How much should a website cost in 2026? An honest breakdown
Anywhere from a few hundred to six figures — which is a useless answer. Here's what actually drives website cost, so you can budget without getting fleeced.
'How much for a website?' is like asking 'how much for a building?'. A shed and a hospital are both buildings. So instead of a made-up number, here's what actually moves the price — so you can budget sensibly.
Where the money actually goes
What pushes cost up (or down)
- Number of pages + templates — more unique layouts, more design and build.
- Custom vs. off-the-shelf — bespoke design and features cost more than a theme.
- Functionality — e-commerce, booking, logins and integrations add real work.
- Content — who writes the words and sources the images: you or us?
The real question isn't price — it's return
A £1,000 site that brings no enquiries is expensive. A well-built site that wins you one extra client a month has paid for itself many times over. Judge the investment by what it earns, not just what it costs — a bit like build vs. buy for software.
Want a straight, no-surprises quote?
Tell us what you need and we'll give you an honest range and what drives it — no padded estimates, no mystery.
Get a quote →Frequently asked questions
Why do website quotes vary so much?
Because 'a website' covers everything from a one-page brochure to a custom platform. Price is driven by the number of unique designs, whether it's bespoke or a theme, the functionality (shop, bookings, logins) and who creates the content.
Is a cheap website a false economy?
Often, yes. A bargain site that's slow, generic and brings no enquiries costs you more in lost business than it saved. Judge a website by what it earns, not just the sticker price.
What's the biggest cost driver?
Usually custom design and functionality. A themed brochure site is far cheaper than a bespoke design with e-commerce, bookings or integrations — because those add real design and development work.
Do you offer payment in stages?
Yes — we typically break projects into stages so cost is spread and you see working results along the way, rather than paying everything up front for a big-bang reveal.