An investment in your business, not an expense
A great website doesn't cost money - it makes money. Here's how I approach pricing, and why the cheapest option is rarely the best value.
The real cost of a cheap website
You can get a website built for £200. You can also get a suit for £30. Both technically do the job - but neither will impress anyone who matters.
Budget websites share the same problems: they're built on bloated page builders that load in 4-6 seconds, they use generic templates that look like every other business in your area, and they have zero SEO foundation. Google notices all of this. Your potential customers notice too - they just leave and click the next result.
I've rebuilt dozens of websites for businesses who "saved money" the first time around. The pattern is always the same: they paid £200-500 for a site that generated no enquiries, sat on it for a year hoping things would improve, then came to me having wasted both the money and twelve months of potential business.
What a premium website actually delivers
Sub-second load times
I build with Astro, SvelteKit, and modern static-first frameworks. Your site loads in under a second - not the 4-6 seconds typical of WordPress themes and page builders. Google rewards fast sites with higher rankings, and visitors stay longer.
SEO that actually works
Every page is built with semantic HTML, proper heading hierarchy, schema markup, and optimised meta data. I don't bolt SEO on as an afterthought - it's in the architecture from day one. This is why my clients rank above competitors with older, more established domains.
Design that builds trust
Your website is often the first impression a potential customer has of your business. A custom design that reflects your brand, loads instantly, and works flawlessly on every device tells visitors you're professional and trustworthy. A template site tells them you didn't care enough to invest.
Code you own
Unlike page builders that lock you into monthly subscriptions, I build sites you fully own. No vendor lock-in, no surprise price increases, no platform shutdowns. Your website is an asset on your balance sheet, not a recurring liability.
Conversion-focused structure
Every page is designed to guide visitors toward taking action - whether that's calling you, filling in a form, or making a purchase. Clear calls to action, strategic content placement, and friction-free user experience turn traffic into revenue.
Ongoing performance
I monitor Core Web Vitals, search rankings, and site health after launch. Your website isn't a project that ends - it's a tool that keeps working for your business, and I make sure it stays sharp.
Indicative pricing
Every project is different, so I quote based on your specific requirements. Here's a rough guide to give you an idea of investment levels:
Brochure website
£795+
A professionally designed, SEO-optimised website for businesses that need a strong online presence. Typically 5-10 pages with contact forms, image galleries, and content management.
- Custom design
- Mobile responsive
- SEO foundations
- Contact forms
- Analytics setup
- Content training
E-commerce / advanced site
£1,495+
Online stores, membership sites, or feature-rich websites with custom functionality. Built on modern platforms for performance and scalability.
- Everything in Brochure
- E-commerce / booking
- Custom functionality
- Payment integration
- Advanced SEO
- Performance optimisation
Web application
£2,495+
Custom web applications, dashboards, APIs, and complex platforms. Full-stack development with modern frameworks and cloud infrastructure.
- Everything in Advanced
- Custom application logic
- API development
- Database design
- Cloud deployment
- Ongoing support plan
£300 website vs £795 website: what's the difference?
| Budget site (£200-500) | Professional site (£795+) | |
|---|---|---|
| Load time | 4-6 seconds | Under 1 second |
| Google ranking | Page 2-3 (if indexed) | Page 1 for local terms |
| Design | Generic template | Custom to your brand |
| Mobile experience | Passable | Optimised and tested |
| SEO | None or basic | Technical + local + content |
| Ownership | Platform lock-in | You own the code |
| Lifespan | 1-2 years | 5+ years with maintenance |
| Lead generation | Minimal | Built for conversion |
| Support | Email if lucky | Direct ongoing relationship |
Common questions
Why are your prices higher than other web designers in the area?
Most low-cost web designers use page builders like Wix or basic WordPress templates. These produce generic sites that load slowly, rank poorly on Google, and need replacing within a year or two. I build custom websites using modern frameworks like Astro and SvelteKit, optimised for performance and search engines from day one. You're investing in a website that actively generates business - not just an online brochure.
What's included in the price?
Everything you need for a website that works: custom design, responsive development, SEO optimisation, performance tuning, accessibility compliance, analytics setup, and training so you can manage your own content. I don't charge extra for mobile responsiveness or basic SEO - these are standard, not add-ons.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes. For larger projects, I offer staged payments tied to project milestones - typically a deposit, a mid-project payment, and a final payment on launch. This spreads the cost while keeping the project moving forward.
How long does a project typically take?
A brochure website typically takes 4-6 weeks from kickoff to launch. More complex projects like e-commerce sites or web applications take 8-12 weeks. I'll give you a clear timeline before we start, and I stick to it.
What if I already have a cheap website that isn't working?
This is one of the most common situations I deal with. Businesses invest in a budget website, find it doesn't generate enquiries or rank on Google, and then need to start again. I can audit your current site for free and show you exactly what's holding it back - often the rebuild pays for itself within months through increased leads.
Do you offer ongoing support after launch?
Yes. I offer maintenance plans that cover security updates, performance monitoring, content changes, and technical support. Your website is a long-term asset and it needs looking after. I'm always available when you need changes or have questions.
Ready to invest in a website that works?
Let's talk about your business, your goals, and how a professional website can help you get there. No hard sell - just an honest conversation about what you need.