Why Website Costs Vary So Much
If you've been shopping around for a new website, you've probably seen quotes ranging from a few hundred pounds to tens of thousands. The difference isn't arbitrary—it comes down to what you're actually getting.
A £500 website might use a template with minimal customization. A £25,000 website is built from scratch, optimized for your specific business needs, and designed to grow with you.
Here's what you're really paying for when you invest in a professional website.
What Goes Into Professional Website Pricing?
1. Design & User Experience
Good design isn't just about looking pretty. It's about:
- Creating a clear user journey that converts visitors into customers
- Building trust through professional presentation
- Ensuring your site works beautifully on every device
- Making your brand memorable and distinctive
Custom design work typically accounts for 30-40% of a website project. This includes research into your industry, user personas, wireframing, and multiple design iterations.
2. Development & Functionality
The technical build is where your website comes to life:
- Clean, maintainable code that loads fast
- Content management system (CMS) for easy updates
- Integration with your existing tools (CRM, email, analytics)
- Custom features specific to your business needs
- Security measures and performance optimization
Development work usually takes 40-50% of the project budget. The more custom functionality you need, the higher this portion becomes.
3. Content Strategy & SEO
A beautiful website that no one can find is wasted money. Professional sites include:
- SEO-optimized structure and content
- Fast loading times (critical for Google rankings)
- Mobile-first design (Google's preference)
- Proper meta tags, schema markup, and sitemaps
- Accessibility features (WCAG compliance)
4. Testing & Quality Assurance
Before launch, a professional website goes through rigorous testing:
- Cross-browser compatibility (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge)
- Mobile device testing (phones, tablets, various screen sizes)
- Performance testing (speed, load times)
- Security audits
- Accessibility checks
Typical Website Cost Ranges in 2026
Basic Business Website: £3,000 - £8,000
What you get:
- 5-10 pages (Home, About, Services, Portfolio, Contact)
- Template-based design with customization
- Basic CMS for content updates
- Contact forms and basic integrations
- Mobile-responsive design
- Basic SEO setup
Best for: Small businesses, freelancers, local service providers who need a professional online presence but don't require complex functionality.
Custom Business Website: £8,000 - £25,000
What you get:
- Fully custom design built for your brand
- 10-20+ pages with custom layouts
- Advanced CMS with custom content types
- Client portal or member areas
- Integration with multiple third-party services
- Advanced SEO and performance optimization
- Ongoing support and maintenance options
Best for: SaaS companies, service firms, agencies, and businesses that need a website that supports growth and complex workflows.
E-commerce Website: £15,000 - £50,000+
What you get:
- Everything in a custom website, plus:
- Product catalog and inventory management
- Shopping cart and checkout system
- Payment gateway integration
- Order management system
- Customer accounts and order history
- Shipping calculations and integrations
Best for: Businesses selling products online, whether physical goods or digital products.
Hidden Costs to Watch Out For
When comparing quotes, make sure you understand what's included:
- Hosting: £10-50/month for basic sites, £100-500/month for high-traffic sites
- Domain: £10-20/year
- SSL Certificate: Usually included with hosting
- Third-party services: Email marketing tools, analytics, CRM integrations
- Content creation: Copywriting, photography, video production
- Ongoing maintenance: Updates, security patches, backups
A transparent developer will discuss these upfront, not surprise you later.
Why "Cheap" Websites Cost More in the Long Run
That £500 website might seem like a bargain, but consider:
- Poor performance: Slow sites lose 40% of visitors after 3 seconds
- Security vulnerabilities: Outdated code is a hacker's dream
- No SEO foundation: You'll pay more later to fix what wasn't built right
- Limited scalability: When you need to grow, you'll rebuild from scratch
- Hidden maintenance costs: Cheap sites break more often
Investing in a professional website from the start saves money, time, and headaches down the road.
What to Look for in a Web Developer
When evaluating developers, ask about:
- Portfolio: Do their sites look professional and perform well?
- Process: How do they handle feedback and revisions?
- Timeline: Can they deliver in your timeframe?
- Support: What happens after launch?
- Transparency: Are costs and timelines clear from the start?
Getting the Most Value From Your Website Investment
To maximize your website's ROI:
- Start with clear goals: What do you want the site to achieve?
- Invest in quality: A well-built site pays for itself through better conversions
- Plan for growth: Build something that can scale with your business
- Budget for maintenance: Websites need updates, just like any business tool
Ready to Build Your Professional Website?
At JGDD, we specialize in custom websites for SaaS and service firms. Our typical engagements range from £8,000 to £25,000+ with delivery in 2-6 weeks.
We believe in:
- Transparent pricing: No surprises, clear scope from day one
- Fast delivery: Structured process that gets you live quickly
- Production quality: Performance, SEO, and accessibility built in
- Client visibility: Portal included so you can track progress in real-time
If you're ready to invest in a website that drives real business results, let's talk. Book a free 30-minute strategy call to discuss your project.