How Much Does a Website Cost in 2025?
Real UK pricing from Swindon, Oxford, Bristol, Bath, Reading & surrounding areas
Quick Answer
- Basic website (5-10 pages): £1,000 - £3,500
- Professional business site: £2,500 - £6,000
- E-commerce website: £3,000 - £15,000+
- Custom web application: £10,000 - £50,000+
Based on quotes from 50+ agencies across Swindon, Oxford, Bristol, Bath, and Reading
Understanding Web Design Pricing
After 13 years in web design and seeing hundreds of projects, I can tell you that web design pricing is confusing by design. Some agencies quote £500 for a "professional website" while others charge £10,000+ for what looks like the same thing.
The difference isn't always obvious from the outside, but it's there. Let me break down exactly what you're paying for and how to spot whether you're getting fair value or being ripped off.
Website Cost Breakdown by Type
| Website Type | Typical Cost | Timeline | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Template Website | £500 - £1,500 | 1-2 weeks | Startups, testing ideas, very tight budgets |
| Basic Business Site | £1,000 - £3,500 | 2-4 weeks | Local businesses, service providers, portfolios |
| Professional Business Site | £2,500 - £6,000 | 4-8 weeks | Established businesses, professional services, B2B |
| E-commerce Site | £3,000 - £15,000 | 6-12 weeks | Online retailers, product businesses |
| Custom Web Application | £10,000 - £50,000+ | 3-6 months | SaaS, booking systems, complex functionality |
Regional Price Differences
Where your web designer is based significantly affects pricing. Here's what we've found across the region:
Swindon →
£1,500 - £3,500
Most affordable in the region. Good mix of quality and value. Growing digital sector.
Oxford →
£2,500 - £7,000
Premium pricing reflects university city status. High-quality work but expect to pay more.
Bristol →
£2,500 - £6,000
Tech hub pricing. Excellent agencies but competitive rates due to high supply.
Bath →
£2,000 - £5,500
Heritage city premium. Strong design focus. Good for creative/tourism businesses.
Reading →
£2,000 - £5,000
Corporate focus. Thames Valley rates. Strong for B2B and tech companies.
Chippenham →
£1,000 - £3,000
Market town rates. Personalized service from smaller agencies. Best value for money.
⚠️ Real Story: The £12,000 Mistake
A friend of mine paid £12,000 to a web designer for an e-commerce site. Two years later, they still hadn't delivered. Endless excuses, missed deadlines, "technical difficulties." The site never went live.
I rebuilt the exact site they promised in 3 months for £2,000. It's been running successfully for years now, processing thousands of orders per month.
The lesson? High price doesn't guarantee quality. Low price doesn't mean poor work. You need to know how to evaluate properly.
Learn How to Avoid This →What Should Be Included in Your Quote?
A professional web design quote should always include:
🚩 Pricing Red Flags to Watch For
Professional work takes time. £500 means template + minimal customization. Fine if that's all you need, but don't expect custom design.
Never pay everything upfront. Standard is 30-50% deposit, remainder on milestones. 100% upfront = high risk of getting ghosted.
You should own your website. Monthly fees for hosting/support are fine, but the actual site should be yours to take elsewhere if needed.
Vague timelines mean vague work ethic. Good agencies give you a detailed timeline with milestones. Red flag if they can't commit.
Every professional web designer has a portfolio. No exceptions. If they can't show you previous work, run.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a basic website cost in the UK?
A basic 5-10 page business website in the UK typically costs £1,000-£3,500. This includes responsive design, basic SEO, contact forms, and a simple content management system like WordPress. Prices vary by region and agency experience.
Why do some web designers charge £500 while others charge £10,000?
The price difference reflects experience, quality, and scope. £500 websites are often template-based with minimal customization, no strategy, and limited support. £10,000+ websites include custom design, advanced functionality, ongoing support, strategic planning, professional project management, and usually deliver significantly better ROI.
What's included in a typical web design quote?
A professional web design quote should include: custom design mockups, responsive development, CMS setup (usually WordPress), basic SEO optimization, contact forms, SSL certificate, initial content upload, testing across browsers/devices, launch support, and typically 30-90 days of post-launch bug fixes and support.
Should I pay upfront or in milestones for web design?
Most reputable agencies work on milestone payments: 30-50% deposit to start, 30-40% on design approval or midpoint, and 20-30% on completion. This protects both parties. Avoid paying 100% upfront or agencies demanding full payment before showing any work - this is a major red flag.
How much does an e-commerce website cost?
E-commerce websites typically cost £3,000-£15,000 depending on complexity. Basic Shopify stores start around £3,000, custom WooCommerce sites run £5,000-£10,000, and complex multi-vendor or bespoke e-commerce platforms can exceed £15,000. Factor in payment gateway setup, product photography, and ongoing support costs.
Are Swindon web designers cheaper than London?
Yes, significantly. London agencies typically charge £5,000-£20,000 for projects that cost £2,000-£6,000 in Swindon, Oxford, or Bristol. The quality difference is minimal - you're mostly paying for London office overheads. Regional agencies offer excellent value without compromising on quality.
Find the Right Specialist
Looking for specific expertise? Browse our curated lists of specialist web designers:
WordPress Developers
Custom WordPress development typically costs £1,000-£5,000. View specialist WordPress agencies →
E-commerce Specialists
E-commerce sites range from £3,000-£15,000. Browse Shopify, WooCommerce & Magento experts →
Top 10 in Oxford
See our independent rankings of the best Oxford web designers with detailed reviews →
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