How Much Does Website Design Cost in 2025?
If you’re wondering, “How much does website design cost in 2025?,” you’re not alone. With businesses relying more on online presence as a powerful business tool than ever, website design cost has become a major consideration for brands of all sizes.
Of course, a basic portfolio site won’t cost the same as a feature-packed e-commerce store or a high-performance enterprise website with advanced security and integrations but the final cost of your website will be impacted by choosing between a custom design or templates, essential features like SEO and mobile responsiveness and whether you want to go DIY, hire a freelancer, or work with a professional agency.
That’s why we created this website pricing guide to break down the costs, help you understand what goes into pricing, and ensure you invest in a website that delivers real results. Whether you’re a startup, an e-commerce brand, or a growing enterprise, this guide will help you make an informed decision. Let’s get started!
Factors Affecting Website Design Costs
When businesses ask, “How much does a website cost?” The answer isn’t straightforward. Website design cost varies based on multiple factors, from the type of website you need to the features and functionality you want. Some websites cost as little as £500, while more advanced platforms can go well over £100,000.
Understanding what affects website design cost can help you make the best decision for your business whether you’re a startup, an e-commerce brand, or an enterprise. So, let’s break down the biggest factors that influence website pricing.
Website Type and Complexity
One of the biggest factors affecting website design cost is the type of website you need. A small business website with a few pages will cost significantly less than a complex e-commerce store or a large corporate site with advanced integrations.
For example, a simple portfolio website for freelancers or creatives can cost anywhere from £500 to £2,500, while a small business website with branding, SEO, and mobile optimization typically ranges between £2,500 and £8,000. If you’re planning to sell products online, an e-commerce website with payment integration, product pages, and secure checkout can cost anywhere from £5,000 to £40,000. On the higher end, enterprise websites with advanced security, CRM integrations, and multi-user access can go beyond £100,000.
Design and Customization
The design of your website plays a major role in its cost. Websites can either be built using pre-made templates or custom designs. While template-based websites are more affordable, they often lack flexibility and uniqueness. Many businesses find that templates limit their ability to create a standout online presence.
While custom website design, on the other hand, ensures that your website aligns perfectly with your brand and provides an excellent user experience. Custom designs cost more but offer better branding, improved functionality, and higher conversion rates.
Features and Functionality
The more features and functionality your website requires, the higher the cost. Basic websites with just a few pages and a contact form are relatively inexpensive. However, if you need advanced web features, of course, your investment will go up.
For example, SEO optimization is important for helping your website rank higher on Google and attract organic traffic. Websites optimized for SEO generate significantly more leads than those that aren’t. E-commerce functionality, such as secure payment gateways, product filtering, and automated inventory management, also adds to the cost. Security features like SSL certificates, two-factor authentication, and firewall protection are must-haves for any business handling customer data, all of which increase your cost.
Content and Media
Having a visually stunning website requires compelling content to engage visitors and convert them into customers. That’s why web design and content marketing go hand-in-hand. High-quality copywriting, images, and videos can make a huge difference in how users interact with your site. Websites with professional visuals and engaging copy generate 94% more views than those without.
At Texttot Digital, we provide:
- SEO-optimized content that helps you rank higher on Google and attract more customers
- High-quality images and graphics that enhance your brand identity
- Professional videos that boost engagement and conversions
Not only do we build high-performing websites that look good, but we also handle optimized content to drive real business results
Development Approach
The way you choose to build your website also impacts the cost. There are several options like DIY website builders, freelancers, web agencies, and enterprise-level development teams.
A DIY website using platforms like Wix or Squarespace can be affordable, costing between £10 and £150 per month, but they come with limitations in design and functionality. Hiring a freelancer can be a good middle-ground, with costs ranging from £1,000 to £10,000, but quality and support can vary.
For a more professional, scalable website, working with a web design agency like Texttot Digital is the best option. We provide full-service solutions, from design and development to SEO and maintenance, with pricing starting at £299 and going up to £999, depending on the plan you choose.
Website Design Cost by Type
As mentioned earlier, website design cost varies depending on the type of website you need. Whether you’re a freelancer looking for a simple portfolio, a small business establishing an online presence, or an enterprise requiring advanced features, the complexity and functionality of your site will determine the final price.
When asking, “How much does a website cost?”, several factors come into play, including design, features, SEO, security, and scalability. Naturally, a basic personal blog or portfolio site will cost significantly less than a feature-rich e-commerce platform or an enterprise-level system with custom integrations.
To help you make an informed decision, here’s a breakdown of estimated costs for different types of websites.
Personal or Portfolio Website (£500 – £2,500)
If you’re a freelancer, artist, writer, or consultant, a personal or portfolio website is a great way to showcase your work and attract clients. These websites are typically simple yet professional, with up to five pages, clean navigation, and basic SEO optimization. They serve as online resumes that help you establish your credibility and connect with potential customers.
A professionally designed portfolio site will ensure that your brand stands out and leaves a lasting impression, compared to DIY portfolio websites like Wix and Squarespace, which often restrict your flexibility and personalization.
Small Business Website (£2,500 – £8,000)
For small businesses, having a website goes beyond keeping an online presence, it is supposed to help you attract customers, generate leads, and establish credibility. Research shows that 75% of users judge a company’s credibility based on its website design, making it essential to invest in a professional site.
However, many businesses make the mistake of settling for cheap, template-based websites that often fail to deliver results. But a custom website for a small business typically includes custom branding, SEO optimization, mobile responsiveness, and lead capture forms. These features always ensure your website looks great, performs well in search engines and converts visitors into customers.
E-commerce Website (£5,000 – £40,000)
E-commerce is booming, and if you’re selling products or services online, your website needs to be fast, secure, and user-friendly to compete in the digital marketplace. With global e-commerce sales expected to exceed 10.4 trillion U.S. dollars by 2028, having a well-optimized online store is indeed a necessity.
A successful e-commerce website requires key features such as product listings, inventory management, seamless UI/UX optimization and secure payment gateways like Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay, etc.
Also, security is a top priority, SSL encryption and fraud protection should be available to protect customer data. Unfortunately, e-commerce websites without these features risk losing potential sales due to poor functionality or security concerns.
Custom Enterprise Website (£10,000 – £100,000)
For large businesses and corporations, a basic website simply won’t cut it. Enterprise websites are built for high performance, scalability, and security, handling massive traffic volumes and complex operations. These websites often require CRM integrations, multi-user access, and advanced security measures to protect sensitive data, all of which we offer at a very reasonable rate at Texttot Digital.
An enterprise website must be built to grow with your business with high-level security features, role-based access, and seamless third-party integrations to ensure smooth operations. These websites often need ongoing maintenance and support to keep them running efficiently, making it imperative to work with an experienced team.
DIY vs. Hiring a Web Designer vs. Web Agency: Which One Is Right for You?
When building a website, one of the first decisions you’ll face is whether to do it yourself, hire a freelance web designer or partner with a web design agency. Each option comes with its own benefits and drawbacks, and your choice will ultimately affect your website’s quality, functionality, and overall success.
And without further ado, we’ll be breaking down the available options so you can make an informed decision. Let’s get into it.
DIY Website Builders
Many business owners start with DIY website builders like Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress. These platforms are designed for ease of use, allowing anyone to create a basic website without technical skills. They often come with drag-and-drop editors, pre-designed templates, and simple customization options.
The biggest advantage of DIY website builders is their cost, typically ranging from £10 to £200 per month, which makes them an attractive option for startups or small businesses on a budget. So, if you just need a simple personal website or a basic landing page, this can be a quick and cost-effective solution.
However, DIY websites have so many limitations starting with restricted customization options, meaning you might not be able to achieve the exact look or functionality you want. Their SEO optimization is weak, making it harder for your site to rank on Google. Additionally, building and managing a website takes time, a limited resource most business owners can’t afford to waste.
Hiring a Freelance Web Designer
Freelancers are a middle-ground option between DIY and a web design agency. A good freelancer can offer more customization than a website builder while being more affordable than an agency. A freelancer’s price will range from anywhere between £1,500 to £10,000 or more, depending on the project’s complexity.
Hiring a freelancer, however, offers flexibility. They can provide a custom website design, optimize for SEO, and add extra features you wouldn’t get with a website builder, but there are some downsides. Freelancers vary greatly in expertise and reliability, some may deliver high-quality work, while others might lack the technical skills or experience needed for complex projects. Availability is also a concern as freelancers tend to juggle multiple projects, thereby leading to missed deadlines or limited support. If your website needs ongoing updates or troubleshooting, finding a consistently available freelancer can be challenging.
Since you want more reliability and considering working with a freelancer, why not choose a professional agency like Texttot Digital that offers the same personalized service at an affordable rate?
Working with a Web Design Agency
For businesses that want a high-quality, professional website, a web design agency is the best option. Agencies offer full-service solutions, handling everything from design and development to SEO, security, and maintenance. While the website design cost is higher, ranging from £5,000 to £100,000, the results are worth it.
A web design agency brings together a team of experts, including designers, developers, SEO specialists, and content strategists. This means you’re getting a fully optimized, scalable website that performs well and grows with your business. Agencies also provide long-term support, ensuring your website remains secure and up to date.
Which Option Is Right for You?
If you’re on a tight budget and just need a simple website, DIY website builders or hiring a freelancer might work. But if you want more customization and professional results, a web agency is a better investment.
And at Texttot Digital, we specialize in creating custom websites that drive traffic, generate leads, and boost conversions at, of course, affordable pricing. Reach out today, let’s provide you with full-service support, ongoing maintenance, and high-quality results to help your business grow online.
Ongoing Website Costs
Many business owners focus on the upfront website design cost, but what happens after the site goes live?
To ensure efficiency, a website requires ongoing investment to stay secure, fast, and visible online and ignoring these costs can lead to slow performance, security risks, and poor search rankings, all of which can harm your business.
In this section, we’ll discuss some key ongoing website costs and why they matter to keep your site running at its best.
Domain and Hosting (£10 – £500/year)
Your domain name (e.g., www.yourbusiness.com) is your website’s address on the internet. It typically costs between £10 and £50 per year, depending on the extension you choose (.com, .co.uk, .net, etc.). If you want a premium domain such as a short, brandable, or highly searched name, you might pay significantly more.
Hosting, on the other hand, is where your website’s data is stored. The cost of hosting varies based on the level of service you need:
- Shared hosting (best for small websites) cost £30 – £150/year
- VPS hosting (for growing businesses) cost £150 – £500/year
- Dedicated hosting (for high-traffic sites) cost £1,000 or more/year
While cheap hosting might seem attractive, it often results in slow page speeds, frequent downtime, and poor security. Studies show that a one second delay in page load time can reduce conversions by 20%, which means a slow website could be costing you sales.
Website Maintenance (£500 – £5,000/year)
A website isn’t something you can set up once and forget about, you need regular maintenance. Without it, your website becomes vulnerable to hacks, slows down, or stops working altogether. The cost of website maintenance often depends on how much support your site requires, but common expenses include:
- Software updates and security patches to protect against cyber threats
- Bug fixes and performance optimization to ensure smooth functionality
- Regular backups to prevent data loss in case of technical failures
- Content updates and design improvements to keep your site fresh and engaging
Many businesses only realize the importance of maintenance when something breaks and sometimes, by then, fixing a hacked or outdated site can be more expensive. So, instead of waiting for problems to arise, Texttot offers affordable website maintenance plans that keep your site running smoothly year-round. Contact us for more information on that.
SEO and Marketing (£500 – £10,000/month)
Did you know that 75% of users never scroll past the first page of Google search results? That means if your website isn’t optimized, potential customers may never find you.
A well-designed website won’t generate leads if no one can find it. That’s where SEO and digital marketing come in. SEO helps your website rank higher on Google to increase visibility and attract organic traffic. The cost of SEO usually depends on competition, industry, and strategy. Here’s a breakdown of what businesses typically invest:
- Basic SEO (for small businesses) costs between £500 – £1,500/month
- Mid-level SEO (for growing businesses) cost £1,500 – £5,000/month
- Advanced SEO & content marketing (for highly competitive industries) cost £5,000 – £10,000/month
Get a Custom Quote
Understanding the website design cost in 2025 is essential for making the right investment and it is dependent on factors like complexity, features, and ongoing maintenance.
While a DIY approach may seem cost-effective, it often comes with limitations in customization and scalability. Hiring a freelance web designer can offer more flexibility but will not provide long-term support. However, partnering with a professional web design agency like Texttot Digital ensures a high-quality, fully optimized website that meets your business goals.
If you’re still wondering, “How much does a website cost?”, then let’s find the best plan for your budget. Get in touch with us today for a custom quote.