There have never been more avenues available to create a website than there are today – but by the same token, the waters have also been muddied somewhat. When it comes to building a website in the UK, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of cost. With so many aspects to consider and so many options, it’s often difficult to figure out exactly what the costs involved are. Do you go DIY or do you reach out to an agency? So, to answer the question of ‘how much does a website cost in the UK?’, we’ve put together a summary, as well as some tips on how much it costs to design, build and host a website.
Key Factors That Affect Website Costs
Before we get into the details of how much it costs to create a website, it’s important to first take stock of what your needs are. This is a good place to start, as different websites require different approaches in design, building, hosting and functionality. Each of these elements has a cost attached, depending on the complexity, needs and time it takes.
Define the purpose of the website
Why do you need a website? Are you creating something to showcase your brick-and-mortar business, like a clothing shop or a bakery? Or do you need a place where people can book your services online, or do you have art to showcase?
- Type of Website: A simple informational website is far cheaper than a full-fledged e-commerce platform.
- DIY vs Professional Build: Building a website yourself with a website builder is more affordable but requires more of your time.
- Hosting & Domain Costs: Different hosting solutions have varying costs depending on factors like performance and server type.
DIY Website Builders vs. Professional Services
DIY Website Builders
If you’re on a tight budget or just need a simple site, using a website builder like Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress can be a good solution. According to Forbes, DIY website builders generally cost between £4 to £50 per month, depending on the features and plugins required. These platforms often have templates and drag-and-drop tools, making it easy to create a basic website without any technical skills.
Approximate Costs:
- Monthly Subscription: £4 – £50 per month
- Domain Name: £7 – £40 per year
- SSL Certificate: Often included but can be up to £120 per year for premium security
Professional Web Design Services
If you want something more polished, scalable, or customisable, a professional web designer or agency is the way to go. Hiring a web developer or agency in the UK can cost anywhere from £500 for a basic website to £150,000+ for complex projects, especially those requiring custom features or large-scale integrations.
Approximate Costs:
- Basic Website: £500 – £3,000
- Small Business Website: £1,000 – £5,000
- E-commerce Website: £2,000 – £60,000+
- Enterprise Website: £5,000 – £150,000+
Find out more about DIY website design vs. working with a professional in our guide.
Hosting and Domain Costs
Web hosting is a recurring cost that varies depending on the type of hosting selected:
- Shared Hosting: Ideal for small websites, typically costs between £2 to £15 per month.
- WordPress Hosting: Often ranges from £3 to £25 per month.
- VPS Hosting: Offers greater resources and costs from £20 to £100 per month.
- Dedicated Hosting: For high-traffic sites, costs start at £80 per month and can go beyond £500.
Additional Website Costs
Beyond the basics of building and hosting a site, there are several additional costs you should consider:
- Themes and Templates: Free themes are available, but premium themes cost between £30 to £200 for a one-time fee.
- Plugins and Extensions: E-commerce functionalities, SEO tools, and other customizations can range from £50 to £200 per year.
- SSL Certificate: While many hosting services offer a basic SSL for free, premium SSL certificates can cost between £50 to £200 per year.
- Maintenance Costs: Depending on the type of site, maintenance costs can range from £1,200 per year for small websites to £24,000 per year for corporate websites.
Is It Worth Hiring a Professional?
While building your website yourself is the cheapest option, hiring a professional can save you time and deliver better results. Professional designers bring expertise and can ensure your site is built for growth, is user-friendly, and has a high-quality design that aligns with your brand identity.
For many businesses, the decision between DIY and professional services comes down to the following factors:
- Time and Expertise: DIY requires time and patience, especially if you lack technical skills.
- Scalability: Professionals can create custom solutions that grow with your business.
- SEO Optimisation: A professional agency can help your site rank better on search engines from the outset.
With all this in mind, what do we offer at Yellowball? With expertise in everything from design to SEO and PPC, we have a range of services and prices.
Our web design and development projects generally range between £30,000 and £150,000, depending on the complexity and scope involved. For smaller businesses and startups, we offer more streamlined solutions starting from £2,600. Each project comes with a fixed fee based on a clearly defined scope of work, giving you complete transparency from the start, so there are no unexpected costs.
Finally, let’s take a look at a summary of the approximate costs we’ve covered in this article.
How Much Does a Website Cost – Approximate costs
| Element | Approx. Costs |
| Domain name | £7 to £40 per year |
| Web hosting | £1 to £11 per month |
| Template or theme | £4 to £25 (one time purchase) |
| Professional web design | £25 to £80-plus per hour |
| DIY website builder | £4 to £25 per month |
| SSL certificate | £0 to £120 per year |
Website Cost FAQs
How much does an ecommerce website cost in the UK?
For e-commerce websites, pricing can range from £2,000 to £60,000+, depending on features like payment systems and inventory management.
Can I create a website for free?
Yes, it’s possible to create a website for free using website builders such as Wix, Webflow, HubSpot and more. However, some free website builders will place ads on your website.
How much should I pay for a website?
You can create a website for free using a website builder. For professional website services these typically start from £1,500 – £3,000.
What’s the difference between web design and development?
Web design and development is often fulfilled by the same person. Web design focuses on how the website looks. Web development focuses on implementing these designs on the backend and maintaining the website’s structure.
The cost of building a website in the UK depends on your requirements and the resources you have available. For a small informational site, using a DIY builder may be ideal, keeping costs below £50 per month. On the other hand, a custom-built e-commerce platform can cost tens of thousands of pounds but will provide a bespoke solution tailored to your business needs.
To make the best decision, start by outlining your goals and understanding what you need from your website. Whether you’re an individual looking to launch a personal project or a business owner planning to create an online store, there’s an option that fits every budget.
Yellowball is a multi-award-winning web design agency based in London. We work with businesses large and small, creating bespoke websites that shine online. Let our team show you what your online presence can do. Contact us today.
