How much does a Website Cost UK
In today’s digital world, having a website is crucial for businesses, whether they operate online or offline. Website design cost varies depending on the type of service you choose.
If you opt for an agency or freelance web designers, the average cost of setting up a website can range from £1,000 to £20,000 plus. However, using a website builder can cost you nothing up to £370 per month. Maintenance costs can range from £300 to £50,000 per year, but using a website builder can cut that cost down to £0 to £3,000 per year.
The cost of elements needed to create a website
There are a number of components that make up every website. These components and their prices are summarized in the table below.
- Domain name = £0 – £100+ yearly
- Web hosting = £0 – £2000+ yearly
- Content Creation = £0 – £5,000+ yearly
- Website security = £0 – £250+ yearly
- SEO and marketing = £0 – £10000 monthly
What are the ongoing website costs in the UK?
Website design cost can vary greatly, with annual maintenance fees ranging from £100 to over £20,000. The typical expenses involved in maintaining a website include renewals for website builders, domains, SSL certificates, and web hosting
Additional costs may arise from purchasing n.ew extensions or opting for a complete website redesign. Below we set out How much it costs to maintain a website monthly in the UK?
Website builders
There are website builders like Wix or Shopify that enable you to create a website without spending alot of money. However, it’s high likely that you might need to upgrade to one of their premium plans, which means you’ll need to pay to connect a custom domain or payment gateway.
Depending on which website builder tool you choose, the cost of upgrading to a premium plan may vary greatly. For example, Wix’s basic plan is available for £7.50, while Shopify’s advanced plan can cost as much as £344.
Website hosting cost in the UK?
When it comes to web hosting, there are different types of hosting services to choose from, such as shared web server, managed web server, VPS, and dedicated hosting.
The cost of these services varies widely, starting at about £2.99 per month and going up to £500+ per month, depending on the specific features offered. Shared hosting is generally the most budget-friendly option since you share a server with other websites, whereas dedicated hosting can be the most costly because you have a server all to yourself.
Domain registration costs
Securing a custom domain for your website can come with additional costs. While some hosts may offer a free domain for the first year, renewing a custom domain typically costs around £9.99 per year.
However, it’s important to note that the price may vary depending on whether you opt for domain privacy and protection, which can add an extra £10 per year to your domain costs. Overall, these additional expenses should be considered when planning out your website design costs.
SSL certificate
To keep sensitive information, such as passwords and payment details, secure between a visitor’s browser and your website, an SSL certificate is essential. This technology is widely accepted as a standard security measure and can improve your website’s visibility on search engines.
Some web hosts may offer a standard SSL certificate at a cost of around £50 per year, while an extended certificate providing the highest level of validation could cost £100 or more.
Alternatively, it’s possible to purchase an SSL certificate from a specialist provider. However, this option may be more challenging to set up with your hosting account and might apply only to your website. These costs should be considered when calculating your website design cost.
Content creation
Consistently creating fresh content is crucial for boosting your search engine rankings. This content may include SEO copywriting, images, videos, and social media posts.
Designers typically charge for content creation based on either an hourly rate or a project fee, with prices ranging from £30 to over £100 per hour. It’s worth noting that website design costs and domain costs are separate expenses from content creation. To improve your online presence and attract more traffic, investing in regular content creation is a wise decision.
Website security
Ensuring website security is critical in preventing cybercriminals and scammers from stealing sensitive customer information. For those who have a WordPress site, there are free security plugins available, but for robust security measures on larger websites, the cost could run up to £250 per month.
Prioritising website security is an investment in safeguarding your business and your customers, and it is worth factoring it within the website design cost to maintain your reputation and trustworthiness online.
Website maintenance
If your own website is built on a content management system like WordPress, you’ll need to keep it updated throughout the year. These updates usually involve your WordPress core, plugins, and custom theme up-to-date to comply with website guidelines and apply any security patches released. The cost for this service typically averages around £250 or more.
Many web designers offer maintenance packages that include regular updates and support, which can save you time and money in the long run. Hiring a web designer for these services ensures that your website is always performing optimally and is up-to-date with the latest security measures.
Search engine optimisation
In today’s digital era, SEO is a crucial component of any online business. Without effective SEO, generating revenue can be challenging. Search engines favour websites that load quickly and provide relevant content to users. If you’re working with a web designer, it’s a good idea to check if they include SEO services in their package.
Otherwise, you may need to budget for additional monthly SEO expenses, which typically start from around £199. It’s essential to note that website cost and web designer fees are separate from SEO expenses. While SEO may seem like an added expense, it’s a vital investment in your website’s visibility, attracting potential customers and increasing revenue in the long run. security measures.
The cost of various website types
Website design costs vary tremendously, and the old saying “you get what you pay for” rings true when it comes to creating a website. While free website templates are available, they may not provide the dynamic and eye-catching design that a prize-winning website requires. If you’re aiming for a top-notch website, it’s likely best to invest in professional web design services.
Basic website
Generally, the cost of a basic website depends on various factors, such as its complexity, functionality, and design requirements. For individuals and small businesses looking for a cost-effective solution and a simple website price, freelance web designers can offer expert web design at a reasonable price. Their flexible approach and personalized attention make them an excellent choice for those on a budget.
However, the cost of designing a web page will increase if you’re seeking a comprehensive package that includes branding and professional expertise, investing in an established web design company. These companies often offer a range of services, including branding and marketing consultation, which can enhance your website’s impact and help you establish a strong online presence. Consider your specific needs and budgetary constraints when determining the most suitable option for your basic website.
Advanced website
For small or medium-sized businesses that require more advanced features, owning an advanced website is an excellent choice to get your business online. In the UK, the cost of developing such a site ranges from £1500 to £5,000, depending on the business’s specific needs.
These websites offer multiple pages with various functions, including social media integration, a booking system, Google Analytics and Maps, and the ability to use Google My Business. They are designed to be mobile-friendly, with more web pages than standard websites. A wordPress website with WooCommerce integration are a popular option for web designers looking to create an advanced website for their clients.
When considering website development cost, it’s important to remember that an advanced website may require a more significant investment, but it can provide valuable features that can benefit your business in the long run.
Bespoke websites
Bigger businesses looking for advanced functionality or handling significant traffic require bespoke websites. A bespoke website is tailor-made to meet a specific set of requirements from the ground up. These sites often use databases and provide an infinite number of sub-pages and powerful features.
Bespoke websites are optimized for mobile adaptability, offering a more fluid layout that ensures an excellent user experience on mobile devices. Web designers must have specialized expertise to develop such websites, and the cost may start at £15000.
Although a bespoke website require a more significant investment, they provide businesses with exceptional features, scalability, and a unique identity that sets them apart from the competition. Therefore, it can be an excellent option for larger businesses that require a sophisticated online presence.
Ecommerce website
The cost of an eCommerce web design project can vary depending on the number of products and versions of each item you want to sell, as well as the additional features you require. In comparison to a small business website, an eCommerce website should have an ordering system, shipment tracking tools, and a webchat option.
Web design prices for an eCommerce website design and development in the UK typically starts at £1500, but it’s essential to be clear about your needs to get an accurate price from your website designer. The cost of an online store also varies based on the platform you choose. Some of the best eCommerce platforms available in the UK include Magento, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Shopify.
Choosing the right platform can help streamline the process of the web developer and ensure the successful launch of your eCommerce website. Investing in a well-designed eCommerce website is crucial for businesses that want to sell products online and provide a seamless shopping experience for their customers.
Comparing the costs of freelancers and a web design company
Freelance developer
Freelancers tend to be self-made web designers that don’t belong to any agency or company. Their rates usually range from £25 to £75 per hour, and they’ll work for you as long as your agreement lasts.
Freelancers generally have no company restrictions, are creative people, and are also affordable. However, they will usually do two jobs at once (designing and coding), and they rarely maintain your website afterwards, meaning that once a website is complete, they’re onto the next one.
Listed below are some other disadvantages to using a website builder
Most freelancers have a single skillset, such as coding. As a result, they may have limited knowledge of other key skills including design, web copy writing, and marketing.
It is inevitable that freelancers will deliver work late or to an unacceptable standard. The risk will be present, especially if this is your first time working with them, or if their website does not have any testimonials.
You may also experience problems if they become ill, since they are the only one responsible for your work. This may cause you to miss deadlines or have no one to complete the work.
Freelancers may work on more than one project simultaneously. It is more likely to happen if they have built relationships with their other clients or are getting paid more. As a result, your project may not always be at the top of their list.
A freelance developer works alone, so it may take longer than outsourcing to a professional web designer company. This can be problematic, especially if you have a deadline.
Web design company
Typically, web design companies have teams of specialists working together on a project. Web design agencies offers teams of experts with differing skill sets at your disposal. A big advantage here is that each element of your website will be designed to a high standard, resulting in a great final product.
A web design agency will have worked on many more websites than a freelancer. Their experience with creating websites will mean that they have developed a workflow that allows them to be much more efficient.
To maintain their credibility, they will not stop working on your project even when someone is sick or on holiday.
We understand that there are a lot of decisions to make once you decide to create a website but our website cost calculator is a great start to getting a website cost.