If you’ve been thinking about getting a website for your North East business, one of the first questions you’ve probably asked is: how much is this actually going to cost me?
It’s a fair question — and one that’s frustratingly hard to get a straight answer to online. You’ll find prices ranging from £50 to £50,000 depending on who you ask. So let’s cut through the noise and give you a realistic picture of what a website actually costs in 2026, and what you should expect to get for your money.
The Honest Answer: It Depends on What You Need
There’s no single answer because websites aren’t one-size-fits-all. A one-page site for a sole trader is a very different job to a ten-page website with a blog, online booking, and ecommerce. But here’s a breakdown of the most common options and what they typically cost.
Option 1: Do It Yourself — £0 to £20/month
Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress.com let you build your own website without any technical knowledge. The basic plans are free or very cheap.
The catch: It takes time — a lot of it. You’ll spend hours learning the platform, designing the layout, writing the content, and figuring out why things don’t look quite right. And the end result often looks like a DIY website, which can undermine the professional impression you’re trying to make.
If you’re just starting out and genuinely have no budget at all, this is a valid starting point. But for most established businesses, the time cost isn’t worth it.
Option 2: A Freelance Web Designer — £250 to £1,000+
Hiring a local freelance web designer is the sweet spot for most small North East businesses. You get a professional result without paying agency prices, and you’re dealing with a real person who understands your local market.
Here’s what you can typically expect at different price points:
£249 — Essential/Starter website A clean, professional one-page site covering who you are, what you do, and how to get in touch. Perfect for sole traders, new businesses, or anyone who just needs a credible online presence quickly.
£399 — Business website A multi-page site (typically up to five pages) with proper navigation, Google Maps integration, contact forms, and basic SEO so Google knows you exist. This is the most popular option for established small businesses.
£649 — Growth website A larger site with up to ten pages, advanced SEO setup, Google Analytics, and optional blog — ideal for businesses that are serious about being found online and growing their customer base.
£899 — Ecommerce website A full online shop with product listings, stock management, and secure payment processing. Essential if you want to sell products directly from your website.
Option 3: A Web Design Agency — £2,000 to £10,000+
Agencies have larger teams, more overheads, and typically work with bigger businesses. If you’re a small local business, you’ll often find yourself at the bottom of their priority list — and paying a premium for the privilege.
For most North East small businesses, an agency is overkill. A good local freelancer will deliver the same quality of website at a fraction of the price, and you’ll actually get to speak to the person doing the work.
Don’t Forget the Ongoing Costs
A website isn’t just a one-off purchase — there are ongoing costs to be aware of:
Domain name — typically £10–£15 per year for a .co.uk address. Some designers include this in their package.
Hosting — your website needs to live somewhere. Expect to pay £5–£20 per month depending on the quality of the hosting.
Maintenance — WordPress websites need regular updates to stay secure and running properly. If your designer offers a monthly care plan, this is usually well worth paying for. Expect to pay £35–£150 per month depending on the level of support included.
SSL certificate — the padlock in the browser bar that tells visitors your site is secure. Most good designers include this as standard.
A good web designer will be upfront about all of these costs from the start. If someone quotes you a headline price but doesn’t mention ongoing costs, make sure you ask.
What About Cheap Websites on Fiverr or Overseas?
You’ll find people offering websites for £50 or £100 on platforms like Fiverr. Sometimes these are fine. Often they’re built using a generic template, with little thought given to your specific business, your local area, or how Google will find you.
The other risk with overseas designers is communication — time zones, language barriers, and the fact that they don’t understand the North East market or what your local customers are looking for.
A local designer who knows Washington, Sunderland, and the wider North East will build something that actually works for your audience.
So What Should You Pay?
For most small businesses across the North East, a budget of £399–£649 for the initial build, plus £35–£65 per month for ongoing care, will get you a professional, well-built website that works hard for your business.
That’s less than most people spend on their phone contract — for something that’s available to your customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you’d like a no-obligation quote for your North East business, get in touch and I’ll recommend the right option for your budget and your goals.