What changes the price of a website
Two quotes for "a website" are rarely for the same thing. These are the things that move the price most:
- Number of pages. A four-page site is a very different job from one with a page for every service and area.
- Custom design or a template. A template is quicker and cheaper; a custom design fits your business and stands out from competitors using the same theme.
- Who writes the words. Copywriting is often left out of cheap quotes, and it is the part that turns visitors into enquiries.
- Features. Online booking, deposits, payments, quote calculators and customer logins all add work.
- The platform. A website builder, WordPress with plugins, Shopify, or hand-written code all have different build and running costs.
- What happens after launch. Hosting, updates, backups and changes are either included, sold as a plan, or left to you.
Typical website prices in the UK
These ranges come from a published 2026 UK price guide and show what agencies typically charge. They are a guide, not a quote.
| Type of website | Typical agency price | Highkept |
|---|---|---|
| Small business website | £1,500 – £5,000 | £499 – £1,799, fixed |
| Custom business website | £5,000 – £15,000 | Quoted at a fixed price |
| Online store | £8,000 – £30,000+ | Quoted at a fixed price |
Agency figures: Lilo, "How much does website design cost in the UK? 2026 UK price guide".
The monthly costs to budget for
The build is a one-off. A website also has running costs, and these are where quotes are easiest to misread:
- Domain name: around £10 to £20 a year.
- Hosting: £20 to £100 a month from many agencies, depending on the site.
- Maintenance or care plans: £50 to £300 a month is common.
- Add-ons: paid plugins, booking software, Shopify apps and email accounts, often billed separately.
Our plans are Hosting at £19, Care at £49, Fully managed at £199 a month, with no minimum term and 30 days' notice. Figures above from the same 2026 guide.
Why some quotes are much cheaper
A low price is not a bad sign on its own. It usually means one of these:
- A template with your logo added, rather than a design for your business.
- You write all the words and supply all the photos.
- Hosting, updates or the domain are charged monthly, or are in the builder's name.
- Changes after launch are charged by the hour.
None of these is wrong if you know about it. The problem is finding out after you have paid.
How to compare website quotes
- Send every supplier the same list of pages and features.
- Ask whether the price is fixed, and what would make it change.
- Ask who writes the words and who supplies the photos.
- Ask what the monthly costs are, and whether there is a minimum term.
- Ask who owns the domain, the design and the content if you leave.
- Look at live sites they have built, on your phone.
What a Highkept website costs
Online stores, systems and bespoke projects are quoted at a fixed price after a short call. Half is paid to start and the rest when you are happy and the site goes live. See full prices.