“How much will a website cost?” is the first question almost every business owner asks us, and the honest answer is that it depends on what the site needs to do. Prices in the UK range from a few hundred pounds to tens of thousands. This guide explains the typical costs in 2026, what drives them, the running costs people forget, and how to get a quote you can trust.
Typical website costs in the UK (2026)
Published UK price guides from early 2026 put typical build costs in these ranges:
| Type of website | Freelancer | Agency |
|---|---|---|
| Basic brochure site (about 5 pages) | £500–£1,500 | £3,000–£12,000 |
| Small business site (5–10 pages) | £1,000–£3,000 | £1,500–£5,000+ |
| Ecommerce store (WooCommerce or Shopify) | £2,000–£5,000 | £5,000–£15,000 |
| Complex custom store or web app | – | £12,000–£40,000+ |
London agencies tend to sit at the top of these ranges. The gap between the cheapest and most expensive quotes usually comes down to how much custom design, functionality and strategy is included, not just the number of pages.
What affects the price?
- Number of pages and content. A 5-page site costs far less than a 30-page one, and having your text and photos ready saves time and money.
- Template or custom design. A customised theme is quicker; a fully bespoke design takes longer and costs more.
- Features. Online payments, bookings, memberships, multiple languages or links to other systems all add work.
- Ecommerce. Product uploads, shipping rules, tax settings and payment gateways add cost. More products means more setup.
- SEO and speed. A site built with search in mind from day one costs a little more but avoids paying to fix problems later.
- Who builds it. Freelancers are usually cheapest; agencies cost more but bring design, development and marketing under one roof.
Ongoing costs to budget for
| Cost | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Domain name (.co.uk) | £10–£15 a year |
| Hosting | £7–£100 a month, depending on the site |
| Maintenance, updates and backups | £25–£300 a month |
| Shopify subscription (if using Shopify) | from about £19 a month, plus payment fees |
| SEO (optional, for growth) | from a few hundred pounds a month |
One published guide suggests most small businesses should budget roughly £500–£2,500 a year for running costs, with online stores needing more.
Shopify or WooCommerce: which is cheaper?
Shopify is usually quicker and cheaper to launch, but you pay a monthly subscription and transaction fees for as long as the store runs. WooCommerce runs on WordPress with no platform subscription, which can work out cheaper over a few years, but needs good hosting and regular updates. For a small product range, Shopify is often the simplest start; for stores that need more control or custom features, WooCommerce is a strong option.
How to get an accurate quote
- List what the site must do: for example, take enquiries, sell products, or take bookings.
- Count your pages and products, and say whether text and photos are ready.
- Share two or three websites you like, and what you like about them.
- Ask for an itemised, fixed quote, including what support is included after launch.
- Check running costs: hosting, maintenance and any subscriptions.
Red flags to watch for
- A price with no breakdown of what is included.
- No mention of who owns the website and domain once it is paid for.
- No backups, security updates or support after launch.
- Promises of guaranteed first-page Google rankings: nobody can guarantee these.
What 1ClickMaster charges
We publish clear starting prices so you can budget before you talk to us. Business websites start from £1,495, Shopify stores from £1,295 and monthly SEO from £395. See the full list on our pricing page, or browse our website design, SEO and care plan services.
Want a fixed price for your project? Request a free quote and we will reply within one working day.
Price ranges are taken from published UK guides (January–March 2026) and are for guidance only. Sources: Kwiboo – How much does a website cost in the UK? (2026); Lilo – Website design cost UK 2026.