Website Design Costs UK 2026: Complete Pricing Guide

What You'll Actually Pay for Website Design in 2026

Website design costs in the UK have shifted significantly since 2024. Whether you're a small business launching your first site or an established company needing a redesign, understanding current pricing is essential before you commit your budget.

The amount you'll spend depends entirely on what you need. A basic brochure site might cost £800 to £3,000, whilst a sophisticated e-commerce platform could reach £15,000 to £50,000 or beyond. Most small to medium businesses in the UK spend between £2,500 and £8,000 for a professional, functional website that converts visitors into customers.

Inflation, increased demand for mobile-first design, and more sophisticated security requirements have all pushed prices upward compared to 2025. Competition among designers and agencies has also increased, creating more options at different price points. The key is matching your needs to the right provider type and budget tier.

Freelance Website Designers: Budget-Friendly Options

Freelance designers offer the most cost-effective route for many UK businesses. You'll find designers on platforms like Upwork, PeoplePerHour, and Fiverr, as well as through direct recommendations. Pricing varies widely based on experience and location.

A junior designer with a portfolio might charge £25 to £50 per hour, resulting in a total project cost of £1,500 to £4,000 for a five-page site. Mid-level freelancers typically ask £50 to £100 hourly, bringing projects to £3,000 to £8,000. Experienced freelancers who specialise in conversions or specific industries charge £100 to £200+ per hour.

Working with freelancers gives you these advantages:

• Lower overhead costs passed directly to you as savings
• More personalised attention and flexibility on project scope
• Access to specialists in niche areas like SEO or accessibility
• Faster turnaround times for smaller projects
• Direct communication without account managers

The downside is that project management and accountability rest entirely with you. If your freelancer disappears halfway through, you have limited recourse. Quality varies significantly, and you'll need to thoroughly review portfolios before hiring.

Web Design Agencies: Premium Service and Accountability

Established web design agencies in the UK typically charge between £4,000 and £25,000 for a standard business website. London and other major cities command higher rates than regional areas. A full-service agency project includes discovery, design, development, testing, and ongoing support.

Small agencies (2-5 people) usually price projects at £5,000 to £12,000 for straightforward sites. Medium-sized agencies (6-15 staff) generally work in the £8,000 to £20,000 range. Larger agencies with 20+ employees start at £15,000 and regularly exceed £40,000.

When you work with an agency, you get:

• Project manager assigned to your account from start to finish
• Structured design and development process with defined milestones
• Warranty and liability protection built into contracts
• Post-launch support, updates, and hosting included or discounted
• Team expertise spanning design, development, copywriting, and strategy
• Professional project management tools and documented processes

Accountability and peace of mind are the primary advantages of agencies. If something goes wrong, you have a company to hold responsible. Agencies also handle the entire process so you don't need project management skills yourself.

The trade-off is cost. Agencies operate with higher overhead, and you're paying for that infrastructure and stability. Response times can also be slower during busy periods.

DIY Website Builders: The Low-Cost Alternative

Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, Shopify, and GoDaddy offer DIY website creation tools priced between £10 and £50 monthly for basic plans. This makes them incredibly attractive for tight budgets or first-time website owners testing the market.

Here's what you'll typically spend:

1. Domain name: £8 to £15 annually
2. Basic plan: £10 to £20 monthly
3. E-commerce features: £20 to £45 monthly for Shopify-level functionality
4. SSL certificate: Often included in paid plans
5. Email hosting: £4 to £6 monthly if not included
6. Premium themes or apps: £0 to £500+ annually depending on choices

Total first-year cost for a basic business site ranges from £200 to £800. This is genuinely budget-friendly compared to traditional design. You'll spend your time rather than money, building the site yourself using templates and drag-and-drop editors.

However, limitations include restricted customisation compared to custom-built sites, limited SEO control, slower page speeds on free or cheap plans, and difficulty scaling if your business grows. You're also locked into that platform, making migration difficult and expensive later. For many small businesses just starting out, this trade-off is worth it.

E-Commerce Website Costs: A Separate Budget Category

E-commerce sites cost significantly more than informational brochure websites because they require shopping carts, payment processing, inventory management, and security compliance.

A basic e-commerce site from a freelancer starts at £3,000 to £6,000. Standard agency e-commerce projects run £8,000 to £20,000, and sophisticated, multi-featured stores easily exceed £30,000. Platforms like Shopify offer middle-ground pricing at £500 to £2,000 for setup and customisation.

Budget additional costs for payment gateway fees (typically 1.5% to 3.5% per transaction), SSL certificates for security, integration with inventory systems, and ongoing maintenance. Security compliance becomes much stricter, and you'll likely need professional installation and configuration of these systems.

Hidden Costs and Ongoing Expenses

The initial design price is only part of the story. Most businesses underestimate the total cost of ownership for a website. Factor in these ongoing expenses:

• Hosting: £5 to £50 monthly depending on performance needs
• Domain renewal: £8 to £15 annually
• Email hosting (if separate): £4 to £12 monthly
• SSL certificates: £50 to £300 annually (often included now)
• Regular updates and maintenance: £30 to £200 monthly
• Content updates and additions: £500 to £2,000 annually
• SEO and ongoing optimisation: £300 to £1,500 monthly
• Analytics and monitoring tools: £0 to £500 monthly

A £5,000 website investment becomes a £10,000 to £15,000 annual cost once hosting, updates, and maintenance are included over three years. Understanding this helps you make realistic budget decisions.

Getting Real Quotes and Comparing Options

Don't rely on generic pricing guides. Every project is unique, and the only way to get accurate quotes is to contact actual providers. When requesting quotes, be specific about your requirements: exact number of pages, required features, timeline, and ongoing support expectations.

Request quotes from at least three providers across different categories: a freelancer, a small agency, and one DIY platform. This gives you a realistic comparison of what each approach offers at your budget level. Ask what's included, what costs extra, and what your total three-year cost of ownership will be.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a basic website cost in the UK?

A basic brochure website typically costs between £800 and £3,000. This usually includes 5-10 pages, basic contact forms, and mobile responsiveness. DIY builders offer the cheapest option at £200-£800 for the first year, whilst freelancers start around £1,500-£4,000 for a custom site.

How much should I budget for an e-commerce website?

E-commerce sites cost significantly more due to payment processing, security, and inventory features. Expect £3,000-£6,000 from freelancers, £8,000-£20,000 from agencies, or £500-£2,000 for platform setup if using Shopify. Add ongoing costs like payment gateway fees (1.5-3.5% per transaction).

What's cheaper: hiring a freelancer or an agency?

Freelancers are usually cheaper, ranging from £1,500-£8,000 for a project. Agencies cost £4,000-£25,000+. You save money with freelancers but sacrifice accountability and professional project management. Agencies provide structure, warranty, and peace of mind at a higher price.

How much should I budget for website maintenance annually?

Plan for £1,000-£3,000 per year in hosting (£60-£600 annually), domain renewal (£8-£15), updates and maintenance (£360-£2,400), and security. SEO and content updates add another £3,600-£18,000 annually if included.

Can I build a website myself cheaply?

Yes. DIY platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify cost £10-£50 monthly. First-year total is typically £200-£800 for a basic site. You'll invest time instead of money, but you'll be limited on customisation, SEO control, and scaling potential.

What factors affect website design costs most?

Complexity matters most. E-commerce functionality, custom features, payment integration, and ongoing support all increase costs. Design complexity, number of pages, location of the designer or agency, and your timeline also impact pricing.