Ask ten web designers what a small business website costs and you'll get ten different answers ranging from a few hundred pounds to tens of thousands. That's wildly unhelpful when you're trying to budget. So let's be honest and specific about what you actually get at each level — and where the real value lies.
The DIY Tier (£0–£300)
Website builders like Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress.com let you build it yourself for the cost of a subscription. This works for the very early stage or a simple "we exist" presence. The hidden cost is your time and the ceiling on customisation, SEO control, and conversion optimisation. Fine to start; most businesses outgrow it.
The Freelancer / Template Tier (£800–£3,000)
A professional working from a quality template gives you a polished, mobile-ready, properly-structured site without the custom-build price tag. For most small businesses, this is the sweet spot — exactly what our small business website service is built around. You get professional results and strategic input without paying for bespoke design you don't need.
The Custom Build Tier (£3,000–£10,000+)
Fully bespoke design, custom functionality, e-commerce, integrations, and a tailored content strategy live here. Worth it when you have specific requirements that templates can't meet — a complex booking system, a large product catalogue, or a brand that needs to stand out in a crowded premium market. For online stores specifically, see Shopify development.
What's Often Left Out of the Quote
The sticker price rarely tells the whole story. Ask what's included versus extra:
- Copywriting — is content written for you, or do you supply it?
- SEO setup — is the site actually optimised, or just "SEO-friendly"?
- Hosting, domain, and SSL — included or billed separately?
- Ongoing maintenance, updates, and security
- Revisions — how many rounds before extra charges apply?
The Real Question to Ask
Don't ask "how cheap can I get a website?" Ask "what will this website earn me?" A site that brings in two extra clients a month pays for itself many times over within a year. A bargain site that converts nobody is the most expensive option of all — a point we make in 5 signs your website is costing you customers.
Want a clear, fixed quote for your specific needs? Check our transparent pricing or book a free call for a tailored estimate.
- DIY builders suit the earliest stage; most businesses outgrow them
- The freelancer/template tier (£800–£3,000) is the sweet spot for most
- Custom builds are worth it only when you have needs templates can't meet
- Always clarify what's included: copy, SEO, hosting, maintenance, revisions
- Judge a website by what it earns, not by how little it costs