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 a lot 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 a 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.
- ☑︎ E-commerce 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 (or easier)
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 drag-and-drop website builders, anyone can create a site without touching a single line of code. You just pick a design, add your content, and 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) but 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 it’s true that AI is changing how people explore the web — with more results coming straight from AI-powered searches — the reality is that you still need a your site up on the net. Those bots crawling the internet (on behalf of your customers) still prefer a good website, too.
In short, for small businesses or individuals just starting out, building your own website is faster, simpler, and more budget-friendly than it’s ever been before.
First things first: know what you need
1. What’s your website for?
Before you start, you need to know what what you want your website to do.
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. Prices range from just a few pounds a month to several thousand upfront.
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 essentials 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 £20–£100 a year. Premium domains (think short, catchy names like cars.com or music.com) can be pricier.
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. Many website builders include hosting as part of the package, but standalone hosting can range from free to £500+ a year depending on performance and support.
✓ 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 address that matches your domain (like you@yourbusiness.co.uk) makes your business feel more credible and trustworthy.
✓ Security
An SSL certificate keeps your site secure and builds customer trust. Some are free, while paid options start around £100 or more.
✓ 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. They often include blogs, social links, marketing tools, and online store options. 123 Reg Website Builder starts from just £5.99 per month and gives you everything you need to get online.
Managed WordPress Hosting – typically £5-15 per month
WordPress itself is free, but you’ll need hosting. 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 at £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 CMS or custom design you like. The host takes care of servers, security, and backups, 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 prefer them to handle updates too — typically 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 |
When you’re getting started, you’ll usually work with a domain registrar and web host — the places where you register your website address and store your site online. Providers like 123 Reg make this really simple, combining domain registration, hosting, and tools to get your website live quickly.
Even if you’re completely new to building a site, you can have something professional-looking up and running in no time, without spending a fortune.
How much do website builders cost?
Website builders are one of the easiest ways to get online without needing coding skills.
Prices usually range from just a few pounds a month up to around £30 or more, depending on what you want — things like design tools, ecommerce options, or extra storage. Most plans include hosting, a free domain for the first year, and mobile‑friendly layouts. You can also find free versions, but they 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) and that includes hosting, a free domain for the first year, email, and an SSL certificate for security. Need ecommerce or advanced features? You can upgrade to higher‑tier plans whenever you’re ready. These also include hosting, a first‑year domain, and options to scale with online shop and Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) tools.
Learn more about 123 Reg Website Builder
Does a shop or ecommerce cost more?
Adding a shop or full ecommerce features usually costs more than a standard Website Builder plan. While basic plans are designed for sites with simple pages, ecommerce plans give you the ability to have full product listings, payments, inventory, and shipping tools, to sell direct to customers.
With 123 Reg, their standard Website Builder plans cover simple sites, but to sell online you’ll need one of their Online Shop or ecommerce plans. These cost more than the basic builder, but include everything you need to manage products, take payments, and run promotions without extra plugins or fees. Prices vary depending on the plan, and there are often introductory deals for the first year.
For more, check out: How Can I Make an E-commerce Website?
How about a smaller website, like for restaurants or cafes?
Smaller sites, such as for restaurants or cafés, usually need just a few key features: a menu, photos, location map, contact details, and sometimes booking or reservation options.
Costs can vary depending on how you build it. Using a designer might start at a similar price to a basic website, while premium plans from website builders are often more affordable and still give you everything you need to get online.
For more, check out: How to Make a Restaurant Website: Menus, Opening Hours & More
How much does a web designer cost?
In the UK, web designers 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 quickly add up. 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 |
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 does a domain name cost?
Domain 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 between £1 and £20 a year, though premium names (short, catchy, or highly searched ones) can go for hundreds or even thousands.
With 123 Reg, you can get a domain for as little as 1p for the first year, making it an easy win if you’re just starting out. You’ll often find deals that include a free domain with your hosting or website builder plan, so it’s worth checking what’s bundled before buying separately.
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 .online domain for the first year with selected plans. Add Website Builder, Online Store, Managed WordPress Hosting, Web Hosting, or Premium Hosting 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.
Get a free domain for the first year with 123 Reg
Can I make a website for free?
You can certainlny make a great website for very little, though it depends on what you mean by “free” and what you actually need.
You’ll also see other companies offering “free websites”, but most come with a few catches. Usually, they don’t include a real domain — you’ll get something like yourname.provider.com instead of yourbusiness.co.uk. Free plans can also show adverts across your site, which makes it look less professional and can be distracting for your visitors.
With 123 Reg, you get a 30‑day free trial of its Website Builder when you sign up. That lets you create and publish a basic site without paying a thing. If you register a domain at the same time, the first year is often free or heavily discounted, depending on the plan. It’s a handy way to try things out and get your content online before committing.
After the free period ends, you’ll need a paid plan to keep your site live. These cover your hosting, website builder, and domain renewal. If you want a proper custom domain name, reliable hosting, and features like online payments or marketing tools, a paid plan is the way to go.
So while you can start for free, there’s no such thing as a completely free website. Think of it more as a free trial — a chance to build, test, and play before deciding on the plan that fits your budget best.
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?
If you’re hiring a designer, get a few quotes so you can compare rates. Be clear about what you need from the start to avoid paying for features you won’t use.
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.
Are there extra fees I should know about?
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.