What’s the Price of a Website for a Small Business

By Olivia Johnson - Trusted UK Business Expert

4th of October 2024

5 minute read

As a business owner, you know that having a website is essential to your success. But what you might not know is that a small business website costs can vary widely, depending on your needs. 

Maybe you’re considering building a website for the first time and are trying to figure out how much it will cost. Or maybe you already have a website but are looking to redesign it and want to know how much that will set you back. 

One of the biggest challenges small business owners face when it comes to their website is not knowing how much it will cost. This can lead to sticker shock when they finally get a quote from a web designer or development team. 

To help you budget for a Website for a Small Business, we’ve put together this guide to small business website costs. We’ll cover what goes into the cost of a small business website, how to budget for one, and some tips for keeping your costs down. 

Cost of a Website for a Small Business 

For a business website, you can either go the do-it-yourself route with a (A) website builder like WordPress, Squarespace or Wix, or (B) you can hire a professional web designer or development team. 

If you’re wondering how much it will cost to build a small business website, the short answer is that it depends. But to give you some idea, here’s a breakdown: 

  • Hosting: £25 – £600 per year 
  • Domain Name: £3 – £100 per year 
  • Website builder subscription: £0 – £18 per month 
  • Ecommerce subscription: £0 – 240/month 
  • Apps and plugins: £0 – £100 per month 
  • Maintenance and support: £0 – £1,900 per year 
  • Security: £0 – £200 per year 
  • Agency rate*: £10 – £150 (if you outsource to an agency) 

A. Total (Website Builder): £30 – £1,000 per year 

B. Total (Website Designer/Agency) upfront: £4,000 – £60,000 per year; ongoing: £30 – £2,000 per year 

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What Goes Into the Cost of a Small Business Website 

There are a few factors that will influence the cost of your small business website. These include: 

  • Hosting and domain name: In order to have a website, you’ll need to pay for hosting and a domain name. This is typically a yearly fee and is separate from the cost of your website itself. A hosting is a service that allows your website to live on the internet and a domain name is your website’s address. 
  • Website builder subscription: If you’re not hiring someone to design and develop your website, you may be able to use a website builder. Website builders are do-it-yourself platforms that allow you to create a website without any coding. Most website builders have monthly subscription fees, although some may have annual plans. 
  • Ecommerce subscription: If you plan to sell products or services on your website, you’ll need an ecommerce subscription. This is a monthly fee that allows you to process payments and manage orders on your website. 
  • Apps and plugins: There are a variety of apps and plugins that you can use to add functionality to your website. These can range from social media integration to appointment scheduling. Most apps and plugins have monthly subscription fees, although some may be free. 
  • Maintenance and support: Once your website is up and running, you’ll need to pay for ongoing maintenance and support. This can be a monthly or yearly fee and is often included in the cost of your hosting. 
  • Security: If you want to keep your website and data safe, you’ll need to invest in security. This can be a one-time fee for a security certificate or an ongoing monthly fee for security monitoring. 

            How to Budget for a Small Business Website 

            The first step in budgeting for your small business website is to get an idea of what you need and want from your website. Make a list of all the features and functionality you’d like to have, as well as any must-have elements. Some features you might want to consider include: 

            • E-commerce: If you sell products or services online, you’ll need to budget for e-commerce functionality. This could include a shopping cart, payment gateway, shipping calculations, and tax calculations. 
            • Membership area: If you offer membership-based access to content or services, you’ll need to budget for a membership area. This could include features like user accounts, login forms, and content restrictions. 
            • Forum: If you want to offer a forum on your website, you’ll need to budget for software to power it, as well as moderation and support. 
            • Blog: A blog is a great way to add fresh content to your website and attract new visitors. If you want to include a blog on your website, you’ll need to budget for hosting, design, and maintenance. 

                  Once you have a good understanding of what you need, you can start shopping around for quotes. Be sure to get quotes from a few different web design and development firms so that you can compare pricing. 

                  When you’re looking at quotes, be sure to ask about all the costs involved. This includes things like design, development, hosting, domain names, maintenance, and any other fees that may be applicable. 

                  Website Builder Vs. Web Design Agency 

                  If you want to save money on your small business website, you may be considering using a website builder instead of hiring a web design agency. Website builders can be a good option for simple websites, but they have limitations. If you need a more complex website or one with custom features, you’ll likely need to hire a web design agency. 

                  The most popular website builder is WordPress. WordPress.com is a good option for small businesses that need a simple website. It’s easy to use and offers a variety of features, including e-commerce, membership areas, and forums. However, the learning curve can be steep and you may need to hire a WordPress expert to help you set up and manage your website. 

                  Hiring a web design agency is the best option for businesses that need a complex or custom website. An agency will be able to create a website that meets all your specific needs. They can also help you with things like search engine optimization, social media integration, and email marketing. However, hiring an agency can be more expensive than using a website builder. 

                  Tips for Keeping Your Small Business Website Costs Down 

                  There are a few things you can do to keep your small business website costs down. Here are some tips: 

                  • Start with a basic design: You can always add more complex features and functionality later. Starting with a basic design will help keep your costs down. 
                  • Choose an off-the-shelf theme: If you’re using a content management system like WordPress, you can save money by choosing an off-the-shelf theme. 
                  • Do it yourself: If you’re comfortable with web design and development, you can do it yourself. This will obviously save you money, but it will take more time and effort. 
                  • Outsource: If you need help with specific tasks, you can outsource those tasks to freelancers or agencies. This can save you money, but it’s important to make sure you find reputable and reliable providers. 

                        FAQ

                        How much does a simple website cost for a small business?

                        A simple website with a few pages and basic features can cost between £500 and £1,500 if you hire a freelancer or agency. DIY platforms may offer cheaper options starting from £10 per month.

                        Can I build a website for my small business for free?

                        Some website builders offer free plans, but they often come with limitations such as ads, lack of a custom domain, and fewer features. If you want a professional-looking website without ads, expect to pay at least £10 to £30 per month for a basic plan.

                        Do I need to pay for website updates and maintenance?

                        Yes, websites require ongoing maintenance to keep them secure and functioning well. Updates to plugins, security patches, and general upkeep can cost between £100 and £500 annually, depending on the website’s complexity.

                        Is it better to hire a freelancer or an agency for my website?

                        It depends on your needs and budget. Freelancers are often more affordable and can deliver quality work for small projects. Agencies, on the other hand, provide more comprehensive services and ongoing support, which may be ideal for businesses looking for a polished and scalable website.

                        What other costs should I consider for my website?

                        In addition to the initial build, you’ll need to budget for domain name registration, hosting, SSL certificates, and content creation. These costs can range from £50 to £500 annually, depending on your needs.

                        Final Thoughts 

                        The cost of a small business website can vary widely, depending on your needs. To get an accurate estimate of what your website will cost, be sure to shop around and get quotes from a few different firms. And remember, you can always save money by starting with a basic design and adding more complex features later.