How Much Does a Website Cost in 2026? A Honest Guide for Small Businesses

If you've ever Googled 'how much does a website cost?' you've probably found answers ranging from £99 to £100,000 — which is about as useful as being told a car costs 'somewhere between a bicycle and a private jet'. In this guide, I'm going to give you straight, honest pricing so you know exactly what to expect when investing in a website for your small business in 2026.

The Short Answer

For most small businesses in the UK, a professional website will cost between £500 and £5,000 to build, plus ongoing monthly costs of £30–£150 for hosting, maintenance, and support. The wide range exists because no two businesses are alike — a one-page landing site for a sole trader is very different from a 20-page eCommerce store for a product brand.

What Affects the Cost of a Website?

Several factors influence the price of a website build:

• Number of pages — a 5-page brochure site is quicker to build than a 20-page site with multiple service areas

• eCommerce functionality — adding a shop, product pages, and checkout increases complexity significantly

• Custom design vs templates — a fully custom design takes more time and skill than adapting a template

• SEO setup — proper on-page SEO, keyword research, and local optimisation add real value but also take time

• Copywriting — great copy doesn't write itself; some designers include it, others don't

• Who's building it — a large agency in London will charge significantly more than a freelance designer based locally in Sussex

Website Packages and What They Typically Cost in 2026

Landing Page — from £49/month or £300–£500 upfront

A single-page website designed to capture enquiries or promote one service. Ideal for new businesses, product launches, or tradespeople who just need a professional presence online. These can be surprisingly effective when designed well — one focused page with a clear call to action often outperforms a cluttered five-page site.

5-Page Brochure Website — £750–£1,500

The most common package for small businesses. Typically includes Home, About, Services, Gallery or Portfolio, and Contact. This gives you enough room to explain what you do, who you are, and why someone should contact you — without overwhelming visitors. A well-built 5-page site from a local designer like Wild Web Design costs around £850.

Website Redesign / Refresh — £595–£1,200

Already have a website but it looks dated or isn't working? A redesign can breathe new life into your online presence. This is often better value than starting from scratch, as your existing content and domain authority carry over.

eCommerce Store — £1,500–£5,000+

If you want to sell products online, expect to invest more. A budget eCommerce setup on WordPress with WooCommerce can be done for around £1,995, while more custom builds with advanced filtering, integrations, and branding will push higher. Don't cut corners here — a slow, confusing checkout process will cost you far more in lost sales than the build saved you.

Hidden Costs to Watch Out For

Not all website quotes are created equal. Here's what some cheaper quotes leave out:

• Domain name renewal (typically £10–£20/year)

• Hosting (£5–£30/month depending on platform and spec)

• SSL certificate (some hosts charge extra for HTTPS)

• Plugin or app licences (especially for forms, bookings, or eCommerce)

• Ongoing maintenance — WordPress sites need regular updates or they become vulnerable to security issues

Is a Cheap Website Worth It?

The cheapest option is rarely the best value. A £99 website builder subscription might get you online, but if it loads slowly, looks generic, and doesn't show up in Google searches, it won't win you any new customers. Your website is often the first impression a potential client gets of your business — it needs to reflect the quality of what you actually offer.

At Wild Web Design, I work with small businesses across Hastings, East Sussex, Kent, and beyond to build websites that look premium, load fast, and generate real enquiries. If you'd like a no-jargon chat about what your business needs, get in touch — I'm always happy to talk through your options honestly.