How much does a website for a trades business cost?
Prices for a small business website in the UK vary a lot, from free website builders to agency projects costing thousands. Here is what usually affects the price, what keeps costing money afterwards, and what to check before you pay.
By Oscar Ayton, Pillion Web. Published 31 October 2026.
Typical price ranges
These are rough ranges from published UK guides, not quotes. Prices vary by who builds it, how many pages you need and what is included.
- Do it yourself on a website builder such as Wix or Squarespace: a monthly subscription, plus your own time.
- A freelancer building a five-page brochure site: often around £1,500 to £3,000, according to one UK pricing guide.
- An agency for a similar site: usually more, often several thousand pounds.
My own price for a new trades website of up to 5 pages, with a quote form built in, is £1,095, with no VAT charged. See exactly what is included.
What affects the price
- Number of pages. Most trades firms need a home page, services, an about page, reviews and contact.
- Who writes the words. Writing the copy takes time. Check whether it is included.
- Photos. Your own photos of real jobs work better than stock images and cost nothing.
- Extras such as online booking, a quote form that texts you, or showing your Google reviews.
- Rounds of changes. Know how many are included before you start.
Costs that carry on after launch
- Domain name: usually a few pounds to around £15 a year for a .co.uk.
- Hosting: from free to tens of pounds a month, depending on how the site is built.
- Maintenance: optional plans from web designers commonly range from around £30 to £150 a month, according to UK maintenance guides. Check what you get for the money.
What to check before you pay anyone
- Is the price fixed and in writing? Avoid open-ended hourly work unless you are happy with it.
- Who owns the website and the domain? The domain should be registered in your name, and you should be able to move the site if you change supplier.
- Does it work well on a phone? Most customers will see it on a phone first.
- Where do enquiries go? Test the contact form before you sign off.
- What happens if you stop paying a monthly fee? Make sure the site keeps working, or that you know what stops.
- Is there a lock-in? Look for the notice period on any monthly plan.
Do you need a new website at all?
Not always. If your current site looks reasonable on a phone, a working quote form and correct details on Google can make more difference than a rebuild. See the missed enquiries checklist.
Want a second pair of eyes?
Send me your business name and website and I will tell you what I would fix, with a fixed price for each. Free, no obligation. Ask for a quote or email oscar@pillionweb.co.uk.