The short answer
A DIY website builder costs from a couple of pounds to a few hundred pounds a month. A freelance web designer usually charges around £300 to £1,000 for a basic small business site. Agencies cost thousands. On top, you'll pay for a domain name and hosting. With me it's £350, then £25 a month.
What does a website builder cost?
Builders like Wix, Squarespace and GoDaddy charge a monthly or yearly plan. Startups.co.uk's 2026 comparison puts plans anywhere from £1.99 to £259 a month, with yearly billing working out cheaper. The cheap plans often come with adverts or limits, so most small businesses end up on a mid-range plan.
The subscription is only part of the cost. You also need time to build the pages and write the words, then check the settings before you publish.
What does a freelance web designer cost?
For a basic small business site, freelancers typically charge around £300 to £1,000, according to the same Startups.co.uk guide. A fully bespoke site with lots of custom features can run to £10,000 or more, but a plumber or electrician rarely needs that.
Most freelancers also charge monthly for hosting and changes, so check what's included before you sign up.
What does a web design agency cost?
Agencies charge more because there's a team behind the work. Startups.co.uk quotes small agencies at roughly £50 to £150 an hour, and larger ones higher still, which soon adds up to thousands for a full site. That makes sense for big companies, but it's usually more than a local trade business needs.
What other costs are there?
- Domain name (your web address): around £8 to £20 a year
- Hosting (keeping the site online): around £20 to £300 or more a year if it isn't included
- Changes: some designers charge per change, others include them in a monthly fee
- Extras like online booking, paid plugins or ongoing SEO work, if you want them
What should a tradesperson's website include for the money?
Whatever you pay, a site for a local trade business should work properly on a phone, have big tap-to-call and WhatsApp buttons, list your services and the towns you cover, show your reviews and qualifications, and be set up so Google can read it. If a quote doesn't cover those, ask why.
What does Hall Digital UK charge?
I build websites for trades and small businesses across the UK for £350, then £25 a month. The monthly fee covers hosting and any changes you need, like new photos, prices or services. I'm offering my first three customers the build for £250.
You also see a free demo of your site on your own phone before you pay anything, so you know exactly what you're getting.
Questions
Is £350 cheap for a website?
For a small business site built for you, it sits at the lower end of what UK freelancers typically charge. It's kept simple on purpose: one clear site that gets customers calling, without features you don't need.
Do I have to pay monthly for a website?
Something has to pay for hosting, the service that keeps your site online. Builders charge a monthly or yearly plan, and most web designers charge a monthly fee that covers hosting and changes. With me it's £25 a month.
Can I get a website for free?
Some builders have free plans, but they usually show the builder's adverts and don't let you use your own web address, which looks less professional to customers.
Sources: Startups.co.uk: How much does a website cost for a small business? (updated March 2026).