If you're a small business owner thinking about getting a website, one of the first questions you'll probably ask is: how much will it cost?
The answer depends on what you need. A straightforward website displaying your services and contact details has different requirements from an online shop, a booking system or a larger website with custom functionality.
The good news is that you don't necessarily need a large upfront budget to give your business a professional online presence.
Here's what to consider when comparing website design options.
1. What affects the cost of a website?
Several factors influence the price of a business website.
The number of pages
A simple website might include a homepage, services page, About page and contact page. A business with multiple services, locations or case studies may need more pages.
More pages usually mean more planning, content and design work.
The features you need
A basic enquiry form is relatively straightforward. More specialised features can require additional setup, subscriptions or integrations.
Examples include:
Online appointment booking.
Restaurant table reservations.
E-commerce and online payments.
Customer portals.
Advanced integrations with other software.
Choose features that genuinely support your business rather than paying for functionality you won't use.
The design and content
A website needs to represent your business accurately. Creating a distinctive layout, preparing content, selecting images and organising your services all take time.
If you already have professional photographs, clear service descriptions and your branding ready, the project may be more straightforward.
Ongoing support
A website isn't always a one-off task. Depending on your setup, you may need hosting, software updates, backups, maintenance, security checks or changes to your content.
Before choosing a package, find out which of these are included and which are charged separately.
2. Should you pay upfront or choose a monthly website package?
There are two common approaches for small businesses.
Option one: Pay for a website upfront
A bespoke website can be a good choice if you want a specific design, have detailed requirements or prefer to pay for the initial build as a separate project.
The price will depend on the scope of work, number of pages, functionality and level of customisation.
Ask for a clear breakdown of what is included, who owns the website and domain, and what ongoing costs you'll be responsible for.
Option two: Choose a managed monthly package
A monthly website package can make budgeting more predictable and spread the cost over time.
Depending on the provider, a package may include the initial website build, hosting, maintenance or ongoing support. These inclusions vary, so always check the terms rather than assuming every monthly plan covers everything.
At ELLENOWEN, my industry-focused website subscriptions include:
The Solo Trade — £49 per month: for trades such as plumbers, electricians and roofers.
The Lifestyle Salon — £59 per month: for salons and beauty businesses.
The Local Eatery — £69 per month: for restaurants, cafés and gastro-pubs.
These are my advertised starting package prices. Check the current package details to confirm the features, terms and any additional charges relevant to your requirements.
If you'd rather have a one-off website build, bespoke website projects start from £750, with the final price depending on the scope and requirements.
3. What should you check before choosing a website designer?
The cheapest quote isn't automatically the best value, and the most expensive option isn't necessarily right for your business.
Before committing, ask:
How many pages are included?
Is the website designed for mobile devices?
Is hosting included?
Who manages updates and maintenance?
Are contact forms and relevant integrations included?
Who owns the domain and website content?
Are there setup fees, minimum terms or cancellation charges?
What happens if you need extra pages or changes?
Getting these answers in writing makes it easier to compare different providers fairly.
4. Is an affordable website worth it?
An affordable website can be a sensible investment if it meets your business needs and is built around your customers.
For example, a tradesperson may primarily need service information, a quote form and a click-to-call button. A beauty salon may benefit more from treatment information and an appointment booking link.
The right website is the one that helps your customers find the information they need and makes it easy to get in touch.
You should also think about how the website fits into your wider marketing. A website can support your Google visibility, while social media helps you showcase work and maintain contact with your audience.
Neither guarantees enquiries, so it's worth monitoring which channels bring relevant visitors and customers.
5. How do you choose the right option for your business?
Start by writing down what your website needs to achieve.
Do you want more quote requests? Do customers need to see your treatments and prices? Do you need to take bookings or sell products online?
Once you know the essentials, you can compare packages based on features, support and total cost rather than price alone.
A small, well-planned website can be a useful starting point. You can add more functionality as your business grows.
Looking for an affordable business website?
ELLENOWEN provides website design and management packages for tradespeople, salons and local businesses, alongside bespoke website builds.
Click here to explore the available packages to see which option suits your business, or get in touch to discuss your requirements.