One of the most common questions I get from small businesses, start-ups, entrepreneurs, and new e-commerce owners is:
“How much does a website cost?”
The honest answer?
There isn’t one fixed price.
Some websites cost £500. Others cost £5,000+. The difference usually has very little to do with how the website looks and everything to do with what it needs to do for the business.
In this article, I’ll break down:
- Why website prices vary
- Typical website cost ranges
- Real examples of projects I’ve delivered
- What makes a website worth the investment
All from real experience, not theory.
Why Website Prices Vary So Much
A website is not just a design on a screen.
Behind every website is a combination of:
- Strategy
- Development
- Back-end setup
- Payment systems
- Booking functionality
- Product management
- SEO foundations
- Copy structure
- Security and performance
Most people only see the visual side.
The real work happens behind the scenes.
One of the most overlooked factors in website pricing is the time and effort required for back-end production which is the part that makes the website work.
Many business owners assume social media alone can replace a website, but in reality, your website plays a much bigger role in visibility, trust, and long-term growth.
Our Experience with Website Pricing
W’ve been building websites since 2021, working with:
- Small businesses
- Personal brands
- E-commerce stores
- Shopify and WordPress websites
With a background in Strategic Digital Marketing (Masters) and Computer Science for Business, we’ve learned that website pricing always comes down to one key question:
👉 What is the website worth to the business?
That’s where value-based pricing comes in.
Here are some realistic price ranges based on projects we regularly deliver:
Type of Website | Typical Cost |
Basic brochure or portfolio | £500 |
Full multi-page website | £900 |
Larger e-commerce website | £1,000+ |
Custom features (bookings, dashboards, memberships) | £800+ |
These are average ranges and not fixed prices.
Final costs depend on functionality, timeline, and complexity.
Example Project: Travel Company Website
Client: Group travel company
Goal: Sell travel packages and tickets online
Requirements included:
- Online booking system
- Payment processing
- Automated confirmation emails
- User login area to view past trips
- Full website delivered within 6 weeks
Final Cost: £900+
Result:
The business is now able to accept bookings immediately and automate confirmations, saving hours of manual admin and creating a much smoother customer experience.
Example Project: E-commerce Website + Product Photography
Client: Online retailer selling authentic Palestinian products
Goal: Launch online sales with professional visuals
Scope:
- Full e-commerce website
- Uploaded 50 products
- 8-week turnaround
Final Cost: Approximately £1,000
Result:
By handling both the website and photography in-house, the client avoided hiring multiple providers such as saving time, money, and complexity.
Why Some Websites Cost More Than Others
A £500 website and a £5,000 website might look similar at first glance but they usually serve very different purposes.
Higher-cost websites often include:
- Faster performance
- Advanced SEO setup
- Booking or membership systems
- Search and filtering
- CRM or email integrations
- Ongoing optimisation
- Growth-focused strategy
Simply put:
The more a website helps you make or save money, the more valuable it is.
Value-Based Pricing (In Simple Terms)
Many people see a website as a cost.
It’s an investment.
A website that generates £5,000 per month is not comparable to a static brochure site that brings in no leads or sales. That’s why pricing should reflect the value delivered, not just hours worked.
When people say:
“Websites are too expensive”
What they often mean is:
“I don’t yet understand the value.”
My role is to help make that value clear.
Why Cheap or DIY Websites Often Cost More Later
This is a pattern I see repeatedly:
- A business builds their own site
- It works… briefly
- Payments break
- Mobile layout fails
- The site becomes slow or insecure
- SEO is non-existent
Eventually, they need it rebuilt or fixed.
Ironically, they often end up spending more than if they’d done it properly from the start.
This is also why having a properly structured website matters so much when a site is built with strategy, performance, and SEO in mind from the start, it avoids many of these common issues.
What Clients Value Most (Beyond the Website)
Interestingly, when clients recommend us, they rarely talk about technical features first.
They usually mention:
- Clear communication throughout the process
- Honest, affordable pricing
- Being listened to
- Websites that are easy to use and functional
Technology matters but communication matters just as much.
Ongoing Website Costs: Maintenance & Support
A website doesn’t end once it goes live.
Like any business tool, it needs:
- Updates
- Security checks
- Backups
- Bug fixes
- Content edits
We offer maintenance starting from £35 per month, which typically includes:
- Core updates
- Basic support
- Minor changes
- Monitoring
E-commerce websites often require additional product and content management.
So… How Much Will Your Website Cost?
It comes down to three things:
- What your website needs to do
- How quickly you need it
- The value it will bring to your business
Once I know:
- What your business does
- The features you need
- Whether you need product management or photography
- Your ideal timeline
I can usually provide a clear estimate within 24 hours.
Final Thoughts
Websites are not just an expense—they’re a tool for growth.
Also, a website isn’t just about having an online presence it’s about creating a platform that supports growth, builds credibility, and works alongside your other marketing channels.
A well-built website can:
- Sell products
- Take bookings
- Automate admin
- Build trust
- Generate consistent income
Whether you need a simple £500 portfolio or a £1,000+ e-commerce store, the most important thing is this:
👉 Your website must serve your business.