How Much Does a Small Business Website Cost in the UK?

Small business website cost in the UK varies widely depending on the scope, the platform and who builds it. A basic template build from a freelancer costs far less than a custom-designed site from a UK agency. Understanding what drives the price is the fastest way to budget accurately.

What drives small business website cost in the UK

Three variables explain most of the price difference between quotes: scope, design and platform. Scope means the number of pages and features. A five-page brochure site takes far less time than a twelve-page site with a booking system, a client portal or e-commerce functionality. Every page and every feature adds development hours.

Design work is separate from development. A template build uses an existing layout; a custom design is drawn from your brand brief, iterated and tested. Custom design costs more, but for businesses where the website is the primary sales channel, it is often worth the difference. For others, a well-configured template is entirely adequate.

Platform choice affects both the build cost and the long-run cost. WordPress is flexible and widely supported, but hosting, security updates and maintenance accumulate over time. A lighter static build has lower running costs but may need developer involvement for changes. Neither cost is always included in a build quote — check explicitly before signing.

Agency, freelancer or offshore studio

Published agency directories such as GoodFirms list UK web projects across a wide range, reflecting local agency day rates and the variety in project scope. A local UK agency brings face-to-face account management and easy escalation if something goes wrong. A freelancer is usually cheaper but has limited capacity, and cover during leave can be a practical problem on a live project.

An offshore studio — typically in the Philippines, Eastern Europe or South Asia — offers lower rates because of lower operating costs, not lower quality. The key question is not location; it is process. Does the studio have a clear brief, staging, review and handover workflow? A fixed-scope project run with discipline delivers reliably regardless of time zone. Our post on fixed-price website design covers what a transparent package should include and what to check before you commit.

How working with Fazed from the UK looks in practice

Fazed is based in Iligan City in the Philippines. Manila time is eight hours ahead of GMT (seven during British Summer Time), which leaves roughly a one-to-two-hour overlap in the UK morning before our working day ends at 5:00pm Philippine time. Outside that window, the project runs asynchronously: a brief, a staging link for your review, written updates and your feedback within 24 hours at each stage.

In practice, clients find that a structured asynchronous process suits a fixed-scope project well. You review staging when it suits your day; we build and respond overnight UK time. The decisions that genuinely need a live conversation — kick-off, staging review, go-live — fit into the morning overlap without requiring you outside your normal hours.

Our packages start from $499 USD. Check our 7-day website page for current pricing and what is included at each tier. We quote in USD only; the pound equivalent depends on the exchange rate at the time of invoice. Payment is by Wise or bank transfer, with a 50% deposit before work starts.

What you own once the project is done

On full payment, you own the domain, the site code and all content outright. There is no lock-in contract and no ongoing fee to us unless you choose a care plan. All credentials — hosting, CMS, domain registrar — transfer to you at handover, so if you move to a different studio later, everything moves with you.

From a UK tax standpoint, payments to an overseas supplier may have VAT implications depending on your registration status. That determination sits with your accountant or HMRC's guidance on the B2B reverse charge — not with us. We provide an invoice from our Philippine studio that confirms the service, the amount and the supplier details for your records.

Frequently asked questions

Do I pay UK VAT on a website built in the Philippines? If you are VAT-registered, the reverse charge mechanism typically applies to services bought from overseas suppliers. The correct treatment for your business depends on your circumstances — speak to your accountant or check HMRC's guidance on the B2B reverse charge rule.

How long does the build take? Our standard packages launch in seven business days from the day your content arrives, provided you give feedback within 24 hours at each review stage. If we miss the deadline on our side, you receive 20% off the project fee. Custom builds are scoped separately and take longer.

Can I get a fixed price with no surprise extras? Yes. Our packages are fixed-price: the scope is agreed upfront, and any change outside it is quoted before we build it. Revision rounds are included — two on Starter, three on Growth, and unlimited on Pro. Nothing is added to your invoice without your approval.

To compare scope and see what each package covers, start with our 7-day website page, where the tiers, timelines and what is included are all set out clearly.