Free tool
How much does a website cost in the UK?
Answer four quick questions and get a realistic cost estimate — comparing DIY builders, freelancers, and agencies. Every figure is sourced from real 2025–2026 UK pricing data, not made up to sell you something.
Step 1 of 4
What kind of website do you need?
Pick the one that sounds closest. Don't worry about getting it exactly right.
What affects the cost of a website?
Type of website
A simple brochure site with a few pages costs far less than an e-commerce shop or a custom web application. Most UK small businesses need something in the 4–7 page range, which typically costs £500–£2,500 from a freelancer.
Who builds it
DIY builders like Wix and Squarespace cost £12–£29 per month but you do all the work yourself. Freelancers charge a one-off fee and build something custom. Agencies charge more because they have bigger teams and higher overheads.
Content and copywriting
The words and images on your site aren't free. Professional copywriting for a 5-page site typically runs £1,500–£3,500 according to the 2025 ProCopywriters survey. Stock photography adds another £0–£400+ per image depending on the source.
Ongoing costs
Every website has running costs: domain registration (£5–£15/year for a .co.uk), hosting (£1–£30/month), email (£5–£12/month per user via Google Workspace or Microsoft 365), and maintenance. These add up regardless of who built the site.
Common questions
How much does a 5-page website cost in the UK?
A 5-page brochure website typically costs £500–£2,500 from a freelance web designer, £2,000–£5,000 from an agency, or £12–£29/month if you build it yourself on Squarespace or Wix. These figures are based on 2026 UK market averages from sources including Media Village, ExpertSure, and Brilliant Digital.
Is it cheaper to use Wix or hire a web designer?
Wix starts at £9/month (excluding VAT) for the Light plan, making it cheaper upfront. But over 3 years you'll spend £324–£900+ in subscriptions alone, you'll do all the work yourself, and you won't own the code. A freelancer charges a one-off fee and you own everything. The right choice depends on your budget, time, and how important your website is to your business.
What ongoing costs does a website have?
At minimum: domain registration (£5–£15/year for .co.uk), hosting (£1–£30/month for shared hosting), and an SSL certificate (usually free with modern hosting). Most businesses also need email hosting (£5–£12/month per user) and some form of maintenance or updates.
Why are agencies so much more expensive than freelancers?
Agencies have higher overheads — offices, account managers, project managers, multiple developers and designers. A freelancer works directly with you and has lower costs. London agencies in particular charge 20–40% more than regional equivalents. That doesn't necessarily mean better work, just a different business model.