Have you ever tried to Google “how much does a website cost in the UK?” and ended up none the wiser?
The truth is, it’s not that simple. There are so many different ways to build a business website professionally, and so many different platforms to do it on – so it can feel overwhelming knowing which to choose for your business and budget.
I’ve been writing website content for over 20 years now, working with agencies, freelancers, web designers and developers over multiple platforms and builders.
So, I’m bringing you everything I’ve learned from the perspective of someone who goes behind the scenes of website design on a daily basis, without doing the actual design or build.
The average cost of a website in the UK – 2025
Okay, so let’s look at the different options to create a website for your business.
Website cost – DIY website on Squarespace or Wix: from £108 a year
If you genuinely don’t have a budget, you can create a simple website yourself using platforms like Wix or Squarespace. While it doesn’t cost £0 because you’ll still have to pay for a basic plan (Wix currently starts from £9 a month and Squarespace £12 a month), domain name, hosting, and potentially relevant plug ins or professional images, it’s the cheapest option for sure.
Platforms like Squarespace and Wix are designed for non-techy people to use them, so you can easily drag and drop blocks and fill in boxes with relevant wording.
You can end up with something that looks fine, but it won’t necessarily function like a professionally designed site without tools like search engine optimisation working behind the scenes to attract users.
You may also struggle to retain users on your site without professional, persuasive copywriting.
However, if you’re starting from nothing this is a good way to get started with a web presence.
Pros:
- Cheap.
- Easy.
Cons:
- Looks samey.
- DIY website builders have design and SEO limitations compared to platforms like WordPress.
- Can be overwhelming to do yourself.
- False economy if it doesn’t do what you need.
Website cost in the UK – freelance web designers & developers: £800 – £5,000
Working with a freelancer is a good mid-budget option if you want something more professional but don’t need an agency. Without the overheads of running an agency (staff pay, rents etc), freelancers can afford to charge a little less and work more flexibly.
A web designer or developer can make your site look great, but unless you also hire a copywriter or SEO specialist as well, you might still end up with a beautiful site that doesn’t attract or convert customers.
Pros:
- Cheaper than an agency.
- Professional platforms like WordPress deliver better results.
Cons:
- Potential poor performance without professional copy & SEO.
- Can take months.
Cost to build a website with an agency: £3,000 – £10,000+
Agencies tend to have in-house employees working on design, copy, SEO, and strategy, so you get a full team working on yourself. However, you pay more for the privilege, because agency overheads are higher.
If you have a complex business or need a large website (10+ pages, multiple integrations, e-commerce), choosing an web design agency can make sense – but it really depends on finding a good agency you can trust to get the job done on time and on budget.
Pros:
- Professional platforms like WordPress deliver better results.
- Team of specialists working on your site.
Cons:
- More expensive ££££.
- Agencies can have a reputation for being slow and unreliable.
The smart middle ground for small businesses: the One Day Website (£2,400)
Seeing all of the challenges small businesses experience working with DIY platforms, juggling multiple freelancers, and trying to get hold of their agency prompted me to come up with a better solution.
Together with my regular collaborator, Gaby Marsden from Thrive Digital, I created the One Day Website.
It lands perfectly in that sweet spot between freelancer and agency – two experts, one day, one flat price.
Here’s what you get for £2,400:
- Fully built and designed customised five-page WordPress website by a web developer and SEO expert
- Strategy session in the morning to nail your message
- Live, launched, and ready to share by the end of the day
- User-friendly video tutorials so you feel confident adding blogs and updating images and text.
It’s designed for businesses that want to look professional, rank well, and launch fast, without the endless back-and-forth of a traditional build.
Pros:
- Perfect for small service businesses who need a simple five-page site.
- Fast.
- One simple cost.
- Two experts working together.
- Clear communication.
- Better value than an agency site.
Cons:
- This service isn’t suitable for ecommerce websites or complex requirements (contact us about a bespoke website quote).
What you’re paying for with a One Day Website
When you pay for a website, you’re not just buying the pages themselves. You’re also backing your business and investing in:
- Clarity: clear messaging that speaks directly to your customer and encourages action.
- Trust: a professional design shows you mean business, building brand trust, recall, and loyalty.
- Visibility: SEO that helps people find you on Google.
- Momentum: the ability to launch and grow rather than procrastinating forever.
- Time: a good website saves you time answering common questions and doing repetitive admin duties than drain your diary, freeing you up to grow your business and achieve a better balance.
A good website pays for itself because it helps you attract and convert clients while you sleep (sometimes literally!).
So… how much should you spend on creating a website?
If your business is just starting out and you’re testing ideas, a DIY option might do the job for now. However, if you have a budget, I’d highly recommend investing now rather than later, so you can start reaping the rewards and hitting your goals faster.
If you’re established and ready to grow or brand new and want to hit the ground running, invest in a site that achieves that for you.
For most small businesses in the UK, a realistic budget for a professional, strategic website is between £2,000 and £3,000.
That’s exactly where the One Day Website sits – and there are payment options available if it helps with cashflow.
Ready to hit the ground running with a professional, bespoke website that sets you apart from the competition?
Invest in a One Day Website and prepare to proudly show off your site to the world by next week – are you in?
£2,400 | Two experts | One day | Zero overwhelm