Ask ten web designers how much a website costs and you'll probably get ten different answers, plus a lot of "it depends". That's not very helpful when you're running a business and trying to set a budget.
I've spent more than 35 years in design, a lot of it at advertising agencies, so I've seen how websites get priced from the inside. In this article I'll explain what you're actually paying for, the two main ways of paying, and exactly what I charge, so you can decide what's right for you.
What are you actually paying for?
A website isn't just a one-off design job. Behind every good small business website there are a few things that need doing, whoever you choose:
- Design and build. Getting the look, the words and the layout right so people trust you and get in touch.
- Hosting. The space on the internet where your website lives, so it's online day and night.
- Security. Keeping the site safe and showing the padlock in the browser, which customers (and Google) expect.
- Updates. New prices, new photos, opening hours at Christmas. A website that's never updated soon looks neglected.
- Working on phones. Most of your visitors will be on a phone, so the site has to look sharp on a small screen as well as a big one.
When you compare prices, check which of these are included. A cheap quote that leaves out hosting, security or updates can end up costing more in time and hassle.
Paying up front or paying monthly
There are two main ways to pay for a website.
Paying up front means one larger bill at the start. After that, you're usually responsible for hosting, renewals and changes, and you'll often pay extra each time you need something updated.
Paying monthly spreads the cost. You pay a small setup fee, then a fixed amount each month that covers the hosting, security and updates. For most small businesses this is easier to budget for, and you're never left on your own with a website you don't know how to change.
That's why I offer websites as a simple monthly plan. I design it, build it, host it and keep it up to date, so you never have to think about it.
What I charge
Here are my three website plans, with the prices exactly as they are on my site:
| Plan | Monthly | Setup | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | from £35 | £199 | Sole traders who need a smart one-page website |
| Business | from £55 | £199 | Shops, salons, studios and clubs that take bookings, with up to 5 pages |
| Pro | from £99 | £399 | Growing businesses that sell online, with up to 10 pages |
Every plan includes a website that works on phones, tablets and desktops, with hosting and security included. There are no long contracts. You can cancel with 30 days' notice, and after 24 months the website is yours to keep.
Most sites go live within 14 days, and I take care of everything along the way.
Which plan do you need?
A simple way to decide:
- If people mainly need to know who you are, what you do and how to reach you, the Essential plan is usually enough.
- If customers book appointments or classes, the Business plan adds online bookings, a live timetable and your Google Business profile set up.
- If you want to sell online, with an online shop or gift vouchers, the Pro plan is the one to look at.
Not sure? That's completely normal. Tell me about your business and I'll suggest the right one. If you start small, you can move up a plan later as you grow.
See what you'd get before you spend a penny
It's hard to judge a website from a price list, so I've built a set of live demo websites for different kinds of business, including a salon, a plumber, a garage and a gym. They're real, working websites you can click around on your phone.
Have a look at the demo websites and see which style feels right for you.
Get in touch
If you'd like a website that looks professional, works on every phone and doesn't come with surprise bills, I'd love to hear from you. It's a free, no-obligation chat, and you'll deal with me directly from start to finish.