When it comes to creating a website, one of the first questions you may well be asking is "How much does a website cost?"
And the answer could well play a part in the decision on whether you go for it or not.
I'm sure you've heard on the grapevine that they may cost you £100's if not £1000’s and as a small business owner that may have put you off from getting started. Preferring instead to stick to your free Facebook and Instagram pages.
So, I thought I’d break it down for you, so you're aware of the bare bones costs ...
I love WordPress
When it comes to creating a website, my personal preference is WordPress.com. I love it because you can start small and basic, and then grow your website alongside your business using themes (to make it look great), plugins, and a bit of code if needed, just like adding apps to your phone.
According to a blog post from WordPress :
As of April 17, 2025, 43.4% of all websites on the internet run on WordPress. For context, the next most popular platforms are Shopify (4.8%), Wix (3.7%), Squarespace (2.3%), Joomla (1.5%), and Drupal (0.8%). A third of all online shops run on WooCommerce, which is powered by WordPress.
So, it’s safe to say WordPress is trusted by a lot of people, including me and my clients!
The WordPress.com platform itself is free (hooray, I hear you say!). The way I use it - both for my own sites and for my clients - is by purchasing a domain name (that’s the www.???.com bit) and hosting with a reliable provider.
Hosting
I recommend SiteGround* because they’re fast, the customer service is fab, and I trust them enough to be a reseller myself.
Once you’ve got your domain and hosting sorted, you can install WordPress with a simple setup wizard inside your SiteGround control panel. After that, you’ll choose a Theme, which is basically a collection of templates and stylesheets that control how your website looks. There are hundreds to choose from, both free and paid.
Divi by Elegant Themes
Personally, I love the Divi* theme by Elegant Themes - and I use it on the majority of my client websites.
It’s a premium WordPress theme that’s easy to use, looks professional, and gives you total design flexibility.
Divi is a paid-for theme and costs $89 per year or $249 as a one-off payment for lifetime access. They also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you try it and it’s not for you, you can get a full refund.
I’m happy to install Divi for you if we work together, or I can walk you through how to use it if you’re going DIY. It’s the tool I wish I’d had when I first started out!
The Initial Cost of Setting up a WordPress Website
| Item | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| WordPress.com | £0.00 |
| Your domain (per year) | £15.00 |
| Hosting (first year with me) | £60.00 |
| Subtotal | £75.00 |
| Divi Theme* (optional — free themes also available**) | £82.44 |
| Plugins (free or premium available) | £0.00 |
Total Starting Cost: £157.44
So, for less than £200 for the initial cost, you can get yourself up and running with a WordPress website using a premium theme like Divi. That’s not so bad, is it?
Of course, you’ll need to spend a little time learning how to use WordPress and your chosen theme - but with a bit of patience, it’s totally doable.
I started out knowing absolutely nothing about websites, and only learned after paying for sites I wasn’t happy with. If I can do it, you can too.
That said, if you’d rather skip the tech and save yourself hours of time (and possibly a few headaches!), you can always hire a web designer like me to create the website for you.
Depending on how quickly you want to launch, this could be a more cost-effective option in the long run. You can focus on what you’re great at - and I’ll do what I’m great at for you.
My Starter Website packages start from £499. You can click here to see what’s included.
And if you're unsure which route is best for you, I’d be happy to chat it over, no pressure, no hard sell. Just book a free Get To Know You below, and we’ll figure it out together.
>> Click here to book a Get To Know You Call
You'll leave with clarity either way, even if you don’t work with me.
Alternatives to WordPress
Now, a WordPress website isn’t for everyone and that is totally fine! There are lots of other website builders out there, such as GoDaddy, Squarespace and Wix, and one of these could be the right match for you at this time.
Just keep in mind: while they often look cost-effective at first, many of the features you’ll need (like booking systems, blogs, or online shops) are add-ons, and those can quickly bump up the monthly cost. Always check what’s included and what’s extra.
What Do You Want Your Website To Do?
Once the basics are in place, you need to start to ask yourself exactly what you want your website to do for you.
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Do you just need a simple brochure site - a few pages about what you offer and how to get in touch?
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Do you want to add a blog to share tips, news, or stories? (Highly recommend this – blogs are brilliant for SEO and educating your visitors!)
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Or are you ready for more advanced features like an online shop, a booking system, or email marketing?
There are loads of possibilities - but don’t worry. You don’t have to build everything at once. Start with what you need now and grow it over time.
A Website That Grows With You
Your website shouldn’t be a “one and done” job. Like your business, it should evolve.
Don’t worry about getting it perfect right away, just get it live, then improve as you go. Once you’re clear on what you need your website to do, you can either add the features yourself or hand them over to a web designer (ahem...) who can build it for you.
Added Features = Added Costs
Once your website is live, you might decide to add extra features to make it work harder for your business. This may include things like an online booking system, an online shop, email marketing tools, or a membership/course area.
Some of these have free versions, while others are paid monthly, yearly, or as one-off purchases. It’s always worth doing a bit of research before you commit so you know exactly what you’re getting (and paying for).
I’ve written a full guide covering the most common website add-ons, what they do, and how much they cost, so you can decide which ones you really need and when.
>> Read: What Features Might Add to the Cost of Your Website
Still With Me?
And that’s your answer to “how much does a website cost?” - give or take a few extras!
I hope I haven’t scared you off or fried your brain with the jargon. If you’ve got questions, I’d love to hear them. Please get in touch.
Until next time
Hugs
Sarah x
Website Costs Series
This post is part of my Website Costs Series - helping small business owners understand the real costs of creating and running a website so you can make the best decision for your budget.
In this series:
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How Much Does a Website Cost? – You’re here!
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Why Website Quotes Vary So Much – Understand why one quote might be £300 and another £3,000.
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What Features Might Add to the Cost of Your Website – Learn about add-ons like online booking, shops, and memberships.
*Updated 6th Aug 2025
*Disclaimer
If you click on some of the links, and you then make a purchase, I (Sarah Lynn) may receive compensation from the companies. This will not cost you anything. I only promote the products I have invested in myself and recommend based on my own opinion.
** includes VAT
