Website design cost UK: How much does a website cost in UK?

Website designing in the UK typically costs between £500 and £100,000, depending on the size, design complexity, and functionality of the website.

• Basic informational websites cost around £500 to £1,500, suitable for small businesses or personal portfolios.
• Small business websites range from £1,500 to £5,000, including CMS integration and branded design.
• E-commerce websites cost £5,000 to £15,000 or more, depending on the number of products and payment features.
• Custom websites start at £10,000 and can exceed £50,000 for advanced features and integrations.
• Enterprise websites range from £20,000 to £100,000, offering large-scale systems, complex functionality, and multi-user access.

The cost of website design in the UK depends on several key factors that shape both the time and resources required to build the site:

1. Website Type

The type of website is the biggest cost driver. A simple brochure or portfolio site costs less because it only includes basic pages and static content. In contrast, e-commerce stores or custom web applications require advanced development for features like product catalogs, checkout systems, and user dashboards, which increase the total cost.

2. Design Complexity

A standard template-based layout is more affordable, while custom designs built from scratch demand more creative work, testing, and revisions. The more unique and detailed the design, the higher the design hours and overall cost.

3. Functionality

Adding advanced features such as payment gateways, booking systems, CRM integrations, or custom animations requires extra coding and testing. Each added function increases development time and overall cost.

4. Content Volume

The number of pages and the amount of content on your website directly affect pricing. Larger websites with many pages, blogs, or product listings require more design and development effort.

5. Platform Choice

DIY platforms like Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress templates are cost-effective for small projects. However, custom-coded websites built with frameworks such as React, Laravel, or Node.js are more expensive due to their flexibility and scalability.

6. Designer or Agency Experience

Freelancers are generally cheaper but may have limited capacity, while professional web design agencies charge higher rates for their expertise, project management, and full-service support.

7. Hosting and Domain Costs

Hosting and domain fees are recurring costs. Shared hosting is inexpensive, while dedicated or cloud hosting solutions like AWS or SiteGround come at a premium, especially for high-traffic websites.

8. Maintenance and Support

Websites need regular updates, backups, and security patches. Agencies may charge a monthly maintenance fee ranging from £500 to £3,000 depending on the site’s complexity and update frequency.

9. Content Creation

Professionally written copy, original photography, and high-quality videos improve user engagement but add to overall project costs. Content creation services are often billed separately from design.

10. Project Timeline

The faster you want your website delivered, the more you will pay. Tight deadlines often require additional resources, extended hours, or a dedicated team, which increases the total cost.

The type of development team greatly impacts UK website pricing.
Pricing varies based on experience, location, and working model (freelancers, in-house teams, or agencies).

A typical experienced webdesign freelancer cost around £30–£60/hour or £200–£400/day. They're affordable for small to mid-sized projects, offering flexibility and direct communication. However, they may lack resources for complex tasks and need closer management.
Pros:

• Cost-effective for smaller projects
• Flexible schedules and direct contact
• Good for specific tasks like design or coding
  
   

Cons:

• Limited capacity for large projects
• Potential issues with reliability and deadlines
• Less scalability for bigger needs

Hiring full-time developers costs about £30,000/year (roughly 1,000 hours of work). They ensure full control, better communication, and strong brand alignment but involve high salary, training, and operational costs.
Pros:

• Full-time availability for faster response
• Deep understanding of your brand and goals
• Best for ongoing updates and internal systems
  
   

Cons:

• High long-term costs (salaries, benefits)
• Limited exposure to diverse techniques
• Less suited for short-term or small projects

Agencies like Tenet charge around £50–£200/hour or £300–£1,000/day. They offer skilled teams, complete solutions (design, development, SEO), and faster delivery, but they are the most expensive option and may lack the personal touch of an in-house team.

Pros:

• Professional websites with custom designs
• Full-service packages including SEO, branding, marketing
• Faster project completion with expert teams
• Ongoing maintenance and security support

Cons:

• Higher costs than freelancers or DIY options
• Potential communication gaps in bigger teams
• May be excessive for small, simple projects

The location of your development team can have a considerable impact on the cost of website design. The difference in the pricing occurs due to the differences in labor rates, expertise, and operational expenses. 

Development teams located in cities with a higher cost of living charge higher than those located in areas with a low cost of living. Here is a table summarizing the cost of website development across the various cities in the UK:

That’s one of the reasons why we have some of our delivery teams in a tech-friendly and highly skilled force country like India, as that helps us deliver exceptional quality and better rates than most agencies in the UK. 

Adding features and functionality can cost between £250 and £5,000+, depending on complexity. These elements improve user experience, engagement, and efficiency but can significantly impact website design costs in the UK. Advanced features require more development, integration, testing, and specialized expertise, increasing time and expenses.

Here is a list of some of the common features and functionality a website must have:

Each additional feature may raise development time, testing, and maintenance costs, which affects the entire website cost.

The average website design cost in the UK ranges from £1,500 to £20,000+, depending on complexity. Simple, template-based designs are cheaper, while custom designs aligned with your brand cost more.

Factors affecting cost:

• Custom vs. Template Design: Custom websites (£2,000–£20,000+) are costlier than template-based ones (£500–£2,500).
• Branding Elements: Creating logos, colors, and fonts can add £5,000–£30,000.
• Visual Content: Stock media costs £100–£500; custom photography/videos cost £2,000–£10,000.
• Number of Pages: Small sites (1–10 pages) cost £1,000–£2,000; large sites (150–200 pages) cost £10,000–£20,000.

The average cost of website development and programming in the UK ranges from £1,000 to £15,000.

Basic websites using CMS platforms like WordPress are cheaper and quicker to build. Custom coding, backend development, and special features like third-party integrations increase the cost.

The programming language and development framework used also impact pricing. Advanced tools or certifications raise development expenses.

Testing, debugging, website speed optimization, security measures, and ensuring web standards compliance add to the final development cost.

Adding third-party integrations to a website costs between £500 and £3,500.

Integrations connect your site with tools like payment gateways, CRM systems, social media, and analytics platforms.

Costs increase with the number, complexity, and customization of integrations. Custom work also requires extra testing, debugging, and maintenance, raising the final development cost.

Some of the most common third-party integrations that you can add to your website include the following: 

The cost of acquiring and maintaining a domain is determined by several factors. They are as follows: 

On the other hand, hosting is the service that keeps your website's files and makes them available online. 

The type of hosting you choose has a considerable impact on pricing, with storage space, server type, traffic capacity, and other services all influencing the price. 

Hosting expenses are recurring and vary depending on the size, traffic, and requirements of the website. 

It is an important factor to consider when budgeting for website development. Here is a table with the popular hosting company and their associated plans:

Content development and creation comprise creating text, photographs, videos, and other media to populate your website. The kind, quality, and volume of content have a considerable impact on prices. 

Here is the breakdown of the various aspects related to content creation and the associated costs:

Testing and quality assurance (QA) cost 2% to 15% of the total website development cost, averaging £3,000 to £7,000.

QA checks website performance, responsiveness, and security before launch. It identifies bugs, improves user experience, prevents security risks, and ensures the site meets business and user needs.

The cost of testing based on its types are as follows:

This process needs time, tools, and experience, which increases the entire development cost.

In general, website maintenance and support cost between £500 and £3,000 per month in the UK. Maintenance includes regular updates, security patches, content changes, and technical support to keep the website running smoothly. 

Websites with high traffic or frequent updates need more intensive maintenance, increasing ongoing ownership costs based on size and complexity.

Some of the factors that influence the maintenance and support cost of a website are as follows:

Maintenance/Support Type	Explanation	Cost
Bug Fixes & Updates	Regular fixes and updates to keep the website functional and secure.	£500 - £2,000 per month
Content Updates	Updating text, images, blogs, and other elements on the website.	£1,000 - £3,000 per month
Security Patches & Backups	Ongoing work to protect the website from hacks and data loss.	£500 - £2,500 per month
Feature Enhancements	Adding new features or improving existing functionalities.	£2,000 - £8,000 per month
Technical Support & Troubleshooting	Continuous availability for solving technical issues.	£500 - £2,000 per month

Website design pricing models in the UK

Website design costs in the UK depend heavily on the pricing model you choose.  Here’s a detailed breakdown:

Project-Based (Fixed) Pricing

How It Works:
In project-based pricing, the client and designer agree on a fixed cost before any work starts.
The full scope of work, timelines, and deliverables are discussed and locked in upfront.
Once finalized, any additional work outside the agreed scope is billed separately.

Best For:

• Small to medium websites with a clearly defined structure.
• Businesses that want a one-time design project (e.g., blogs, portfolios, company websites).

 

Pros:

• Predictable Costs: No unexpected charges once the project begins.
• Clear Deliverables: Everyone knows what’s included.
• Set Deadlines: Project usually finishes on schedule.

 

Cons:

• Limited Flexibility: Adding new features later can be expensive.
• Scope Creep Risk: Any extra requests can increase costs.
  
   

Typical Cost Range:

Website Type	Cost Range
Basic Website	£500 – £2,500
E-commerce Website	£3,000 – £10,000
Custom Website	£5,000 – £20,000

Hourly Pricing

How It Works:
In hourly pricing, the designer or agency tracks time spent on each task (design, development, revisions, meetings).
The final bill is calculated by multiplying total hours by the agreed hourly rate.
There’s no fixed final cost — you pay as work progresses.

Best For:

• Projects with evolving or unclear requirements.
• Businesses needing continuous updates, maintenance, or small design changes.
  
   

Pros:

• High Flexibility: Adjust project requirements anytime.
• Pay Only for Work Done: Ideal if you need work in phases.
• Good for Long-Term Support: Useful for website updates over months or years.
  
   

Cons:

• Unpredictable Total Cost: Hard to estimate final expenses.
• Open Timelines: Longer projects may increase costs.
  
   

Typical Hourly Rates:

Job Title	Rate Range	Average Rate
Graphic Designer	£9 – £35	£17
Web Designer	£9 – £36	£15
Freelance Graphic Designer	£16 – £25	£21
Web Developer	£25 – £150	£60
Senior Graphic Designer	£19 – £51	£30

Value-Based Pricing

How It Works:
Value-based pricing sets the project cost based on the business value or return on investment (ROI) the website is expected to generate.
Instead of billing based on hours worked or project size, the price reflects the website’s potential to drive leads, sales, or brand growth.
The designer evaluates the business impact first, then proposes a price accordingly.

Best For:

• Businesses where the website will directly influence revenue growth.
• High-value websites that drive lead generation, e-commerce sales, or brand positioning.
  
   

Pros:

• Focus on Results: Pricing linked to measurable business outcomes.
• Fixed Pricing: Clear understanding of the total cost at the start.
• Justifies Premium Pricing: Greater potential ROI for the client.
  
   

Cons:

• Higher Initial Cost: Premium investment upfront.
  Uncertain ROI: Results may depend on factors outside the designer’s control.
  
   

Typical Cost Estimate:
5% to 20% of the website’s projected annual revenue.

Website design and development cost calculator (UK)

Website design and development costs in the UK vary based on project scope, customization level, number of pages, and features like e-commerce, booking systems, or custom applications.

General website design cost formula:

Total Website Cost (UK) = (Customization Level + Number of Pages + Features + Testing + Maintenance + Hosting Costs)

Looking for an exact UK-based website quote?

Hire our UK web design experts and get a detailed quotation within 24 hours — no hidden fees, fully tailored to UK standards and pricing.

Investing in website design and development can provide a high return on investment (ROI) once it starts to support the business objectives and drives growth. Here are 6 ways a well-designed website can deliver ROI:

Around 75% of visitors perceive well-designed websites as more trustworthy, which directly influences their decision to engage with your brand. Hence, a well-optimized website attracts more visitors and encourages them to visit it again. It also helps in better sales or lead generation, directly boosting revenue, especially for e-commerce businesses.

Did you know that 88% of web users leave a website after a poor website experience? Hence, having a user-friendly, easy-to-navigate website improves visitor happiness, reduces bounce rates, and increases time spent on the site. This results in better engagement and conversions.

An optimized design can improve the conversion rate by up to 400%. Hence, adding components such as clear calls-to-action, easy checkout, and responsiveness increases conversion rates. This encourages users to take the desired actions.

👉 Learn how much does conversion rate optimization services cost

Automating essential activities such as customer support, booking systems, and payment gateways can eliminate manual input. This helps save costs and increase efficiency.

As per research, consistent branding can boost the company’s revenue by 23%. Thus, a good website helps you do its branding. This helps in increasing credibility and trust, resulting in increased loyalty, referrals, and repeat business. 

A well-designed website boosts SEO, which allows you to integrate PPC campaigns. It also helps in promoting your social media channels, resulting in increased traffic and ROI toward digital marketing strategies. 

The ROI of website design and development goes beyond monetary gains. Thus, investing in website design yields an obvious return by promoting growth, efficiency, and brand trust in the long run. 

So, are you ready to start your website design and development project? Then, reach out to us.  You may wonder why. So, here is why! 

Tenet is a renowned UI/UX design and growth marketing company holding an experience of more than 7 years. Over this journey, we have successfully helped 300+ clients and completed 450+ projects. 

With a stellar record of 98% client satisfaction, our solutions have helped our client generate more than $1.54 billion in revenue & investments. Our solutions have impacted the lives of 20+ million people globally. Here is what our clients are saying about us  

Here is another one:

We provide more than 30 services, such as Brand Research, Brand Strategy, UX Research, UI UX Design, Website Development, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Growth Marketing, and several more. 

Our clients choose us over our competitors because of our understanding of the industry and the ownership we bring to the table. We are definitely not the cheapest agency in the market, but we can vouch that we can help you reach your vision by making it our own.

All you need to bring is your idea and vision, and the rest of our team will work alongside you to get it to reality.  Still not sure? 

You can also see our portfolio to learn about our expertise. 

👉 Find our curated list of UI/UX Design Companies (UK)

Designing a website in the UK typically takes 2 to 24 weeks, depending on project complexity. Basic websites can be completed in 2 to 4 weeks, while custom or enterprise-level sites may take up to 24 weeks. The timeline depends on factors such as design complexity, customization level, content creation, client feedback, and feature requirements.

Yes, hiring a professional web designer in the UK is worth the investment if you want a high-quality, user-friendly, and conversion-focused website. Professionals ensure your site meets modern design standards, improves SEO performance, and delivers an engaging user experience that strengthens brand trust and drives measurable results.

Yes, you can design your own website using DIY website builders like Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress. These tools allow you to create sites without coding experience. However, while they help reduce costs, self-made websites often lack professional design quality, customization options, SEO optimization, and long-term scalability.

In the UK, website design costs range from £500 for simple websites to over £100,000 for complex, custom-built platforms. Prices depend on design complexity, number of pages, features, and level of customization. Businesses can request a detailed quote to estimate accurate costs based on their goals and website type.

Tenet is one of the top web design companies in the UK, offering expert UI/UX design, web development, and growth marketing services. With over 7 years of experience and 350+ successful projects, Tenet has helped clients across 15 countries generate more than $1.54 billion in revenue through user-centered and high-performing digital solutions.

The average website design cost in the UK ranges from £500 to over £100,000, depending on the size and complexity of the site. Monthly maintenance costs range between £500 and £3,000, covering updates, security patches, backups, and content changes. Factors like functionality, hosting type, and frequency of updates also influence total ownership costs.