“How much does a website cost for a small business?” It is one of the questions we hear most, and the honest answer is that it depends on what you are buying. Quotes can range from almost nothing to many thousands of pounds, which makes it hard to know what is fair. This guide explains what drives the price, what the main routes usually cost, and how our own pay monthly option works, so you can compare like with like. If you run a small business in Northamptonshire, this guide is written with you in mind.
What affects the cost of a small business website
Two websites can look similar on the surface and be priced very differently. The main things that move the price are:
- Number of pages. A five-page site for a local tradesperson is a different job from a thirty-page site for a growing service business.
- Bespoke design or a template. A site designed around your business takes more effort than dropping your logo into a ready-made layout.
- Features. Contact forms are simple. Booking systems, online shops and member areas add time and complexity.
- Content. Someone has to write the words and source the images, and that is either your time or someone else’s fee.
- Search engine optimisation. Building a site so that Google can understand it takes planning from the start.
- Ongoing running costs. Hosting, security, updates, backups and support do not stop once the site is live.
The last point is the one most people miss. The cost of a website is not just the build. It is the build plus the cost of keeping it healthy for as long as you use it.
The main ways to get a website, and what each usually costs
As a rough guide only, because prices vary widely and these are not quotes, small businesses tend to choose between four routes.
- DIY website builder. A low monthly subscription, but you do the design, writing, SEO and upkeep yourself, so the real cost is your time.
- Freelancer. Often a one-off fee running from hundreds to a few thousand pounds, with hosting and maintenance sometimes charged separately.
- Agency. Typically several thousand pounds and upwards for a custom build, sometimes with a monthly retainer on top.
- Pay monthly. No up-front cost. One monthly fee covers the build and the ongoing running of the site.
None of these is automatically best. The right choice depends on your budget, your time and how much you want to handle yourself. What matters is knowing exactly what each price includes.
The hidden costs to watch for
When comparing quotes, look beyond the headline number. Ask whether the price includes:
- Hosting, and whether it is included or an extra
- Domain name registration and renewals
- Business email accounts
- Security and backups
- Updates and changes, and whether each edit is charged
- Ongoing SEO work
- Your own time, which is rarely priced but very real
We have written more about this in our guide to hidden website costs, and it is worth reading before you sign anything.
How our pay monthly websites work
At No Worry Websites we designed the pay monthly model for small and start-up businesses that want a professional website without a large up-front bill. Our websites start from £34.99 a month, with nothing to pay up-front. The exact price depends on how many pages you need, and we are happy to advise on what makes sense for your business. We are based in Wellingborough and build websites for small businesses across Northamptonshire, including Northampton, Kettering, Corby and Daventry.
Your monthly fee includes:
- A website built around your business, with no templates
- Building blocks for search engines put in place from the start
- Changes and updates as your business evolves
- A site that works on all screen sizes
- Support and one point of contact
- Green hosting
- Free email accounts
There are a few things worth being upfront about. Basic security is included, but if you need more than that, additional charges apply. Changes are subject to a fair usage policy. And nobody can honestly guarantee search rankings, so we do not. Ongoing SEO is available as an additional monthly package for businesses that want to work on ranking higher. You can read the full details on our pay monthly websites page.
Pay monthly or pay up-front: which suits you?
Paying monthly tends to suit start-ups and small businesses that want to protect cash flow, avoid a big lump sum and have someone else take care of the technical side. Paying up-front can suit businesses that have the budget available and prefer a one-off cost.
Either way, ask about the practical details. Who owns the domain name and content? What is the notice period? What happens if you decide to leave? A good provider, including us, should be able to answer those in plain English.
Questions to ask before you choose
- What is included in the price, and what is extra?
- Is there a difference between the build cost and the ongoing cost?
- Are changes included, or charged each time?
- Will the site be built with search engines in mind?
- Who do I speak to when something goes wrong?
- Can I see websites you have built for other small businesses?
How to compare quotes fairly
The easiest way to compare providers is to write down what you would pay over the first year, not just on day one. Add the build cost, hosting, email, security, any charges for changes and any SEO work you want. A quote that looks cheap up front can end up costing more once the extras are added, and a monthly fee that looks higher can turn out to be better value when everything is included. Comparing the full first-year cost puts every option on the same footing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a small business website cost in the UK?
It varies widely. A DIY builder usually costs a low monthly subscription plus your own time. Freelancers and agencies typically charge a one-off fee that can run from hundreds to several thousand pounds. Pay monthly services spread the cost instead. Our pay monthly websites start from £34.99 a month, with nothing to pay up-front.
Is a pay monthly website cheaper than paying up-front?
Not always over the long run, but it removes the large up-front bill and usually bundles hosting, updates and support into one fee. The fairest way to compare is to add up the full first-year cost of each option, including hosting, email, security and any charges for changes.
What is included in your monthly fee?
Your website is built around your business with no templates, and it works on all screen sizes. The fee includes the search engine building blocks, changes and updates, support with one point of contact, green hosting and free email accounts. Basic security is included.
Are there any extra costs?
Basic security is free, but if you need more than that, additional charges apply. Changes are subject to a fair usage policy, and ongoing SEO is available as an additional monthly package. Whoever you choose, ask what is and is not included before you commit.
How many pages will my website need?
That depends on what your business does. A simple service business may need only a handful of pages, while a bigger business may need more. Our packages differ by the number of pages, and we are happy to advise on what makes sense.
Do you build websites for small businesses across Northamptonshire?
Yes. We are based in Wellingborough and work with small businesses across Northamptonshire, including Northampton, Kettering, Corby and Daventry.
Final thoughts
The cheapest website is not always the best value, and the most expensive is not always the best result. The right price is the one where you know exactly what you are getting, what it will cost month to month and who is looking after it.
If you want a professional small business website with no up-front cost, No Worry Websites is built for exactly that. If you would like a clear answer for your own business, get in touch with us and we will talk you through the options. If you are in Northamptonshire, you can also see our pages for website design in Northampton, Kettering, Wellingborough, Corby and Daventry.