The quality varies a lot, and you’re relying on one person being available when something breaks or needs changing. Ask who looks after hosting, backups and security once the site is live.
DIY website builders
Builders look free or cheap, typically £15 to £40 a month. The real cost is your time: most owners spend 20 to 60 hours choosing a template, writing every page and sourcing photos. Add-ons for things like forms, extra pages or removing the builder’s branding can push the monthly price up.
Cheap template sites
A £150 to £500 template site can get you online quickly, but these are usually handed over with no ongoing support. When something needs changing, you’re on your own.
The costs most quotes leave out
Whichever route you take, check whether these are included:
- Copywriting. Many designers expect you to supply the words. Good copy is often the difference between a site that looks nice and one that brings in enquiries.
- Photography. Stock photos need licensing, and the free ones are on every other site in your area.
- Domain renewal. Usually around £12 a year, but easy to forget until it lapses.
- Changes after launch. Hourly rates add up quickly.
- Backups, security and monitoring. Someone needs to notice when your contact form stops working.
So what should a small business budget?
Add up the setup fee, a year of hosting and a realistic number of changes, then put a value on your own time. For many small businesses the cheapest-looking option ends up the most expensive once the hours are counted.
That’s why we built WebHostGB as one monthly price: £0 to start and £47 a month, including design, copywriting, hosting, your domain and ten changes every month. See everything that’s included.