SD Technologist Ltd

In the UK, a professionally built website can cost anywhere from £100 to over £30,000. A 2024 survey by the UK Web Design Association found that the average cost of website design for small businesses in the UK ranges between £3,000 to £10,000. The UK Government’s Digital Economy Report further highlights that SMEs that invested in better websites saw a 28% increase in customer engagement, especially post-pandemic. This data proves that website investment is not a luxury—it’s a growth driver. Here’s a complete breakdown of website development costs to help you plan with clarity.

UK Website Type Costs

Website Type Cost Range Use Case
Basic Five Page Site £500 – £1,500 Local businesses, freelancers
WordPress Website £800 – £5,000+ Blogs, startups, scalable sites
E-Commerce Website £2,000 – £50,000+ Retailers, online platforms
Web App £10,000 – £100,000+ SaaS, marketplaces, custom tools
Maintenance (Year) £220 – £5,500 Hosting, updates, security

1. Five Page Website

five page website sample

Ideal for startups and local businesses that just need an online presence.

Estimated Cost: £500 – £3,000 Includes: Homepage, about, services, and contact page. Time to build: 1 to 4 weeks. Who it suits: Local service providers, tradespeople, personal brands.

2. E-Commerce Website

ecommerce website sample
Online stores require more features such as product management, checkout, and security layers. Estimated Cost: £2,000 – £50,000+ Includes: Product pages, cart, payment integration, stock system. Price factors: Product count, custom checkout flow, multi-language/multi-currency support.

3. Custom-Built Website

custom built websites cost
These are tailored platforms with advanced functionality. Estimated Cost: £5,000 – £30,000+ Includes: Bespoke UI/UX, custom database structures, API integrations. Common use cases: Fintech platforms, SAAS apps, booking systems.

4. Web Applications

Used by startups and scale-ups, these require full-stack development. Estimated Cost: £10,000 – £100,000+ Includes: Real-time features, dashboards, scalable architecture. Often built using: React.js, Node.js, Laravel, Python.

Cost of Website Design & Development UK

1. DIY Tools (e.g., Wix, WordPress)

Cost: £100 – £500 upfront, plus hosting. Pros: Cheapest method, quick setup. Cons: Limited customization, lower performance, SEO limitations.

2. Freelancing

Cost: £30 – £60/hour or £200 – £400/day. When to hire: For brochure sites or phased builds.

3. Web Design Agencies

Cost: £5,000 – £10,000+ depending on project scope. Pros: Full-stack development, project management, SEO alignment. Cons: Higher upfront cost, longer lead time.

Ongoing Website Costs (Annual)

Item Cost Range
Domain Name £10 – £15
Hosting £210 – £480
SSL Certificate £0 – £100+
Maintenance £3,000 – £5,000 (eCom)
SEO & Marketing £300 – £2,000+
Website maintenance includes updates, backups, uptime monitoring, and content updates. For dynamic platforms like e-commerce websites, this upkeep is crucial to prevent revenue loss from downtime or security breaches.

What Affects UK Website Prices?

1. Custom vs Template: Templates reduce upfront costs. Custom design improves branding but starts from £1,500.

2. Functionality Needs: Booking systems, multilingual support, gated content areas—these increase development time and price.

3. Platform Choice: WordPress is cheaper for blogs and corporate sites. Shopify or custom builds suit retail better.

4. Developer Skill Level: Senior developers and award-winning agencies charge premium rates for their expertise.

Building a site that converts and scales needs more than just design—it needs strategy. That’s why hundreds of UK businesses trust SDTechnologist for professional website development services. Whether you’re launching a basic five page site or a feature-rich e-commerce website, SDTechnologist provides tailored solutions aligned with UK business needs.

FAQs

1. What Is the Average Cost of Website Design for Small Business in the UK?

The cost of an average webstie design is anywhere between £3,000 to £10,000, depending on design, functionality, and who builds it.

2. Can I Build a WordPress Website Myself?

Yes, using free themes and plugins. But professional developers bring better design, SEO, and performance.

3. How Much Does It Cost to Maintain a Website?

Expect £300 – £5,500 annually, depending on complexity, hosting, and ongoing updates.

4. Do Agencies Include Hosting in Their Costs?

Sometimes. Most offer it as an add-on or will guide you to suitable third-party providers.