The short versionYou do not need to spend thousands on a good small business website. But the lowest quote is not always the cheapest option, so ask what is included, who owns it and what you pay after launch.
If you have ever asked a few people for a website quote, you will know the problem. One says a few hundred pounds, another says several thousand, and nobody really explains why.
So here it is in plain terms. This is how I price websites, what pushes the cost up or down, and what to ask before you hand over any money.
What I charge
I work to fixed prices, written down before anything is built. There are three website packages.
| Package | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Starter Site | £499 | One scrolling page with clear sections for your business, services, work and contact details. |
| Business Site | £699 | Up to five pages, each structured and written so customers can find the detail they need. This is the most popular. |
| Complete Site | £899 | Up to seven pages, plus online booking and payments so customers can book without calling first. |
Every package includes mobile-first design, a working contact form, and my £150 SEO Setup at no extra cost. You can see the full breakdown on the web design page.
What changes the price
Whoever you ask, the same handful of things move the number.
- How many pages you need. One page is quicker than five. Five is quicker than seven.
- Whether customers need to book or pay on the site. Booking and payments mean extra setup and testing.
- Who writes the words. If you can send clear details about your services, that saves time. If you need help shaping the wording, it takes longer.
- Photos and logo. Real photos of your work and premises make a big difference. If you do not have any, that is a cost to plan for.
- Moving an old site. Bringing content across from an existing website takes time.
The costs people forget to ask about
The build price is only part of it. Before you say yes, ask what you will pay after launch.
- Hosting. Your website has to live somewhere. Mine starts from £20 a month, depending on the size of the site.
- Looking after it. Software updates, security and content changes. My Monthly Care Plan is £35 a month and includes hosting, updates, security work and direct support.
- Your domain name. Usually a modest yearly fee, and it should be registered in your name.
- Booking or other software. Any third-party subscription should stay in your name and be billed to you directly, so you are never locked in.
Questions to ask any web designer
- Is the price fixed, and what exactly is included?
- Do I own the website and its content once I have paid?
- How many rounds of changes do I get? (I include two.)
- How long will it take? (Most of my builds take four to six weeks once the words, images and feedback are ready.)
- What happens after launch, and what does that cost?
- Will I be speaking to the person who actually builds it?
Is the cheapest option a bad idea?
Not always. A low price can be perfectly fine if it covers what you actually need. The risk is a price that quietly leaves things out, and you only find out later: no SEO groundwork, no support, no login of your own, or a website you do not really own.
So compare what is included, not just the number at the bottom.
How to decide
Start with the job the website has to do. If it just needs to exist and look credible, a single page may be all you need. If you have several services that each deserve their own page, you will want more. If customers should be able to book and pay, that changes the shape of the site.
If you are not sure, tell me what your business does and I will tell you which option fits, and which ones you do not need.
Want me to take a look?
Tell me about your business and I will tell you plainly what I would do, and what you can skip. It is free.
Get in touch