How much does it cost to commission a website designer?

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Planning your first business website can feel like a big step. You want it to look professional, load fast, and bring in enquiries without draining your budget. So, how much does it cost to hire a website designer in the UK, and what are you really paying for? In this guide, you will find clear price ranges, the key factors that affect cost, what to watch out for, and how a pay-monthly model can make things simpler and safer for small businesses. The short answer, typical UK price ranges If you are comparing quotes, here is a realistic overview of what UK businesses often pay: One page or simple brochure site: £500 to £1,500 as a one-off project, often for a basic template site with light branding. Small business site, 4 to 8 pages: £1,200 to £4,000 for a bespoke design with core pages, contact forms, and basic on-page SEO. Larger brochure site, 10 to 20 pages: £3,000 to £8,000, usually with more custom design, copy support, and integrations. E-commerce site: £3,500 to £15,000 plus, depending on product range, payment gateways, shipping logic, and custom features. Ongoing care plans: £40 to £250 per month for hosting, updates, backups, and support. Those are ballpark figures, and they vary by experience, scope, and service level. If you are asking how much it costs to hire a designer to build a website, or how much web designers charge UK, you will see that the range is wide because the work can be very different from one project to the next. What affects the price of a website? Several factors push a quote up or down. Knowing these will help you compare proposals fairly: Scope and page count. More pages and features mean more design and build time. E commerce complexity. Product variations, subscriptions, and custom checkout rules add development time. Content readiness. If you provide final copy and images, you save time. If you need help writing and sourcing images, that adds value and cost. Integrations. Booking systems, CRM forms, email marketing, or payment gateways can add setup and testing time. Branding needs. If you need a new logo and brand guidelines, that is extra design work, but it sets a strong foundation. SEO foundations. Technical setup, site structure, and on-page optimisation take time but pay off in visibility. Timescales. Rush jobs often cost more, so that the work can be prioritised. One-off projects vs pay monthly websites A traditional project asks for a deposit, then a balance on completion. This suits some businesses, but it creates a high upfront cost and can leave you with a site that does not evolve. A pay monthly model spreads the cost and keeps your site improving. With Savvy Design, you get: A bespoke site designed around your business goals. Hosting, maintenance, and ongoing updates included. Flexible content changes as your business grows. Predictable monthly costs to help with cash flow. For many startups and local trades, a monthly plan is the simplest way to get live fast, stay secure, and keep refining without surprise bills. What do you actually get for your money? A good web design package should cover more than a homepage. Expect: Discovery and planning to understand your customers and goals. Design that fits your brand, is mobile-friendly, and easy to use. Build with clean code, fast-loading pages, and sensible structure. Privacy basics such as cookie notice and GDPR friendly forms. On-page SEO setup, titles, meta descriptions, and image alt text. Training or ongoing support so you can request changes confidently. If you also need a logo and brand assets, ask about a combined website and branding package. It is often better value to do these together so your visuals match across your site, social profiles, and print. Hidden extras to watch out for When comparing quotes, check what is included and what is not: Hosting. Is it included, and is it fast and secure? Domain. Who buys it, and who owns it? Stock images. Are they licensed and included, or billed later? Revisions. How many rounds of changes are in scope? Page limits. Is the page count fixed, and what is the cost to add more? Support. What is the response time for updates and fixes? E-commerce fees. Payment gateways may add monthly or per-transaction costs. SEO and analytics. Are setup and tracking included? Clarity here prevents surprises and helps you judge value rather than just price. So, how much does it cost to hire a website designer? If you prefer a single figure, here is a simple way to think about it: Very small brochure site, starter budget: around £50 to £150 per month on a pay monthly plan, or £800 to £1,500 one off. Growing small business site: £75 to £250 per month with ongoing improvements, or £2,000 to £5,000 one off. E commerce or complex site: £150 to £400 per month depending on features, or £3,500 to £10,000 plus one off. These figures reflect typical UK market pricing for professional work with support. Lower prices exist, but they may involve theme-only builds with limited updates, slower hosting, or minimal aftercare. Why small businesses choose Savvy Design We specialise in pay-monthly websites for startups and local businesses in and around Cambridge. Clients like the simple pricing, fast turnaround, and the fact that updates are part of the service. You can focus on running your business while we keep your site secure, up to date, and aligned with your goals. Many clients mention how helpful it is to make changes quickly without a new quote every time. If you are looking for a trusted website designer with a predictable cost, our monthly package keeps things affordable, transparent, and risk-free with ongoing support included. When a local partner makes sense Working with a nearby designer makes communication easier, especially during the first build. If you are searching for a local website designer who understands small business needs, a quick chat can help you decide on the scope and timescales. In-person or video calls work well, and you get direct access to the person who designs and maintains your site. Quick tips for getting an accurate quote List the pages you need now, and the ones you expect to add later. Note any features such as bookings, payments, or member areas. Gather any logos, brand colours, and example sites you like. Decide who will write the copy and provide images. Set a realistic go-live date and any key milestones. This information helps your designer propose the right approach and a clear price. Ready to talk through your options? If you want a straight answer to how much do web designers charge UK for the site you have in mind, let us know your goals and we will map out a plan that fits your budget. We can walk you through a simple paymonthly route, or provide a fixed price if you prefer to pay upfront. Interested in a package that includes design, build, hosting, and ongoing updates, all for a predictable monthly cost? Explore our web design payment plan to see how it works in practice.  Summary A professional website is an investment. Costs vary by scope, features, and support, but you should expect transparent pricing, clear inclusions, and reliable aftercare. One-off projects can work, but a pay monthly website makes it easier to start strong and keep improving without large upfront fees. If you want friendly advice with no obligation, get in touch, and we will help you plan the right website for your business.