How Much Does a Small Business Website Cost in the UK? (2026 Guide)
If you've ever asked three web designers for a quote, you'll know the answers can range from "a few hundred quid" to "sit down before you read this". So how much should a small business website actually cost in the UK?
Here's the honest answer from someone who has built websites for trades, salons, care companies and local businesses for years: most small businesses need far less than they're being sold, and far more than a free template thrown together on a Sunday night.
Let's break it down.
The short answer
For most UK small businesses, a professional website built on a platform like Wix is the sweet spot. You get a site that looks great, works on a phone and can be updated by you, without paying custom-build prices.
At Tartan Social, our Wix websites start from £999. That's designed and built for you, mobile-friendly, and easy for you to update yourself.
Custom-coded websites have their place, but for a plumber, a beauty salon or a local café? It's usually like buying a lorry to do the school run.
What you're actually paying for
A website quote isn't just "making the pages". A good one should cover:
Planning: what pages you need, who they're for and what you want visitors to do.
Design: a look that matches your brand and builds trust in the first few seconds.
Words: clear copy that says what you do, where you do it and how to book.
Build: setting it all up so it works properly on mobile, tablet and desktop.
SEO basics: page titles, descriptions and headings, so Google understands your site.
Handover: showing you how to change your prices, photos and opening hours yourself.
If a quote doesn't mention most of these, ask what's included. Cheap can get very expensive if you end up paying someone twice.
Your three options (and who they suit)
1. Do it yourself on a website builder
Best for: brand-new businesses on a tight budget who are happy to learn.
It's the cheapest route, but it costs you time. The biggest risk isn't the design, it's the words and the structure. A pretty site that doesn't tell people how to book is just an online brochure.
2. Done for you on a platform like Wix
Best for: most small businesses, trades and service providers.
You get a professional designer and a proper plan, but on a platform you can edit yourself. No waiting on a developer every time you change your prices. This is what we build at Tartan Social, from £999.
3. A custom-coded website
Best for: businesses that need complex features, integrations or thousands of products.
It's the most flexible option, but also the most expensive, and you'll usually need a developer for updates. If your site is mainly "here's what we do, here's our work, here's how to book", you probably don't need it.
The ongoing costs nobody mentions
Your website isn't a one-off cost. Budget for:
Your domain name (your web address), renewed every year.
Your website plan or hosting. On Wix, this is your Premium plan. Check Wix's pricing page for current prices, as they change.
A business email address that matches your domain.
Updates. New photos, prices and reviews. If you can do these yourself, you save money every single time.
That last point is a big one. If you have to email a developer to change your opening hours, you don't really own your website.
Not sure you need a website at all? Read why your small business needs a website (more than ever).
What a small business website actually needs
Forget the fancy animations. The websites that bring in work have four things:
A clear headline saying what you do and where.
Photos of your real work. Not stock photos.
Reviews from real customers.
One big, obvious button to call, book or get a quote.
Pretty is a bonus. Booked is the goal.
Red flags when you're getting a quote
They can't tell you exactly what's included.
You won't own your domain name.
Every small change has to go through them, at a cost.
There's no mention of mobile, even though most of your customers are on their phone.
They talk a lot about design and never ask about your customers.
So, how much should you spend?
Spend enough to get a site that's planned properly, looks professional and makes it easy for people to contact you. Then stop. The rest of your budget is usually better spent on getting seen: your social media, your Google Business Profile and asking happy customers for reviews.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wix good for a small business website?
Yes, for most small businesses. It's reliable, it works well on mobile and you can update it yourself. It's what we build on for our clients and it also looks incredibly high end across all devices!
Do I need a custom website?
Only if you need complex features, like bespoke booking systems or large online shops with integrations. Most service businesses don't.
Can I update a Wix website myself?
Yes. That's one of the biggest reasons we recommend it. Changing text, photos and prices takes minutes, and we'll show you how.
What does a Tartan Social website cost?
Our Wix websites start from £999. Every site is designed and built for you, mobile-friendly and easy for you to update.
Ready for a website that actually brings in work?
We're a multi-award-winning social media and website agency, founded in Glasgow, with 8 years' experience helping small businesses get seen.
Get in touch with Tartan Social and we'll tell you exactly what your business needs. Nothing more, nothing less.
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