What affects the cost of a website?
Two websites that look similar can cost very different amounts. The price mostly comes down to five things:
- Number of pages. A one-page site costs less than a site with a page for every service and area you cover.
- Copywriting. Writing clear, persuasive text that also works for Google takes time. Some quotes include it, some don’t.
- Design. A template with your logo is quicker than a design built around your brand.
- Features. Quote forms, booking, galleries, reviews and online payments all add work.
- SEO set-up. Page titles, descriptions, headings, speed and structured data decide whether Google can understand and show your pages.
DIY builder, freelancer or agency: how do they compare?
| Option | Typical cost | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY website builder | Monthly or yearly subscription | Very small budgets and simple sites | Your time, limited SEO control, generic templates |
| Freelancer | About £800–£3,000 (one UK estimate) | A solid site on a sensible budget | Availability, and who looks after the site later |
| Agency | About £2,500–£10,000 (one UK estimate) | Businesses that want design, SEO and marketing together | Paying for features you don’t need |
The ranges above are from Whito’s UK guide to roofer website costs. Prices vary by region and supplier, so treat them as a guide, not a quote.
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Tell us what you need and we’ll send a free, no-obligation quote, with no hidden extras.
What running costs should you budget for?
The build is only part of the cost. Most websites also have ongoing costs:
- Domain name, renewed every year.
- Hosting, usually monthly or yearly.
- Updates and security, especially for WordPress sites.
- Changes and new pages as your business grows.
- Marketing, such as SEO or Google Ads, if you want the site to bring in a steady flow of enquiries.
How do you know if a website is worth the money?
Judge a website by the enquiries it brings in, not by how it looks. A good small business website should:
- Load quickly on a phone.
- Show your phone number and a quote button on every page.
- Explain clearly what you do and where you work.
- Show real reviews and photos of your work.
- Have the SEO basics in place so it can be found on Google.
If you want people to find the site on Google, read our guide on whether to start with Google Ads or SEO, and how to get your business on Google Maps.
FAQs
Can I get a website for free?
Some builders have free plans, but they usually show the builder’s branding and don’t let you use your own domain name. For a business, a paid plan or a properly built site looks more trustworthy.
How long does it take to build a small business website?
A simple site can be built quickly once the content is ready. Waiting for photos, text and approvals is usually what slows a project down.
Do I need to pay for SEO separately?
The SEO basics should be part of any good website build. Ranking for competitive searches in your area usually needs ongoing SEO work on top.
Want a fixed quote for your website?
We build fast, mobile-first websites for UK local businesses. See our web design service or get a free quote.
