How Much Should a Website Cost for a Small Business in 2025?

If you’re a small business owner researching website costs, you’ve probably seen quotes ranging from £99 to £5,000 and wondered what on earth you’re supposed to pay. The honest answer? It depends on what you actually need, not what someone’s trying to sell you.

Let’s break down realistic website pricing for UK small businesses in 2025, spot the red flags, and help you work out what makes sense for your budget without getting ripped off.

The Real Cost Breakdown for Small Business Websites

Website pricing varies wildly because “a website” can mean anything from a DIY template you cobble together on Wix to a fully custom, coded-from-scratch platform. Here’s what you should expect to pay for different types of sites.

£0–£200: DIY Website Builders

Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, or GoDaddy Website Builder let you build a site yourself using drag-and-drop templates. The software is usually free or cheap to start, but monthly fees add up quickly.

What you get:

  • Pre-made templates you customise yourself
  • Basic hosting and domain included
  • Simple contact forms and image galleries
  • Limited customisation and slower performance

What you don’t get:

  • Professional design tailored to your business
  • Fast loading speeds (templates are heavy)
  • Help when something breaks or doesn’t work
  • Freedom to move your site elsewhere easily

Who it works for: Absolute beginners testing an idea or hobby projects. Not ideal for businesses serious about converting visitors into customers.

Why DIY websites cost more than you think

£400–£800: Custom One-Page Websites

This is the sweet spot for most local trades, service providers, and small businesses who need a professional online presence without complexity or ongoing costs.

What you get:

  • Fully custom design built from scratch (no templates)
  • Mobile-first, fast-loading site optimised for conversions
  • Clear service information, contact forms, and calls to action
  • Professional setup with hosting and domain configured
  • One focused page that does its job brilliantly

What you don’t get:

  • Multiple service pages or complex site structures
  • Ongoing content creation or blog setup
  • Advanced e-commerce or booking systems

Who it works for: Electricians, plumbers, personal trainers, consultants, mobile services, tradespeople, and anyone offering 1–3 core services who wants leads without fuss.

At Mapletree Studio, our Launch Package costs £479 for a fully custom one-page site. No templates, no bloat, delivered in days.

What a £497 website should actually include

£800–£2,000: Multi-Page Small Business Websites

If you offer several distinct services, need location-specific pages, or want room for case studies and portfolios, a multi-page site makes sense.

What you get:

  • 3–7 custom pages (homepage, services, about, contact, portfolio, etc.)
  • Dedicated landing pages for different services or locations
  • Room for detailed content, FAQs, and trust-building elements
  • Professional structure that scales as your business grows
  • Better targeting for multiple keywords

What you don’t get:

  • E-commerce functionality (that’s a step up)
  • Advanced integrations with CRMs or booking systems
  • Ongoing content creation or SEO management

Who it works for: Building companies, photographers, multi-service businesses, consultancies, or anyone targeting multiple audiences or locations.

Anything charging over £2,000 for a basic multi-page brochure site is overpriced unless there’s serious custom development involved.

One-page website vs multi-page: what’s best for local businesses?

£2,000–£5,000: E-Commerce or Complex Functionality

Once you need online payments, product catalogues, booking systems, membership areas, or custom integrations, you’re in specialist territory.

What you get:

  • E-commerce setup with secure payments (Stripe, PayPal, etc.)
  • Product management, inventory tracking, order processing
  • Booking systems, calendars, or membership portals
  • Custom features tailored to your business needs
  • Proper security, backups, and compliance (GDPR, PCI-DSS)

What you don’t get:

  • Unlimited revisions or feature additions after launch
  • Ongoing management without a maintenance plan

Who it works for: Online retailers, course creators, booking-based businesses (salons, clinics, studios), or anyone selling products or services directly online.

This level of work requires experienced developers. Cheap e-commerce builds often break, get hacked, or fail compliance checks. Don’t cut corners here.

£5,000+: Enterprise or Highly Custom Websites

Large businesses, membership platforms, SaaS tools, and complex multi-functional sites fall into this bracket. Unless you’re building something genuinely sophisticated, you probably don’t need to spend this much.

What you get:

  • Fully bespoke design and development
  • Advanced integrations with third-party tools
  • Custom dashboards, user management, or automation
  • Dedicated project management and long-term support

Who it works for: Established businesses with specific technical requirements, large product catalogues, or complex workflows.

What Actually Affects Website Cost?

Let’s get specific about what drives the price up or down.

1. Custom Design vs Templates

Templates are cheaper upfront but come with limitations: slower performance, generic look, and less control. Custom design costs more but gives you a site built specifically for your business, your customers, and your goals.

Template site: £200–£800 (depending on customisation level) Custom-coded site: £400–£2,000+ (depending on complexity)

Why we don’t use templates

2. Number of Pages

More pages = more design, development, and testing. A one-page site costs significantly less than a ten-page site because there’s less to build and maintain.

One page: £400–£800 3–5 pages: £800–£1,500 5–10 pages: £1,500–£2,500+

3. Content Creation

If you provide your own text, images, and branding, costs stay lower. If you need copywriting, photography, or logo design, that adds to the bill.

DIY content: Included in base price Professional copywriting: £200–£500 extra Photography: £300–£1,000+ depending on scope

4. Functionality and Integrations

Basic contact forms and image galleries are standard. Online payments, booking systems, CRM integrations, and custom tools require development work and push costs higher.

Contact form: Included Booking system: £500–£1,500 E-commerce: £1,000–£3,000+ Custom integrations: £500–£2,000+ per integration

5. Ongoing Maintenance and Support

Some developers charge monthly retainers for hosting, updates, and support. Others offer one-off builds with optional maintenance plans.

DIY maintenance: £0 (but you handle everything) Hosting only: £10–£30/month Full maintenance plan: £30–£100/month

At Mapletree Studio, our Website Maintenance Plan costs £47/month for regular updates, security monitoring, and peace of mind. No contract, cancel anytime.

Red Flags: When You’re Being Overcharged

Not all expensive quotes are rip-offs, but here’s when to push back or walk away.

£3,000+ for a Basic Brochure Site

If you’re a plumber, electrician, or local service provider and someone’s quoting £3,000+ for a simple site with no e-commerce or complex features, you’re being overcharged. That’s agency pricing for work that doesn’t need an agency.

Monthly Retainers for “SEO Services”

Be wary of developers bundling mandatory monthly “SEO” fees into their quotes. Proper site structure is part of good web design. Charging £100+/month to “keep you ranking” is often a way to lock you into recurring payments for minimal work.

Important: Mapletree Studio builds websites with clean, search-friendly structure, but we don’t offer dedicated SEO services. We’re web designers, not SEO specialists. Anyone promising “page 1 rankings” is overselling.

Cheap Upfront, Expensive Forever

Watch out for £99 website offers that lock you into £50+/month contracts forever. Do the maths: over three years, that’s £1,899. You could’ve paid for a custom site outright and owned it.

Vague Pricing or Hidden Costs

If a quote doesn’t clearly break down what’s included, what costs extra, and what happens after launch, ask for clarity. Good developers explain pricing upfront. Dodgy ones hide costs until you’re committed.

How to Work Out What You Actually Need

Instead of picking a price point and hoping for the best, start with your business goals and work backwards.

Ask Yourself These Questions

  1. What’s the main purpose of my website? Lead generation? Online sales? Showcasing work? Information only?

  2. How many services or products do I offer? One service = one-page site. Multiple distinct services = multi-page site.

  3. Do I need online payments or booking? If yes, budget for e-commerce or booking functionality.

  4. Am I willing to manage my own content and updates? If no, factor in maintenance costs.

  5. What’s my realistic budget? Be honest. Overspending on features you don’t use is wasteful. Under-investing in what you need is frustrating.

What You Should Expect for Your Money

Here’s a realistic breakdown of what different budgets get you in 2025.

£400–£800 Budget

  • Fully custom one-page website
  • Mobile-optimised, fast-loading design
  • Contact form and clear calls to action
  • Hosting and domain setup included
  • Professional, clean, converts well

Best for: Local trades, service providers, consultants, personal trainers, mobile businesses.

£800–£1,500 Budget

  • Custom multi-page website (3–5 pages)
  • Dedicated service or location pages
  • Room for portfolio, testimonials, case studies
  • Professional copywriting assistance
  • Strong foundation for growth

Best for: Building companies, photographers, multi-service businesses, agencies.

£1,500–£3,000 Budget

  • Larger multi-page site or basic e-commerce
  • Custom design with advanced layouts
  • Blog setup, portfolio galleries, resource sections
  • Booking systems or product catalogues
  • Ongoing support and maintenance options

Best for: Online retailers, course creators, membership-based businesses.

Hidden Costs to Watch Out For

Even with a clear quote, some costs catch people off guard. Here’s what to ask about upfront.

Domain Name Registration

Most quotes include domain setup but not the annual renewal fee (usually £10–£15/year). Check if this is covered or if you need to pay it separately.

Hosting Fees

Some developers include hosting in their build price. Others charge monthly. Clarify what’s included and for how long.

Typical hosting costs:

  • Shared hosting: £5–£15/month
  • Managed hosting: £20–£50/month
  • Premium/dedicated hosting: £50–£200+/month

SSL Certificate

Essential for security and Google rankings. Should be included in any modern website build. If it’s not, question why.

Email Hosting

Website hosting doesn’t always include professional email ([email protected]). Email hosting typically costs £3–£10/month per inbox.

Content Updates

If your developer charges £50–£100/hour for minor text changes, you’ll resent every update. Ask about content management options or choose a maintenance plan that includes updates.

Should You Pay Monthly or Upfront?

Both models exist. Here’s when each makes sense.

Pay Upfront (One-Off Build)

You pay a fixed price, the site gets built, and you own it. No ongoing fees unless you choose maintenance support.

Pros:

  • Clear total cost
  • No long-term commitment
  • You own everything from day one

Cons:

  • Higher initial outlay
  • You handle updates and fixes yourself (or pay as needed)

Best for: Businesses with tight budgets who want control and no recurring costs.

Monthly Payment Plans

Spread the cost over 6–24 months with monthly payments. Some developers include hosting and support in the monthly fee.

Pros:

  • Lower upfront cost
  • Ongoing support often included
  • Easier budgeting

Cons:

  • Costs more overall
  • You don’t own the site until it’s paid off
  • Risk of being locked into long contracts

Best for: Businesses preferring predictable monthly costs and ongoing support.

At Mapletree Studio, we offer both options. Pay upfront for our Launch Package or spread the cost with a payment plan. Your choice.

What About DIY Website Builders?

Wix, Squarespace, and similar platforms advertise heavily, so let’s address them honestly.

When DIY Makes Sense

  • You’re testing a business idea and need something quick and cheap
  • You’re comfortable learning new software and troubleshooting yourself
  • Your website is secondary to your business (e.g., you rely on social media or word of mouth)

When DIY Doesn’t Make Sense

  • You want a fast, professional site that converts visitors
  • You don’t have time to learn design software and fix technical issues
  • You’re competing locally and need to outrank competitors
  • You value your time more than the £300–£500 you’d save

DIY platforms promise ease but deliver frustration. Slow load times, clunky mobile layouts, and generic templates mean you’re fighting an uphill battle against competitors with properly built sites.

Stop tinkering: why DIY websites cost more than you think

How to Choose the Right Web Designer for Your Budget

Price matters, but it’s not the only factor. Here’s what to look for.

1. Check Their Portfolio

Do their previous sites load fast? Look professional? Feel modern? If their own work is slow, cluttered, or outdated, yours will be too.

2. Read Reviews and Testimonials

Check Google reviews, Trustpilot, or testimonials on their site. Look for mentions of communication, timelines, and post-launch support.

3. Ask About Their Process

Good designers explain their process clearly: discovery, design, revisions, launch, support. Vague answers suggest inexperience.

4. Understand What’s Included

Get everything in writing: number of revisions, page count, functionality, hosting, timeline, and what happens after launch.

5. Avoid Pushy Sales Tactics

If someone’s pressuring you into features you don’t need or dismissing your concerns, walk away. Good designers guide, they don’t upsell.

Real Examples: What Small Businesses Actually Pay

Let’s look at realistic scenarios for UK small businesses.

Example 1: Mobile Mechanic (Derby)

  • Need: Simple one-page site with services, contact info, and service area map.
  • Budget: £500
  • What they got: Custom one-page site, mobile-optimised, contact form, Google Maps integration, hosting included for 12 months.
  • Result: Generates 15–20 enquiries/month, paid for itself in three weeks.

Example 2: Landscape Gardener (Burton)

  • Need: Multi-page site with separate pages for patios, fencing, garden design, and maintenance.
  • Budget: £1,200
  • What they got: 5-page custom site, image galleries, before/after photos, contact forms on each service page.
  • Result: Ranks well for “landscape gardener Burton” and “patio installation Burton”, steady flow of quote requests.

Common Mistakes Small Businesses Make With Website Budgets

Avoid these pitfalls and you’ll get better value for your money.

Mistake 1: Choosing the Cheapest Option Without Checking Quality

A £99 template site might save money upfront, but if it doesn’t convert visitors or rank in search, it’s worthless. Sometimes the cheapest option costs you more in lost business.

Mistake 2: Overpaying for Features You Don’t Need

Don’t let an agency talk you into a ten-page site with blog sections, member areas, and social media feeds when all you need is a clean one-page site with a contact form.

Mistake 3: Not Budgeting for Ongoing Costs

Even if you pay upfront for your site, budget for domain renewal, hosting, and occasional updates. Expecting zero ongoing costs is unrealistic.

Mistake 4: Ignoring Mobile Performance

If your site is slow or awkward on mobile, you’re losing the majority of your visitors. Insist on mobile-first design and test it yourself before approving the final site.

Mistake 5: Skipping Professional Help to Save £300

Your time is worth money. If you spend 40 hours learning Wix and building a mediocre site yourself, that’s time you could’ve spent earning. A professional site pays for itself faster.

What Happens After Your Site Launches?

Your website isn’t a one-and-done project. Here’s what to expect post-launch.

Monitoring and Analytics

Track visitor numbers, where they come from, and what they do on your site. Free tools like Google Analytics give you this data. Use it to improve your site over time.

Regular Updates

Update your content when services change, prices shift, or you add new offerings. A stale site feels abandoned.

Security and Backups

Keep your site secure with regular updates and backups. If you’re on a maintenance plan, this is handled for you. If not, schedule it yourself or risk losing everything if something breaks.

Performance Optimisation

Websites slow down over time as images, scripts, and content accumulate. Periodically check load times and clean up what’s not needed.

How Much Should YOU Pay for a Website?

Here’s the bottom line.

If you’re a local tradesperson or service provider offering 1–3 core services: Budget: £400–£800 for a custom one-page site.

If you’re a multi-service business with distinct offerings or locations: Budget: £800–£1,500 for a 3–5 page site.

If you need e-commerce, bookings, or custom functionality: Budget: £1,500–£3,000+ depending on complexity.

Anything quoting significantly more needs justification. Anything significantly less is cutting corners somewhere.

Ready to Get a Website That’s Worth What You Pay?

You don’t need the most expensive site. You need one that’s fast, professional, and built to convert visitors into customers without unnecessary complexity or cost.

At Mapletree Studio, we build purposeful websites for small businesses across Derby, Burton, and the Midlands. No templates, no upselling, no nonsense. Just clean, effective websites that work.

Our Launch Package starts at £479 for a fully custom one-page site, delivered in days, with no hidden costs.

Not sure what you need? Let’s talk it through honestly.

👉 Get in touch with Mapletree Studio

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