How much does a website cost in the UK?
Complete guide covering website costs by type, ongoing expenses, and how to budget for your project.
Read article
What this tool does
This free website cost calculator helps UK businesses get a realistic budget range for a new website or redesign. It includes two tools in one: a website cost estimator that calculates build and ongoing costs based on your requirements, and a website ROI calculator that shows the financial return you can expect from your investment.
Estimates are based on UK market rates researched in February 2026. Actual costs depend on your specific requirements. Get in touch for a detailed quote.
Website cost estimator
Estimate your website cost
Answer four quick questions about your project to get a realistic budget range based on current UK market rates. Covers brochure websites, e-commerce stores, and custom web applications.
- Build cost range (minimum to maximum)
- Ongoing annual costs (hosting, maintenance, domain)
- First-year total cost of ownership
Step 1 of 4: What type of website do you need?
Brochure (1-5 pages)
Simple business website with key information
Brochure (6-15 pages)
Multi-page site with detailed service pages
E-commerce store
Online shop with product listings and checkout
Custom web application
Portal, dashboard, booking system, SaaS
Membership / portal
Gated content, user accounts, subscriptions
Step 2 of 4: How complex is your project?
Simple
Straightforward requirements
Standard pages, minimal customisation, few or no integrations, single user type
Moderate
Typical business website
Some custom features, 1-3 integrations, contact forms, basic CMS
Complex
Advanced requirements
Complex business logic, 4+ integrations, user roles, real-time features, advanced security
Step 3 of 4: Which features do you need?
Select all that apply. Each adds to your estimate.
Step 4 of 4: What level of design do you need?
Template
Template-based design
Pre-built layout with your branding, colours, and content. Quick to launch.
Semi-custom
Semi-custom design
Customised layout based on your brand identity. Balances uniqueness with efficiency.
Bespoke
Fully bespoke design
Unique design created from scratch. Multiple concepts and revision rounds.
Your estimated website cost
£0 – £0
Expected: £0
Based on UK agency and freelancer rates in 2026.
Want a proper quote for your website?
Red Eagle Tech designs and builds websites for UK businesses. We can give you a detailed, no-obligation quote based on your specific requirements.
This estimate is for guidance only. Actual costs depend on detailed requirements analysis.
Website ROI calculator
Already know (or estimated) your website cost? Use this calculator to work out the return on investment, whether you are building a brand new website or upgrading an existing one. Not sure about your conversion rate? We have included UK industry benchmarks below.
What type of project is this?
Enter your details
How many people visit your website each month?
Percentage of visitors who become customers.
See UK benchmarks below.
Average revenue per customer (one-off or annual).
Total cost of your website project. Use the estimator above if unsure.
How much you expect conversions to improve. A professional redesign typically improves conversions by 20-50%.
UK website conversion rate benchmarks by industry
Not sure what conversion rate to use in the ROI calculator? Here are typical UK benchmarks by sector. These represent the percentage of website visitors who take a desired action (purchase, enquiry, booking).
| Industry | Typical conversion rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Professional services (B2B) | 7.0 - 12.3% | Enquiry-based, shorter sales cycle |
| Healthcare (private) | 3.7 - 7.6% | Varies by specialty |
| Beauty and cosmetics | 2.5 - 3.5% | Repeat purchases, subscriptions |
| Food and beverage | 2.0 - 3.0% | Brand loyalty, subscriptions |
| Overall average (all sectors) | 2.9% | Combined B2B and B2C |
| Electronics | 1.5 - 2.5% | Higher order values, research-heavy |
| Fashion and apparel | 1.2 - 2.0% | Fit uncertainty, returns |
| Construction and trades | 1.2 - 3.1% | Depends on service specificity |
| B2B technology | ~1.0% | Long sales cycles |
| Home and furniture | 0.8 - 1.5% | High order values, visualisation challenges |
Sources: Fyresite ecommerce benchmarks, SQ Magazine CRO statistics, Unbiased B2B conversion data, Medico Digital healthcare benchmarks (2025-2026).
Why website quality matters for your bottom line
A professional website is not just about looking good. Research consistently shows that website quality directly affects your revenue. Here is what the data says about UK businesses:
Slow websites cost real money
Slow website performance costs UK businesses an average of 15% of annual revenue. For a small business earning around £93,000, that is roughly £14,000 lost every year. A one-second delay in page load reduces conversions by up to 7%.
Mobile experience is critical
Over 70% of e-commerce traffic comes from mobile devices, yet mobile conversion rates lag behind desktop. 57% of users will not recommend a business with a poor mobile website. 73% of web designers say non-responsive design is the top reason visitors leave.
Professional design boosts conversions
Websites designed with conversion optimisation in mind show up to 30% higher conversion rates than template-based designs. 38% of visitors stop engaging if the content or layout looks unattractive. First impressions form in under a second.
No website means invisible
Over 81% of shoppers research online before making a purchase. Without a professional website, your business is invisible during the research phase. 61% of visitors abandon a site if they cannot find what they need within 5 seconds.
When to use this website cost calculator
- Budget planning - Get a realistic range before approaching web design agencies
- Business cases - Build a case for website investment with the ROI calculator
- Comparing quotes - Benchmark quotes you receive against typical UK market rates
- Scope decisions - Understand how different features and design levels affect cost
- Redesign planning - Estimate the cost of upgrading your existing website
How we calculate your estimate
This website cost calculator uses a methodology based on UK market research conducted in February 2026. It combines base pricing by website type with multipliers for complexity and design level, then adds feature costs.
Base cost by website type
Starting ranges based on typical UK rates: brochure sites from around £800, e-commerce from £3,000, and custom web apps from £8,000.
Complexity multiplier
Simple projects use 70% of the base. Complex projects with advanced requirements typically need 150% of the base cost.
Design level
Template-based designs cost 70% of the base. Fully bespoke design, with unique layouts and multiple revision rounds, costs around 150%.
Feature additions
Each feature (CMS, booking system, payments, etc.) adds its typical UK development cost. The minimum estimate assumes some efficiency from bundling.
Data source: Estimates are based on 2026 UK web design and development market rates. The range format acknowledges that costs vary between providers and regions. Actual costs depend on detailed requirements analysis.
What affects how much a website costs in the UK
Website costs vary widely because every project has different requirements. Here are the main factors that push costs up or down, so you can make informed decisions about where to invest.
Design approach
A template-based website might cost £800-£2,000, while a fully bespoke design with custom illustrations and animations could cost £5,000-£15,000. The right choice depends on how important brand differentiation is for your business.
Functionality and integrations
Standard features like contact forms add modest cost. Complex integrations with CRM systems, payment gateways, or third-party APIs can add £500-£5,000 each depending on complexity.
Who builds it
UK freelancers typically charge £35-£75/hour, while agencies charge more due to project management and quality assurance overhead. London agencies command a 50-100% premium over regional alternatives.
Content creation
Professional copywriting for a 5-page website costs around £1,500-£3,500. Photography, video, and illustration are additional. Many businesses provide their own content to reduce costs.
For a detailed breakdown of every cost factor, read our complete guide:
Website platform costs compared: 3-year total cost of ownership
Your choice of platform affects not just the build cost, but what you pay over the life of the website. Here is how the main options compare over three years for a non-ecommerce small business website:
| Platform | 3-year total cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Squarespace | £750 - £1,060 | Sole traders wanting the cheapest option with limited customisation |
| Wix | ~£1,044 | Small businesses wanting an all-inclusive subscription |
| WordPress (managed) | £4,680 - £8,280 | Businesses needing flexibility and control over their site |
| Custom (freelancer built) | £11,000+ | Businesses needing bespoke functionality or brand differentiation |
| Custom (agency built) | £18,800+ | Businesses needing ongoing strategic support and complex features |
For e-commerce websites selling around £5,000 per month, costs are higher due to transaction fees and inventory management. Shopify Basic runs around £8,600 over three years, while a custom WooCommerce build could range from £5,800 to £12,000 depending on complexity and ongoing support.
Payment processing fees to factor in
If you sell online, payment processing adds 2.4-6% per transaction depending on your provider. Stripe and PayPal charge 2.9% + 30p with an additional 1.5% for international cards. Buy now, pay later services like Klarna charge 4-6% per transaction. These fees add up and should be factored into your budget from day one.
Industry-specific website costs in the UK
Some industries have specific requirements that add to the standard website cost. If your business falls into one of these sectors, factor in these additional costs when planning your budget:
| Industry | Additional requirements | Extra cost (3 years) |
|---|---|---|
| Trades and construction | CRM, job management, quoting and invoicing | £1,200 - £9,600 |
| Hospitality | Booking system, POS integration, menu management | £5,400 - £25,200 |
| Healthcare | HSCN compliance, DSPT toolkit, NHS Digital standards | £8,500 - £31,000 |
| Property and estate agents | Property database, virtual tours, CRM integration | £15,000 - £50,000+ |
| Retail e-commerce | Inventory management, shipping, returns, product photography | £24,000 - £45,000 |
| Financial services | FCA approval processes, AML compliance, ongoing monitoring | £50,000 - £150,000 |
These costs are on top of the standard website build and running costs estimated by our calculator. They reflect the additional compliance, integration, and specialist tooling required by each sector.
How much should your business spend on a website?
Website budgets scale with business size. Here is a realistic guide based on UK market data:
Sole trader
£430 - £1,800
Over 3 years. DIY website builder or basic WordPress site. Best for businesses that need a simple online presence.
Small business (5-50 staff)
£8,000 - £30,000
Over 3 years. Custom freelancer or agency build with ongoing support. Suits businesses where the website drives leads or sales.
Mid-market (50-500 staff)
£50,000 - £200,000
Over 3 years. Agency build with retainer, often including CRM integration, complex functionality, and ongoing optimisation.
How to budget and pay for your website project
Once you have an estimate, the next question is how to structure payment. Here are the main options UK businesses use, along with what to watch out for:
Milestone payments (recommended)
The safest option for both sides. A typical split: 40% at kickoff, 20% at design approval, 20% when development is complete, 20% at go-live. You only pay when tangible progress is verified.
Monthly retainer
Spreads cost over time (£500-£2,500/month). Good for startups with limited cash. The website is treated as a service rather than a capital purchase, which offers tax flexibility.
Upfront payment
One lump sum before or during the project. Creates a capital asset on your balance sheet. Only advisable with agencies you trust. Typical deposits range from 25-50% of the total.
Questions to ask before signing a contract
- Can I see an itemised cost breakdown (design, development, content, SEO)?
- What is the exact payment schedule and which deliverables trigger each payment?
- Who owns the domain name and hosting account?
- Can I update the site myself, or do all changes go through you?
- Is SSL, accessibility compliance, and performance optimisation included?
- What support is included after launch, and what costs extra?
Redesign or rebuild? How to decide
If you already have a website, you might be wondering whether to refresh what you have or start from scratch. Most websites reach functional obsolescence after 3-5 years, but the right choice depends on your specific situation:
Redesign makes sense when...
- Your site works well technically but looks dated
- Content needs refreshing but structure is sound
- Your CMS still meets your needs
- Changes are mostly cosmetic and content-focused
- Typical cost: £5,000-£20,000
Rebuild makes sense when...
- Your site is slow and fails Core Web Vitals checks
- It does not work well on mobile devices
- Adding new features is slow and expensive
- You need accessibility compliance (WCAG 2.2)
- Fixing existing issues would cost more than 30% of a rebuild
- Typical cost: £8,000-£30,000
A well-planned rebuild often works out cheaper in the long run. Rebuilds reduce ongoing maintenance costs by 20-30% and typically last 4-5 years before needing major updates, compared to 2-3 years for a redesign on ageing architecture.
Frequently asked questions
This calculator provides a realistic budget range based on current UK market rates researched
in February 2026. It is designed for planning purposes, not as a formal quote. Actual costs
depend on your specific requirements, the agency or freelancer you choose, and your location.
Use the estimate as a starting point for conversations with web design providers.
Budget for hosting (£10-£100/month depending on traffic), domain renewal
(£10-£15/year for .co.uk), maintenance and security updates
(£50-£400/month), and content updates if you need regular changes. Our
calculator includes these ongoing costs in its results. Industry guidance is to budget
10-20% of your build cost annually for maintenance.
Freelancers are typically 30-50% cheaper than agencies for comparable work and are a good
choice for smaller projects with clear requirements. Agencies offer project management,
quality assurance, and access to multiple specialists, making them better suited for
complex projects or businesses that need ongoing strategic support. Both can deliver
excellent results.
A simple brochure website can be built in 2-4 weeks. A mid-range business website
typically takes 4-8 weeks. E-commerce stores usually need 6-12 weeks depending on the
number of products and custom features. Custom web applications can take 3-6 months or
more. The biggest factor affecting timeline is usually content readiness rather than
technical development.
Cost differences usually reflect different scopes hidden behind similar language.
An agency quoting £3,000 might be customising a premium theme, while a £12,000
quote involves coding from scratch with no theme dependencies. Other factors include
how much strategy and research is included, the level of post-launch support, and
whether the quote covers SEO setup, accessibility compliance, and performance
optimisation. Always ask for an itemised breakdown to compare like for like.
Small changes like updating text, swapping images, or adding a new page are usually
straightforward if your site was built on a proper CMS. Many agencies offer maintenance
retainers (£600-£3,000/year) that cover minor updates and security patches.
Adding new functionality like a booking system or payment processing is a separate
project, typically costing £1,000-£20,000 depending on complexity.
Milestone-based payments are the safest option for most businesses. A typical split is
40% at kickoff, 20% at design approval, 20% at development completion, and 20% at
go-live. Monthly retainers (£500-£2,500/month) suit businesses wanting to
spread costs. Full upfront payment is only advisable with agencies you have an
established relationship with. Be cautious of anyone demanding full payment before
starting work.
Building accessibility into a new website (WCAG 2.2 Level AA) typically adds 10-15% to
the development cost. Since the European Accessibility Act came into force in 2025, this
is a legal requirement rather than an optional extra. Retrofitting an existing site that
was not built with accessibility in mind can cost £2,000-£15,000. Automated
accessibility overlay tools do not provide genuine compliance and should be avoided.
You can, but be aware of switching costs. Moving from Wix or Squarespace to a custom-built
site usually means starting from scratch, because content, design, and functionality do not
transfer between platforms. If you know you will need custom features or integrations
within 1-2 years, it is often cheaper to invest in the right platform from the start
rather than paying to build twice.
Yes. London-based agencies typically charge a 50-100% premium over regional alternatives
due to higher operating costs. A project quoted at £10,000 by a regional agency might
cost £15,000-£20,000 from a comparable London agency. With remote working now
standard, many UK businesses get excellent results from agencies outside London at
significantly lower cost. Our calculator uses national average rates as a baseline.
Related tools
Bespoke software cost estimator
Get a ballpark cost for your bespoke software project. Answer a few questions about your requirements and get an instant estimate.
2 minutes
Estimate now
Technical debt calculator
Calculate how much legacy code is costing your business annually. Build a business case for modernisation with hard numbers.
2 minutes
Calculate now
