How much does a small business website cost in 2026?
Typical UK prices for a new website, hosting and upkeep, what pushes the price up, and the questions to ask before you pay.
By David West, Darlington Design · 26 October 2026
Website prices vary more than almost anything else a small business buys. The same five-page site can cost £400 or £8,000 depending on who builds it and how. Here are typical UK figures, what drives them, and what to check before you pay anyone, including me.
Typical UK prices in 2026
| Who builds it | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Freelance web designer, 5–10 page business website | £1,500–£3,000 |
| Regional agency, business website | £2,000–£8,000 |
| Hosting on its own | £5–£30 a month |
| Freelancer maintenance plan | £50–£150 a month |
Source: ExpertSure UK website design costs guide, prices verified October 2026. Ranges, not quotes: real prices depend on the job.
What pushes the price up
- Number of pages and how different they are. Five similar pages are quick; a shop, a booking system or a members’ area is not.
- Writing and photos. If you supply your own wording and good photos, the build is faster. Copywriting and photography are often the biggest extras.
- Custom design. A design built from scratch takes longer than a well-chosen layout adapted to your business.
- Who you’re paying for. Agencies have offices, account managers and sales teams. A freelancer doesn’t, which is why the same work often costs less.
The costs people forget
- Renewing the domain name every year or two
- Hosting and security updates, especially for WordPress
- Small changes: new prices, photos, opening times
- Booking systems, which often charge their own monthly fee or commission
Questions to ask before you pay
- Is the price fixed, and what exactly does it include?
- Will the domain name be registered in my name?
- What does hosting and upkeep cost each year after launch?
- How do I make small changes, and what do they cost?
- Can I see websites you’ve built for businesses like mine?
- If I leave, can I take the website and content with me?
My prices
I’m a single web designer in Darlington with over 20 years in IT. I do every part of the job myself, design, build, Google set-up and photography, and I don’t carry agency overheads, so my prices are about half the usual (here’s how). A new website of up to 5 pages is £595 (relaunch price until 31 December 2026, then £895), or £79 a month with nothing upfront. Quick fixes to an existing site are £199. Everything is fixed and agreed before I start, and your domain stays in your name. Full details are on the prices page.
Common questions
How much does a small business website cost in the UK?
For a 5–10 page business website built by a freelance web designer, typical UK prices are around £1,500–£3,000, and regional agencies typically charge £2,000–£8,000 (ExpertSure, prices verified October 2026). Template packages can be cheaper, and bespoke agency builds much more.
What are the ongoing costs of a website?
Expect hosting, a domain name and some upkeep. Hosting on its own is typically £5–£30 a month and a freelancer’s maintenance plan £50–£150 a month (ExpertSure, October 2026). A .co.uk domain is usually around £10–£15 a year.
Do I own my website?
You should. Make sure your domain name is registered in your name, and that you can take your content and photos with you if you move.
Want me to check your website?
I’ll send you a free, plain-English review of your website: how it works on a phone, Google’s speed test, and what to fix first, each with a price. No obligation.