This is probably the question I get asked more than any other. Pricing in the web design industry is a bit all over the place, you can find someone on Fiverr for £50 and a London agency for £20,000. With that kind of range it's almost impossible to know what's reasonable.
So here's the honest version.
What affects the cost
- Platform - Squarespace and Webflow are subscription-based. WordPress needs separate hosting plus plugins. Shopify has higher monthly costs and transaction fees. Platform choice also affects build time which affects the fee.
- Complexity - a single page costs less than ten pages, but complexity matters as much as quantity. Custom animations, ecommerce, booking integrations, and custom code all add time and therefore cost.
- Copywriting - most designers don't include it as standard. If your copy is ready before the project starts, the build is faster and cheaper. If you need help writing it, expect to pay more or work with a copywriter separately.
- Timeline - if you need something in two weeks, expect a rush fee. Work within a designer's normal schedule and you'll pay a standard rate.
- Who you hire - a freelancer charges less than an agency because there's no account manager, project manager, or office overhead. For most small businesses, the agency infrastructure isn't necessary.
What you get at different price points
DIY - roughly £100 to £300 per year Squarespace, Wix, or similar. Reasonable when you're starting out or testing an idea. The honest caveat is time to build and maintain a site yourself takes longer than most people expect.
Under £500 Usually a lightly customised template with minimal strategy. Rarely includes any thought about how visitors will move through the site or whether the copy is doing its job. Common enough to be worth knowing about.
£800 to £2,500 freelance web designer - This is where most independent designers sit, including me. What you're paying for isn't just someone moving elements around a screen, it's strategic thinking about how people behave on your site, what builds trust, and what turns a visitor into an enquiry.
£2,500 to £5,000 - More complex builds, like eCommerce, large multi-page sites, bespoke functionality, or projects that include brand design alongside the website.
£5,000 and upwards - Agency territory. Justified for businesses with complex requirements. For most small businesses, you're paying for infrastructure you don't need.
What I charge
The Foundation - from £800
A focused single-page site designed to make a strong first impression and drive one clear action. Includes contact form and 30 days post-launch support.
The Full Picture - from £1,400
Your complete website with up to six pages, designed to feel cohesive and easy to navigate. Optional blog setup included. 30 days post-launch support.
The Shopfront - from £2,000
A conversion-focused ecommerce build. Up to six pages plus shop, up to ten products uploaded, payment gateway setup, and 30 days post-launch support.
Every quote is tailored to your project, these are starting points, not fixed prices.
Other things to consider
What to budget after launch
Domain renewal is roughly £10 to £20 a year. Platform subscription adds £100 to £300 a year. Beyond that, the main cost is time, yours or a designer's, when things need updating. If your site stays fairly static and you can manage it yourself, the ongoing cost is minimal.
When a DIY website stops being worth it
There's a point where a DIY site starts working against you. If you're embarrassed to share your URL, if people are visiting but not enquiring, if your site no longer reflects the quality of your work, those are signs it's doing more harm than good. A professionally built site isn't just about aesthetics. It's about someone thinking carefully about the path your visitors take and what makes them act.
A note on getting quotes for your website
Make sure you're comparing the same things. A cheaper quote might not include SEO setup, mobile optimisation, or post-launch support. Ask what's included before you decide. The cheapest quote is rarely the best value — but the most expensive one isn't automatically the best either.
FAQs
UK freelance web designers typically charge between £800 and £4,000. Agencies charge more, often from £3,000 upwards.
Both are valid at different stages. DIY makes sense when you're starting out. When your website is genuinely holding your business back, in credibility, enquiries, or how well it reflects your work, a designer is usually worth it. The question to ask is: what is a bad website actually costing me?
Between £1,000 and £2,500 depending on the designer's experience, the complexity of the design, and whether copywriting is included.
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