These days, being online isn’t a choice — it’s expected. It’s the first thing people do when they want to find or trust a business. Having a website gives your brand a home, a voice, and a place to sell or share what you do.
How much does a website cost? The truth is, there’s no single answer. It depends on what kind of website you need. A simple portfolio or blog might cost very little, while a full ecommerce setup with features like stock control and payments will naturally cost more.
You might be surprised, though. Done the right way, you can get your own website for not much more than the price of a coffee.
In this guide, we’ll look at what goes into the cost of a website, from DIY options to professional builds, so you can decide what works best for your budget.
Key takeaways
- ☑︎ Start small with free trials or low-cost plans. Be aware that “always free” providers may show ads and probably won’t offer a custom domain name.
- ☑︎ Website builders are a budget-friendly way to get online, with plans covering hosting, templates, and sometimes a free domain for the first year.
- ☑︎ Hiring a web designer is the priciest option, but can be ideal if you’re short on time and in need of more complex site.
- ☑︎ Save money by creating your own content and handling updates yourself. Tools like WordPress give more control, though a little technical know-how helps.
- ☑︎ Ecommerce features usually require upgrading to higher-tier plans, whether you use a website builder or WordPress.
- ☑︎ Ongoing costs like hosting, domain renewal, security, and maintenance can add up over time — factor these into your budget.
- ☑︎ Choose a trusted provider such as 123 Reg, which bundles essentials like email and security to avoid hidden costs.
Getting online has never been cheaper
The first question for anyone starting out isn’t just “how much does a website cost?” — it’s whether you want to build it yourself or pay professionals to do it for you.
Back in the dot-com boom and through the 2000s, the obvious option for most small-to-medium businesses was to go straight to a professional. Having your website built by a designer or agency was the done thing, and going the DIY route wasn’t really an option unless you knew how to code and had plenty of time on your hands.
Fast forward to today, and things are very different. With intuitive drag-and-drop tools, anyone can create a site without ever having touch a single line of code.
Choose a template, add your content, click to publish — all in a matter of minutes. Dare we say, the days of picking up the phone to call the local web developer for a quote are now a thing of the past.
The days of picking up the phone to call the local web developer for a quote are now a thing of the past.
True, bigger online retailers still need teams to keep systems running (think Amazon-style setups). For smaller enterprises, just one person with little-to-no tech skills can now build a professional, full-featured online shop: payments, security, stock control, the lot. And as business grows, you can upgrade to more advanced plans when ready.
AI tools are making it even easier. You can generate images, product descriptions and copy in seconds. What used to take days of coding or a hefty designer bill can now be done quickly and affordably by one person.
While AI is also changing how people explore the web — with more results coming direct from AI-powered searches — the reality is that you still need a website on the net. Those bots that scan the web (and help your customers find you) like to see a good website, too.
In short, getting a website is faster, simpler, and more budget-friendly than it’s ever been before.
First things first: know what you want
Before you start, you need to know what you want your website to do:
1. What’s your website for?
Think about the pages and features you’ll need — a blog, an online shop, a booking system, a gallery to show off your work, and so on. You only want to pay for what you actually use, so planning ahead makes choosing the right tools much easier.
2. What type of website do you need?
A simple one‑pager or info site (like a blog or portfolio) will cost peanuts compared to a full online store. Add things like payments, stock control, or memberships, and the price naturally creeps up.
3. Will you build it yourself?
Website costs in the UK vary depending on how you build your site, whether using a website builder, hiring a designer, running WordPress, or building from scratch.
Building it yourself is the cheap and cheerful option — all it costs is your time (and maybe a few late nights). Paying a designer or agency means spending more, but that means they can handle the heavy lifting while you focus on everything else.
What do you need to get online?
✓ Domain name
This is your unique address online, like your-big-idea.co.uk.
How much does a domain cost? Typically, anywhere from £10–£30 a year. The most in-demand Premium Domains (think short, catchy names like cars.com or music.com) can go for much more.
Still, you might be surprised just how affordable most domains are — even with popular .com and .co.uk endings. With 123 Reg, you can get domains for as little as 1p for the first year. There are hundreds of extensions to choose from, so you’re bound to find the perfect domain name for your business.
✓ Hosting
This is where your site lives on the internet. Short of setting up a server in your cupboard, you’ll need hosting to keep your site online 24/7 and accessible worldwide.
✓ Website creation tools
These are what you’ll use to actually build your site — from website builders to WordPress or hosting with a built‑in platform. Add your own text, images, and videos to bring things to life.
✓ Professional email address
Not essential, but it’s a good look. Having an email address that matches your domain (like you@yourbusiness.co.uk) makes your business feel much more professional and trustworthy online.
✓ Security
You’ll need an SSL certificate to keeps your site secure (by encrypting sensitive data) and to build customer trust.
✓ SEO and marketing
These are the tools and tactics that help people find your site. You can do it yourself or pay for expert support — it all depends on your goals and time.
For more, check out: How to Buy a Domain Name: A Step-by-Step Guide (and Useful Tips)
So, how much does a website cost?
Easy website builders – from around £5-15 per month
Website builder tools let you create a website without coding, using templates and simple drag‑and‑drop editors. 123 Reg Website Builder starts from just £5.99 per month and gives you everything you need to get online. Choose the right plan and you’ll get added features like blogging, social media integration, marketing tools, and even full eCommerce tools.
Managed WordPress Hosting – typically £5-15 per month
The world’s most popular web development tool, WordPress itself is free, however you’ll need hosting to get your site online. Managed WordPress Hosting takes care of the updates, security, backups, and everything else in the background. At 123 Reg, the most affordable WordPress plans start from as little as £3.99 a month.
Web Hosting only – from about £5–£50 per month
For more technical users, Web Hosting gives you the freedom to build your site using any tools or custom design you like. Paying for hosting means the servers (and often things like security and backups) are taken care of in the background, while you control all the design and content. For a bit more, Premium Hosting plans usually come with extra performance and storage, and typically cost more.
Hiring a web designer – typically £500–£10,000+ depending on the site
The premium route. With a web developer or designer you’ll pay more upfront and hand over all the design and technical tasks to professionals.
Expect higher ongoing costs if you need them to handle ongoing updates too. Outsourcing to a pro (or team of pros) can typically cost from £500 to tens of thousands depending on the size and scope of the site.
| Option | Cost | Pros | Cons | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Website builder tools | From around £5-15 per month | Easy to use, drag-and-drop editing, mobile-friendly templates, includes blogging, social tools and online store features | Less flexibility than WordPress or custom builds | Small businesses, beginners, anyone who wants a site live quickly |
| Managed WordPress Hosting | From around £5-15 per month | WordPress power without the technical work, updates/security/backups handled for you, often includes AI design tools | More to learn than a builder, themes/plugins can add costs | Growing businesses, bloggers, content-heavy sites |
| Web Hosting | From around £5-50+ per month | Full freedom to build your site your way, works with any CMS or custom code, low monthly cost | Calls for technical know-how. You handle all design and setup yourself | Tech-savvy users, developers, hobby projects |
| Hiring a Web Designer | Typically £500–£10,000+ depending on the site | Fully tailored design, professional results, hands-off setup | Highest upfront cost, may need ongoing payments for updates | Established businesses, ecommerce brands, complex sites |
Content creation: the hidden cost
Who creates your website content can have a big impact on the overall cost. If you already have your text, images, and videos ready, you can save a lot on content creation fees.
If you need professional writers or designers, though, expect to pay around £80–£250 per page for written content, plus extra for visuals. For larger sites, that can easily run into the thousands — sometimes more than the build itself.
Even if you’re using a website builder or WordPress, quality content takes work. Planning, writing, and designing pages often takes more time than you’d think, so factor this in from the start. Luckily though, there’s lots of AI tools now available to take the load off.
How much do website builders cost?
Easy website builders are the quickest way to get online. Even if you’re brand new to this, you can have a smart, professional-looking site live in minutes, without paying a lot.
Most builders cost anywhere from a few quid a month up to around £30, based on what you need — things like design tools, shop features, or more storage. Many offer “free forever” plans, but these often come with limits or show the provider’s branding on your site.
With 123 Reg, Website Builder plans start from about a fiver per month on annual billing. You get hosting, a free domain for the first year, a mobile-ready website, a matching email address, and an SSL certificate, all included.
Learn more about 123 Reg Website Builder
Do ecommerce features cost more?
Yes, adding a proper online shop with payment features usually costs more than a standard website plan. If you start on a basic Website Builder, you can move up to Website Builder Online Store whenever you’re ready to sell online.
Online Store plan starts at £13.49 a month on an annual term. This gives you everything you need to sell, including product listings, payments, inventory management, and shipping tools — all in one plan, with no extra plugins or hidden fees.
For more, check out: How Can I Make an E-commerce Website?
How about smaller websites, like for restaurants or cafes?
Smaller sites, like those for restaurants, cafés, or most high street shops usually just need the basics like menus, photos, a map, contact details, and so on. In most cases, a simple website built with a website builder will do the job.
If you want to take online bookings, you can add a reservation tool or pick a plan that includes booking features.
For more, check out: How to Make a Restaurant Website: Menus, Opening Hours & More
How much does a web designer cost?
Web designers in the UK generally charge anywhere from £25 up to around £150 per hour, depending on their experience and the type of site you need.
Entry‑level designers might charge £25–£45 per hour for simple brochure sites. Mid‑level designers tend to be in the £50–£80 range, while senior specialists working on custom or ecommerce projects can charge £80–£150 or more. London‑based designers often sit at the higher end due to demand and living costs.
Some designers prefer a flat project fee instead of hourly rates. A basic brochure‑style site might start around £1,000–£3,000, while larger custom or ecommerce projects can go beyond £20,000.
Keep in mind these are starting prices. If you rely on your designer for site updates or maintenance, extra costs can add up fast. It’s worth discussing ongoing support upfront so there are no surprises later.
Cost comparison: Designer vs Website Builder
| Feature | With Designer | With 123 Reg Builder |
|---|---|---|
| Design | High | Template-based |
| Builder cost | N/A | Low annual |
| Hosting | Moderate annual | Included |
| Domain name | Low annual | Included first year |
| SSL certificate | Low to moderate | Included |
| Maintenance | Moderate annual | N/A |
| Year 1 total | Much higher | Much lower |
| Ongoing cost | Higher | Lower |
How much does a domain name cost?
Domain Name prices vary depending on the extension you choose — that’s the bit after your name, like .co.uk, .com, or .online.
Most standard domains cost £15-30 a year, though premium names (short, catchy, or highly searched) can go for hundreds or even thousands.
With 123 Reg, you can get a domain for as little as 1p for the first year. As mentioned, you can also get a free domain the right Website Builder or other hosting plan, so it’s worth checking what’s bundled before buying separately.
Of course, there’s nothing stopping you from buying lots of domains and pointing them all to your new website.
For more, check out: The Most Expensive Domain Names Ever Sold
Can I get a domain name for free?
Yes! You can claim a free .com, .uk, or .co.uk domain for the first year on selected plans with 123 Reg.
Add Website Builder, Online Store, Managed WordPress, Web Hosting, or Premium Hosting plans to your basket, then use the domain checker to pick your name — it’ll be free at checkout.
These plans also come with extras like a professional email address and an SSL certificate to keep your site secure. Website Builder helps you create a professional‑looking site with no technical skills needed, while Online Store and WordPress Hosting include advanced SEO tools and customisation options for businesses and online shops.
To get started, choose a plan, use the checker to add your free domain, and start building your secure, professional website — with all the essentials included.
Find out about how you can get a domain free for the first year with 123 Reg
Can I make a website for free?
You can definitely start a website at little or no cost, but it depends on what “free” actually means and what you need.
Many companies advertise “free websites,” but there are usually some catches. Often, you won’t get a real domain — instead, your address might look like yourname.provider.com. Free plans can also display ads on your site, which can make it look less professional.
With 123 Reg, you get a 30-day free trial of the Website Builder. You can make and publish a basic site with no cost at all. If you buy a domain at the same time, the first year is often free or very cheap, based on the plan. Once the trial ends, you’ll need a paid plan to keep the site live. That covers your hosting, builder, and domain. And if you want a real domain name, solid hosting, or tools like online payments or email, a paid plan is the best route.
So yes, you can start for free — just think of it as a free trial to try things out before you pick a plan that suits your budget.
How much does it cost to keep a website running?
Keeping a website live usually means paying for hosting, a domain, and any extras like security or updates. With a website builder or WordPress, ongoing costs are generally low — often just a few pounds a month.
If you hire a web designer, costs can be higher. Maintenance or updates each time you want a change can add up quickly compared with managing the site yourself.
How can I avoid paying too much for my website?
Choose providers with good reviews and clear pricing. Bundled plans with hosting, a domain, and security can save you surprises later. This approach keeps costs in check while giving you a reliable site.
Extra fees to watch out for
Some extras can add to the cost, like domain renewals, premium themes or plugins, or extra storage and security. If you work with a designer, you might also pay for updates or maintenance each time you want a change. With a builder or WordPress, most extras are optional, so you can keep costs low if you don’t need them.
Always check what’s included and allow for any add-ons you might want later!
Wrap up
Creating an affordable website starts with choosing a simple, budget-friendly builder and only paying for the features you actually need. Keeping things lean at the beginning — and upgrading later — can save you a lot in the long run.
You can also cut costs by creating your own content instead of hiring writers or photographers. It’s worth getting quotes from different providers so you know what you’re really paying for. And whatever you choose, go for tools that can grow with you rather than ones you’ll outgrow in a year.
