Short answer: there is no single price for a business website in the UK. The cost depends mainly on how many pages you need, how custom the design is, which features it must have (such as bookings or an online shop), who writes the content and what support you want after launch. A simple brochure site costs far less than a custom online shop or web app, so the most reliable way to know your cost is to get a quote based on your actual requirements.
Written by the Gazelle Agency team · Published 20 October 2026
What decides the cost of a website?
Two websites can look similar on the surface and still be very different jobs. These are the factors that make the biggest difference to the price.
- Number of pages. A five-page site with Home, About, Services, Contact and a privacy page is a smaller job than a site with a separate page for every service and location.
- How custom the design is. Adapting a well-built theme is quicker than designing every page from scratch around your brand.
- Features. Contact forms are standard. Online booking, quote calculators, member areas, multiple languages or connections to your CRM or accounting software add time.
- E-commerce. An online shop needs product pages, checkout, payments, delivery rules and stock management, and the work grows with the number of products.
- Content. Writing clear, search-friendly copy and sourcing good photos is real work. If you supply finished text and images, the cost is lower.
- SEO foundations. Page titles, descriptions, structured data, speed and a sensible page structure should be built in from the start rather than fixed later.
- Moving an existing site. Redesigns need content migration and redirects so you do not lose your Google rankings.
- Support after launch. Updates, backups, security monitoring and small edits are ongoing costs, usually paid monthly or yearly.
Common types of business website
| Type of website | What it usually includes | What pushes the cost up |
|---|---|---|
| Brochure website | A few pages explaining who you are, what you do and how to contact you | Custom design, extra service pages, professional copywriting |
| Lead-generation website | Service pages, quote or contact forms, reviews, clear calls to action | Online booking, CRM connections, a page for each service and area |
| Online shop | Product catalogue, basket, checkout, payments and delivery options | Number of products, product variations, integrations with stock or accounting systems |
| Custom web app or portal | Logins, dashboards, bespoke features | Complexity of features, data and security requirements |
Running costs to budget for
The build is not the only cost. Most websites also have running costs, and it is worth asking about them before you agree a quote.
- Domain name: renewed every year, for example yourbusiness.co.uk.
- Hosting: where the website lives. Better hosting means a faster, more reliable site.
- SSL certificate: the padlock in the browser. Many hosts now include a free certificate.
- Business email: addresses on your own domain, often through Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace.
- Plugin and theme licences: some premium tools charge a yearly fee.
- Maintenance: updates, backups and security checks to keep the site safe.
- Marketing: SEO, ads or content to bring visitors once the site is live.
Agency, freelancer or website builder?
| Option | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| DIY website builder | Very small budgets, simple one-off sites you are happy to build yourself | Your time, limited flexibility, and moving away later can be difficult |
| Freelancer | Smaller projects with a clear brief | Availability, and whether one person covers design, development, SEO and content |
| Agency | Projects that need design, development, SEO and content working together, plus ongoing support | Higher upfront cost than DIY; ask exactly what is included |
How to get an accurate website quote
A quote can only be as accurate as the brief behind it. Before you ask for prices, gather:
- What the website must achieve, such as calls, bookings or online sales
- The pages and services you want to include
- Must-have features, such as booking, a shop or a client login
- Who will write the content and provide photos
- Two or three websites you like, and why
- Your timescale and an honest budget range
- Who will look after the site after launch
Red flags in a website quote
- No mention of mobile design, page speed or basic SEO
- It is unclear who owns the website, domain and content when the project ends
- Large renewal fees that are not explained upfront
- A long minimum contract just to keep your site online
- No plan for redirects if you are replacing an existing site
- Promises of guaranteed first place on Google
Website cost questions answered
Is a cheap website worth it?
It can be, for a very simple need. The risk is a site that is slow, hard to find on Google, hard to update or does not bring in enquiries, which can cost more in lost business than you saved.
Do I own my website?
You should. Make sure the domain is registered in your name and that the agreement says the website and content belong to you once paid for.
How long does it take to build a business website?
A simple brochure site can take a few weeks. Larger sites and online shops take longer, and waiting for content is often the biggest delay.
Will I have to pay every month?
Most websites have some running costs, such as hosting, domain renewal and maintenance. Ask for these to be listed separately from the build cost.
Get a clear quote for your website
Every project is different, so we give a clear, itemised quote after a free consultation, based on what your website needs to do. See our web design and development, e-commerce websites and website maintenance services, or book a free consultation.