How Much Does a Simple Website Cost? (It’s Not That Simple)

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“How much would a simple website cost?” (And why that’s not a simple question)

It’s one of the most common questions I get asked – usually within the first few minutes of a conversation: “How much would a simple website cost?”

It sounds like a straightforward question. And I completely understand why people ask it. You want to get a ballpark figure. You want to know if it’s worth continuing the conversation. You want to make sure you’re not walking into a sales pitch for something far more elaborate (and expensive) than you actually need.

But here’s the honest truth: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer – and that question is much harder to answer than it looks.

The “Simple Website” myth

When someone says “just a simple website,” they might mean:

A one-page landing site with basic info
A five-page brochure site with service details
A fully responsive site with a blog, booking system and email integration
…or something else entirely.

What’s “simple” to one business might be a whole project to another. And before I can give an honest quote, I need to understand:

What do you need the website to do?
Who is it for?
What’s the main goal – to inform, convert, book, sell, impress?
Do you already have branding, copy and images?
Is this your first site, or are we replacing something?

Without this context, quoting a price is like a builder giving you a quote to “do an extension” before seeing your house.

Why it feels awkward to talk budget

Here’s something else I’ve noticed: many clients don’t want to tell me their budget upfront.

There’s often a sense of caution – like if they say they have £2,000 to spend, I’ll somehow inflate the job to match. I get that. No one wants to feel taken advantage of.

But in reality, knowing your budget helps me help you. It’s not about maxing it out – it’s about being realistic with what’s possible.

If you only have £500 to spend, that’s ok. We just need to be honest about what can be done at that level (and what might need to wait). If you have £2,000, I can suggest more strategic elements that will help your business grow.

“But Wix only costs £10 a month…”

Yes – and you can build your own website on Wix or Squarespace or Shopify. In the same way that you can paint your own living room, fix your own brakes or build your own garden shed.

But a website isn’t just a set of pages – it’s a tool for your business.

When you use a DIY platform:

You have to write the copy.
You have to choose the layout.
You have to make branding decisions.
You have to figure out user experience and calls to action.
You have to connect all the techy bits.
You have to know what’s missing – which is often the biggest problem.

It might only cost £10/month, but it costs your time, energy, clarity, and often results.

Alright, I’ll continue the house extension analogy

Let’s say you want to add an extension to your home. You could hire a builder, or you could try and do it yourself.

If you go DIY:

It will likely take much longer.
It may not meet building standards.
It might need to be redone by a professional later.
It could cost more overall – in stress, time and materials.

The same applies to your website.

Hiring a professional isn’t just about making it “look nice.” It’s about making it work – strategically, visually, functionally.

So… how much does a website cost?

The answer is: it depends. But I promise I’ll never sell you something you don’t need.

If you’re not sure where to start, just start a conversation. Tell me what you’re trying to achieve. I’ll ask a few questions, listen carefully and give you a fair, realistic idea of what’s possible.

And if you’re on a very tight budget, I’ll be honest about what you can DIY (and where you should be cautious).

Because at the end of the day, your website isn’t just an expense – it’s an investment in the future of your business. And done right, it should more than pay for itself.