This is probably the question we get asked the most, and honestly the answer you'll find online isn't that helpful. "It depends" is technically true, but it doesn't help you figure out what to budget. So let's break it down properly.
Doing it yourself (free to about £300 a year)
Wix, Squarespace, that sort of thing. You can build something yourself for not much money, and for some people that's fine. The catch is it takes ages to get it looking right, the templates can feel a bit samey, and you'll probably end up fighting the editor more than actually building your site. If you've got the time and patience, go for it. Most business owners don't.
Hiring a freelancer (£500 to £3,000ish)
Quality is all over the place here. Some freelancers are brilliant, some will take your money and deliver something that looks like it was built in 2012. The bigger issue is what happens afterwards. If you need a change in six months, will they even reply? A lot of freelancers move on to other projects and you're left stuck.
Going to an agency (£3,000 to £20,000+)
Agencies do great work, but the prices reflect their overheads. Office, staff, account managers... you're paying for all of that. For a big company that makes sense. For a local business that just needs a solid website that brings in enquiries, it's usually way more than you need to spend.
The setup fee + monthly plan model
This is what we do at Obrix, and we think it's the best fit for most small businesses. You pay a one-off setup fee to get the site designed and built, then a monthly fee that covers hosting, support, security updates, and content changes. You know exactly what you're paying every month and there's no surprise invoices.
Things to watch out for
- Hidden hosting costs. Some designers quote a low price for the build but don't mention you'll need to pay for hosting separately. Always ask.
- No ongoing support. If something breaks or you need a text change, will they help? Or will it cost extra every time?
- Who owns the domain? Make sure your domain name is registered in your name, not theirs. You'd be surprised how often this trips people up.
- Long lock-in contracts. Read the small print. If they want you locked in for years with no way out, that's a red flag.
Realistically, for a small business website that looks professional and actually generates enquiries, you're looking at somewhere between £300 and £800 upfront and £50 to £150 a month. If someone's quoting you less than that, the quality probably won't be there. If it's significantly more, you're likely paying for stuff you don't need.