What you’re actually paying for
Two websites can look similar and cost very different amounts. The price is driven by a handful of things:
- Custom design or a template. A design built around your brand and customers takes longer than adapting a theme, but it’s also what makes you look different from every competitor using the same template.
- Number of pages and content. A five-page brochure site and a thirty-page site with a page for every service are different projects. Who writes the words matters too: copywriting is often the most underestimated cost.
- Platform. A fast static site, WordPress (so you can edit it yourself) or a shop on Shopify or WooCommerce.
- Functionality. Bookings, quote forms, online payments, CRM and email marketing integrations all add time.
- SEO and tracking set-up. Page titles, structured data, Google Search Console, analytics and conversion tracking should be part of the build, not an afterthought.
Typical London website prices in 2026
| Type of website | Freelancer | Small / boutique agency | London agency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brochure site (3 to 5 pages) | £500 to £1,500 | £2,000 to £5,000 | From £8,000 (often £8,000 to £30,000+) |
| Business site (5 to 10 pages) | £1,500 to £3,000 | £3,000 to £8,000 | |
| Online shop | Shopify plans start from around £228 a year; custom eCommerce builds range from £3,000 to £35,000+ | ||
| Ongoing costs | £50 to £300 a month for hosting, domain, maintenance and updates | ||
Figures from ExpertSure’s 2026 UK website cost guide. Your quote will depend on the factors above.
The costs people forget
- Hosting, domain and SSL: small, but every year.
- Security updates and backups: especially on WordPress, where outdated plugins are the most common way sites get hacked.
- Content changes: new prices, new services, new photos. Find out what’s included and what’s charged by the hour.
- Licences: premium plugins, fonts and stock photos can carry yearly fees.
- Compliance: a privacy notice, cookie consent where needed, and basic accessibility.
One-off build or monthly subscription?
A one-off build suits businesses that have someone to look after the site afterwards, want to own and host everything themselves, and can afford the bigger bill up front.
A subscription spreads the cost and bundles hosting, updates, backups and support into one monthly price. Professional managed subscriptions in the UK typically cost £65 to £250 a month. Before you sign, check the minimum term, what happens at the end of it, and who owns the domain and content (it should always be you).
What a good website should include in 2026
- Designed for phones first: most local searches happen on mobile.
- Fast. Google’s research found that as mobile page load time goes from one second to three, the chance of a visitor bouncing rises by 32%.
- SEO foundations: unique page titles and descriptions, structured data, a sitemap, Search Console and a link from your Google Business Profile.
- Conversion tracking in Google Analytics 4, so you can see enquiries, not just visitors.
- Clear ways to get in touch on every page: WhatsApp, phone or a short form.
- Your domain registered in your name, and access to your own content.
- A privacy notice, and cookie consent where your analytics setup needs it.
What we charge
We publish our prices. Our web design subscriptions start at £495 setup plus £95 a month (up to 5 pages, hosting and updates included), with Business at £995 plus £175 a month and Premium at £1,950 plus £325 a month. Prefer to own it outright? One-off builds start from £1,950. There’s no VAT on top.
Seven questions to ask before you hire a web designer
- Can I see websites you’ve built for businesses like mine, and can I speak to one of those clients?
- Who writes the content, and who supplies the photos?
- Will I be able to update the site myself?
- What’s included after launch, and what costs extra?
- Who owns the domain, the design and the content?
- How will you set up SEO and tracking?
- What’s the minimum term, and what happens when it ends?