Many agencies and freelancers won’t give you a straight answer to the “how much does a website cost?” question without a hefty scoping document and a few rounds of vague “how long is a piece of string?” metaphors.
I’m a freelance web designer with over 15 years experience so the rates I suggest reflect that.
This post is here to cut through the fluff and give you real, honest estimates — based on the kind of projects most people actually need.
Updated for 2025
How much does a website cost in 2025?
You can expect to pay between £3,000 – £5,000 for a bespoke brochure site built on a CMS like WordPress.
That price can go up if your site requires:
- API integrations
- Advanced animations
- Custom functionality
- Ecommerce features
Can I build my website for free?
Technically, yes.
Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and even hosting companies like GoDaddy offer drag-and-drop site builders with free tiers.
So why would I pay someone if I can just do it myself?
That’s the thing — can you?
These builders pitch themselves as easy-to-use, but there’s still a learning curve. Most business owners don’t have the time (or want to take time away from running their business) to:
- Learn how to design a site that looks professional
- Make sure it works across devices
- Optimise it for Google
- Actually make it convert leads
Also: they’re not entirely free. You’ll still need to pay for hosting, domains, and “premium features” like removing ads or connecting your own email.
If you’re unsure where to begin, I put together a guide on finding web designers near you.
What are the different types of websites?
The kind of site you need usually falls into one of these categories:
- Static Site – A fast-loading site with fixed content, no CMS.
- CMS Site – Editable through an admin panel (like WordPress).
- eCommerce Site – Lets you sell products online.
- Intranet Site – Used internally by teams or organisations.
How do I know which one is right for me?
Here’s a quick guide:
| Need | Recommended Site Type |
|---|---|
| Just need a basic presence, no content updates | Static Site |
| Want to add/edit pages or blog posts yourself | CMS |
| Planning to sell products or services online | eCommerce |
| Internal-only tool or dashboard | Intranet |
How much do different types of sites cost?
These are freelance rates — agency pricing will usually be 2–3x higher.
| Type of Website | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Static Websites | £1,250 – £5,000 |
| CMS Websites | £2,500 – £10,000 |
| eCommerce Websites | £4,000 – £25,000 |
Factors like the number of pages, animation complexity, integrations, and content population all affect the final price.
How long does it take to design a website?
It depends on the project scope and how smooth the feedback process is. As a rough guide:
| Type of Website | Estimated Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Static Websites | 2 – 4 weeks |
| CMS Websites | 4 – 8 weeks |
| eCommerce Websites | 8 – 24 weeks |
Quick, simple sites can go live in a couple of weeks. Larger, more complex builds — especially ecommerce or sites that go through multiple design iterations — can take longer.
Final thoughts
Hopefully this gives you a clearer idea of what to expect when budgeting for a website project.
If you’re thinking about hiring a freelance web designer and want a real-world quote, feel free to email me or get in touch here.
No “how long is a piece of string?” — just honest advice and clear pricing.