How much does a website cost in the UK in 2026?

A simple website in the UK costs anywhere from about £6 a month with a website builder to £3,000 or more for a custom design from an agency. Most sole traders, shops and local services end up somewhere in between. Here's what each option really costs, and what you get for the money.

Option 1: a website builder (£6 to £30 a month)

Website builders give you a ready-made design you fill in yourself, with hosting and security included. You pay monthly, and there's nothing to install.

Monthly prices for the cheapest plan that lets you use your own domain. Our own prices first, then the big names as listed by Startups.co.uk in August 2026:

• needthatwebsite: £5.99 (one page), £9.99 (several pages), £14.99 (online shop)
• Wix: from £11.50, or £19 to sell online
• Hostinger: from £11.99
• GoDaddy: from £12.99
• Squarespace: from £16
• Shopify: from £25 (shops only)

Prices change and many builders show a lower first-year price that goes up at renewal, so always check the renewal price before you commit.

Option 2: a freelance web designer (£500 to £2,500)

A freelancer builds the site for you. A simple brochure site of four or five pages typically costs £500 to £1,500 in the UK; a small online shop more. On top of that you'll usually pay for hosting (£5 to £30 a month) and for any changes after launch.

It's a good choice if you want something unusual or simply don't want to touch it. The catch is that every small change, like new prices or opening hours, often means waiting for someone else and paying for their time.

Option 3: an agency (£3,000 and up)

Agencies bring strategy, custom design and development. For bookings systems, complex shops or a big brand launch it can be worth it. For most local businesses it's more than they need.

The extras everyone forgets

• Domain name: around £10 to £20 a year for a .co.uk or .com.
• Professional email (you@yourbusiness.co.uk): from about £3 to £7 per mailbox per month.
• Payment fees if you sell online: card processors like Stripe charge per sale, and some platforms add their own commission on top.
• Your time: writing the words is often the slowest part of any website.

What should you budget?

1. 1Just need to be found and contacted? A one-page site: £6 to £12 a month plus a domain.
2. 2Several services, a blog or events? A multi-page site: £10 to £20 a month.
3. 3Selling online? A shop plan: £15 to £30 a month, and check the commission.