In 2026, a small business website usually costs about $1,000–$5,000 with a US freelancer, or $2,500–$13,000 with a US agency. In the UK, expect about £1,500–£3,000 with a freelancer, or £3,000–£5,000 with an agency, for a 5-page site. Online stores cost more. On top of that, budget for hosting and maintenance every month.
“How much does a website cost?” is the first question almost every client asks me. The honest answer is “it depends”, but that’s not helpful. So here are real 2026 price ranges for the US and UK, and what changes the price.
Website cost in the US (2026)
| Website type | Freelancer | Agency |
|---|---|---|
| Business / brochure site (5–10 pages) | $1,000–$5,000 | $2,500–$13,000 |
| Shopify store | $3,000–$13,000 | $6,000–$32,000 |
| DIY builder (you build it) | $0–$500 + your time | – |
US prices based on Project Cost Estimator’s 2026 data, rounded.
Website cost in the UK (2026)
| Website type | Freelancer | Agency |
|---|---|---|
| Brochure site (5 pages) | £1,500–£3,000 | £3,000–£5,000 |
| Custom business site (15+ pages) | £5,000–£15,000 | |
| Ecommerce site | £5,000–£20,000+ | |
| Extra page | £150–£400 | |
UK prices from Whito’s UK website cost research. Agencies usually add VAT on top.
Monthly costs people forget
The build is only part of the cost. Every website also needs:
- Hosting: about $5–$50 a month in the US, or £50–£300 a year in the UK
- Domain: around $10–$30 (£10–£30) a year
- Plugins and themes: often $200–$1,000 a year for premium tools
- Maintenance: updates, backups and fixes, usually $50–$500 a month in the US, or £50–£200 a month in the UK
- Shopify: the platform plan alone is $39–$399 a month, before apps
A cheap build with no maintenance often costs more later, when something breaks or the site gets hacked.
What makes a website cost more?
- Number of pages: more pages mean more design and writing time
- Custom design vs template: a unique design costs more than a tweaked theme
- Ecommerce: products, payments, shipping and stock management add a lot of work
- Copywriting: if the designer writes your content, the price goes up
- SEO setup: proper structure, schema, speed and keyword research take extra time, but pay off
- Integrations: booking systems, CRMs, live chat and custom forms
- Who builds it: agencies have higher overheads than freelancers
Freelancer or agency: which is better value?
Agencies often cost 1.5 to 2 times more than freelancers for a similar site. You pay for a team, account managers and office costs. That can make sense for very large projects.
For most small businesses, an experienced freelancer gives better value. You talk directly to the person building your site, decisions are faster and there’s no middle layer. The key is choosing someone with real reviews and a portfolio you like. I compare both in more detail in freelancer vs agency.
What about AI website builders?
AI builders can make a simple site for very little money. They’re fine for a quick test or a personal page. But if your website needs to rank on Google, show up in AI search and bring in customers, you’ll usually need a person to plan and build it properly. I wrote about this in Will AI replace web designers?
How to avoid overpaying
- Know what you need before asking for quotes: pages, features and goals.
- Get 2–3 quotes and compare what’s included, not just the price.
- Ask who owns the website and domain once it’s finished. It should be you.
- Check whether SEO basics, mobile design and speed are included.
- Ask what maintenance costs after launch.
Get a quote for your website
Every business is different, so I don’t list fixed prices. See my services and past work, then request your free quote, a clear price with no hidden extras.
FAQ
How much should a small business pay for a website in 2026?
Most small businesses pay $1,000–$5,000 in the US, or £1,500–£3,000 in the UK, for a professional 5–10 page site from a freelancer. Agencies charge more.
Why are UK and US website prices different?
Labor costs, VAT and market rates differ. US agencies tend to charge the most. UK prices for small brochure sites are fairly similar to US freelancer prices once converted.
Is a $500 website worth it?
It can work for a very simple page. At that price, expect a template with limited SEO, little custom design and no ongoing support.
How much does it cost to maintain a website?
Usually $50–$500 a month in the US, or £50–£200 a month in the UK, depending on how much support and updating you need.
Can a US or UK business hire a web designer from abroad?
Yes. Many businesses work with remote freelancers. Check reviews, portfolio, communication and time-zone overlap before you hire.