How Much Do Website Designers Cost? (Ultimate 2025 Guide)


How much do website designers cost in 2025? It’s the big question, if you’re a small business owner or a creative entrepreneur who is finally ready to invest in that website overhaul you’ve been putting off. And let’s be honest, website costs can feel a bit like a moving target. One minute you’re thinking, “I just need a simple website,” and the next you’re spiralling into a world of custom features, design options, and scratching your head, wondering how it all started adding up so quickly.

If you’re pressed for time (and honestly, who isn’t?), here’s a quick overview of what you can expect to pay when hiring a professional web designer:

For a simple small business website, you’re looking at somewhere between £1,000 and £3,000 if you hire a freelancer. If you’re thinking about working with an agency, that number jumps to around £2,500 to £7,000. Now, if you’re after something a bit fancier – maybe an e-commerce site to show off your products or a completely bespoke creation – those numbers can start from around £7000 and climb all the way up to £25,000+ depending on how custom you want to go.

For small business owners looking for a website solution that won’t feel overwhelming, I offer a streamlined, focused service through my Squarespace VIP Days offering. Some of my clients book just one day for a simple, elegant website, whereas others book 3 or 4 days for a more complex design. So, most of my websites fall in the £995 - £2500 mark or sometimes £3k+ for a large website build or those wanting to add on SEO services.

There’s a lot to dive into when it comes to website designer costs, so if you’re curious about why these prices are all over the place or how to choose the right designer for you, keep reading. We’ll break it all down, step by step. Let’s get into it!

How Much Do Website Designers Cost - Key Takeaways

Sometimes you just want the lowdown before you commit to reading a whole guide. So, here are the key takeaways when it comes to how much website designers cost:

  • Freelancers vs. Agencies: Freelancers typically charge less than agencies, but there’s more to the story than just the price. Freelancers offer flexibility, sure, but agencies tend to provide a broader range of services (SEO, branding, content, the works). So, if you're after the whole shebang, an agency might be worth the higher price tag.

  • Cost Breakdown: For a simple small business website, you’re looking at £1,000 to £3,000 with a freelancer. Want to work with an agency? Expect the price to range from £2,500 to £7,000 for similar work. Keep in mind, we’re talking brochure-style websites here, rather than online stores or large corporate websites.

  • Extra Services Add Up: Want SEO? Custom branding? Ongoing maintenance? Those extras can increase the cost – sometimes significantly. If you want your site to do more than just sit there looking pretty, these add-ons can be game-changers but also wallet-changers.

  • It’s a Long-Term Investment: Sure, it might seem like a hefty price upfront, but investing in a professional website is just that – an investment. In the long run, it pays for itself in terms of brand visibility, customer trust, and (let’s be honest) the sheer relief of not having to constantly tinker with a DIY site that never quite works right.

Quick Comparison: What Hiring a Website Designer Will Cost

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Below is a super simple, at-a-glance look at what hiring a website designer costs in 2025. Whether you’re thinking about going with a freelancer or an agency, this comparison table should give you a pretty good idea of what to expect based on the type of website you need:

So, whether you’re thinking “I just need a simple site for my business” or “I want a full-blown custom masterpiece with all the bells and whistles,” there’s something here for every budget. It’s all about deciding what fits your needs (and, let’s be honest, what your budget can handle).

Website Type Freelancer Cost (Approx.) Agency Cost (Approx.)
Basic Brochure Website £1,000 - £3,000 £2,500 - £7,000
Custom Business Website £3,000 - £7,000 £5,000 - £15,000
E-Commerce Website £5,000 - £10,000 £10,000 - £40,000
High-End Bespoke Website £10,000+ £20,000 - £50,000

Factors Affecting Website Design Costs

So, how much does it really cost to hire a website designer? Well, if you were hoping for a simple, one-size-fits-all answer, I’ve got some news for you – it’s more like asking how much a car costs. It all depends on what you want under the hood. There are quite a few factors that will drive up (or down) the cost of web design, and these will affect both the upfront cost and the long-term commitment. Let’s take a look at the main factors:

1. Website Complexity

When thinking about how much do website designers cost, one major factor that affects the price is the size of your website. The more pages you want, the more time and effort it takes to get everything just right—both on the front end (the part your visitors see) and the back end (where all the techy stuff happens).

Every page needs love and attention. From creating the layout, picking the right images to careful placement of calls to action, making sure everything runs smoothly across desktop, tablet, and mobile—there’s a lot more work than you might realise. And that’s just what your visitors see. Behind the scenes, there’s the task of optimising each one for SEO and connecting all the necessary integrations, like forms, contact pages, or any other fancy features you want. It all adds up.

So, if you’re planning a website with lots of pages—like an e-commerce store with product listings or a service-based site with loads of sections for your different offerings—expect the cost of hiring a web designer to reflect all that extra work. Each additional page means more time spent designing, coding, testing, and tweaking, so naturally, more pages will push the price up.

At the end of the day, more pages equals more time, and that’s where the investment comes in. But when you’re left with a website that looks stunning and works like a dream, it’s money well spent.

2. Experience of the Designer

Ah, the good old experience factor. If you’re hiring someone fresh out of college or a part-time freelancer building sites in their spare time, you might snag a bargain. But like most things in life, you get what you pay for. An experienced designer with a portfolio that makes your jaw drop is going to charge more. Why? Because they know exactly what they’re doing, and they’ve probably been through it all. I mean, all of it. The quirks, the technical nightmares, the “I accidentally deleted my whole website” calls at midnight.

And here’s the thing: when you’re asking, “how much should web design cost?”, you’re not just paying for a pretty design—you’re paying for expertise, peace of mind, and someone who can handle the unexpected. A seasoned designer will often charge more because they’ve been around the block enough times to know how to troubleshoot before things even go wrong.

And let’s talk about advanced tools like CSS and custom code. Not all designers are wizards with these more technical elements, but those who are? Well, they’re the ones who can take your site to the next level. CSS and coding skills allow a designer to go beyond cookie-cutter templates and really make your website stand out. Need custom plug-ins to give your site unique functionality? Or maybe you want animations or elements that set your brand apart? That’s where experience with advanced coding and tools comes into play—and naturally, that comes with a higher price tag.

So, when you're figuring out how much to pay for website design, you're also paying for someone who can deliver a more polished, custom product. A designer with real experience in CSS, coding, and even plug-ins can give your website a unique look and feel that a less experienced designer simply can't match. It’s that kind of expertise that turns a decent website into an amazing one, and yes, it’s going to cost more—but when your site stands out and functions flawlessly, it’s worth every penny.

3. Customisation and Branding

This is where the magic really happens—and where the cost of web design can start to increase. If you want your website to be more than just another off-the-shelf template, and truly reflect you and your brand, then customisation is key. But creating a bespoke site that stands out from the crowd requires a lot of work, which naturally affects how much web designers charge.

For starters, developing custom brand elements like your logo, colour palette, and overall aesthetic is no small feat. Designers invest time and creative energy into crafting a cohesive visual identity that represents your business down to the finest detail. This includes selecting the right colours to evoke your brand's emotions, and picking fonts that align with your business’s personality—whether you’re going for sleek and modern or quirky and bold. All these elements are tailored to make your site look and feel unique, which increases the average cost of website design.

Next comes sourcing and curating imagery. Designers can spend hours searching for just the right images that align with your visual identity and brand voice or curating your original photos so that your website flows beautifully. After all, a poorly chosen stock photo can ruin a first impression, so this part of the process can’t be rushed. If you’re looking for custom illustrations or graphics, these take even more time to develop. But all of this effort feeds into the final design, helping your website stand out and justifying how much you should pay for website design.

So, how much does a website cost in the UK when it’s fully customised? The more personalised your design and branding, the higher the cost of hiring a web designer will be. All these moving parts—colours, fonts, imagery, and custom brand elements—come together to create a cohesive and engaging user experience that can set your website apart from the competition. While the web designer costs for customisation can be higher, the end result is a site that’s not only functional but also a true reflection of your brand.

Ultimately, the average price of website design varies depending on how much customisation you need, but if you want a website that truly stands out, it’s an investment that’s well worth it.

4. Additional Services

Here’s where things start to get... interesting. Building a website isn’t just about slapping a few pages together and calling it a day. Oh no. Now we’re getting into the juicy extras—the stuff that can take your site from “meh” to “wow!” We’re talking SEO (so your website actually appears in Google searches instead of hiding in the shadows), content creation, and even ongoing maintenance to make sure your site stays in tip-top shape long after it goes live.

And let’s not forget one of the most important pieces of the puzzle: copywriting. Whether or not your website designer offers professional copywriting services can also affect how much website designers charge. A website with well-crafted, engaging copy that speaks directly to your audience can make all the difference between someone clicking away or sticking around to explore. And if you want your copy to shine—be it product descriptions, about pages, or blog posts—this can add to your overall budget. After all, not all designers are wordsmiths, so hiring someone with those dual skills (design and writing) is going to cost more, but it’s worth it when every word counts.

Wondering how much it costs to hire a web designer for all these extras? Spoiler alert: it’s more. SEO services alone can bump up your budget significantly, but if you want people to actually find your site without needing a treasure map, it’s a solid investment. Plus, SEO isn’t just a one-and-done deal—it’s an ongoing effort that keeps your site ranking higher over time.

And then there’s ongoing maintenance. Your website isn’t a static brochure—it’s a living, breathing thing that needs regular updates and maybe even fresh content down the road. If you want your site to run smoothly and keep evolving as your business grows, you’ll want to budget for long-term maintenance too.

The great thing about Squarespace (my platform of choice) is that you don’t have to worry about complicated security plug-ins or constant software updates. Your website stays safe and secure around the clock, giving every business owner peace of mind.

In short, the more extras you add—branding, SEO, copywriting and maintenance—the higher the cost of hiring a web designer. But with these additional services, you’re investing in a website that not only looks amazing but also performs flawlessly and brings in real results.

graphic showing how much do website designers cost influencing factors

Freelancer vs. Agency: What’s the Difference?

Deciding between a freelancer and an agency can feel like choosing between two equally good paths, but the journey—and the cost—will be different depending on what you need. Both have their strengths, and it really comes down to the specifics of your project. So, let’s dive in and weigh up the pros and cons.

Freelancer:

Freelancers are often seen as the go-to for smaller projects, but don’t let that fool you. There are plenty of talented freelancers out there who bring serious expertise to the table. Many of them are multi-skilled, offering not just web design but also SEO, content creation, and even branding. So, if you’re thinking freelancers only handle the basics, think again—there are seasoned pros who can provide a full suite of services, often with the added bonus of a more personal, hands-on approach.

When you’re wondering, how much do web designers charge as freelancers, they typically come with lower overheads compared to agencies, which means you can often get high-quality work at a more affordable rate. But that doesn’t mean you’re sacrificing quality. Many freelancers have years of experience, and because they wear many hats, they can be highly adaptable and offer a more tailored service. You also get the benefit of working directly with the person building your website, which can make the process smoother and more collaborative.

Of course, freelancers might not always have the same bandwidth as an agency, so if you need ongoing support or have a very complex project, you’ll want to make sure the freelancer you choose has the capacity to meet your needs long-term. But when you find the right one, you can end up with a website that’s not just beautiful, but optimised, functional, and completely aligned with your brand—all without breaking the bank.

Agency:

Agencies, on the other hand, tend to be the choice for larger projects or businesses looking for an all-in-one solution. With an agency, you’ll typically have a team working on your site—designers, developers, SEO specialists, content creators, and more. This can streamline the process and ensure that every aspect of your website is covered, from branding to marketing strategy.

But when you’re asking, how much does it cost to hire a web designer through an agency, the price will reflect the broader range of skills and resources they offer. Agencies come with higher costs because you’re paying for a team’s combined expertise, project management, and often ongoing support. This makes them a solid choice if you have a large, complex project or need a lot of different services under one roof.

That said, freelancers can offer many of the same services, often with the same level of expertise, but at a more budget-friendly rate. So, if you’re looking for flexibility, personal attention, and cost savings, a skilled freelancer can give you everything you need without the bigger price tag of an agency.

Understanding the Pricing Models

Alright, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of how much you should expect to pay for website design. When it comes to hiring a web designer, you’ll generally encounter two main pricing models: hourly rates and flat rates. Both have their advantages, depending on your project needs, but it’s important to know how they work so you can make the right choice for your budget and expectations. Here’s the lowdown:

Hourly Rates

If your project is a bit more flexible or you anticipate it evolving over time, going with an hourly rate can be a smart move. Most web designers who charge by the hour will have rates that range anywhere from £30 to £100, depending on their level of experience, the complexity of the work, and where they’re based. Experienced designers—those with a solid portfolio, years of coding expertise, or advanced skills like SEO and content creation—are naturally going to be on the higher end of that range.

Hourly rates are a great option if you expect your project to have a few twists and turns along the way. Maybe you’re starting small but plan to scale up later, or perhaps you want the freedom to make changes as you go. With hourly rates, you only pay for the actual time spent on the project. That said, the hours can add up quickly, so it’s crucial to stay in regular communication with your designer to avoid any surprises. Always ask upfront, “how much do web designers charge for a website on an hourly basis?” so you know exactly what you’re committing to. And don’t forget to get an estimate of how long the project will take—because while hourly rates offer flexibility, they can also lead to unexpected costs if the scope starts to balloon.

Flat Rate

Now, if you’re the type who prefers a little more financial certainty, a flat rate might be more up your alley. With this pricing model, you agree to pay a fixed amount for the entire project—no matter how many hours it takes. This can be a real lifesaver when it comes to budgeting, as you know exactly what you’re paying from the start, and there are no hidden surprises waiting at the end of the project. Whether your site takes two weeks or two months, the price remains the same.

But here’s the catch: while flat rates give you peace of mind, they come with one important caveat—you need to be crystal clear about the scope of the project. If you suddenly decide mid-way through that you want to add new features, extra pages, or some advanced SEO work, that “flat rate” could quickly shift. Designers often charge additional fees for extras that fall outside of the original agreement, so make sure both you and your designer are on the same page (literally and figuratively).

When asking “how much does it cost to hire a web designer”, flat rate pricing will vary based on the complexity of the project. A simple, brochure-style website might fall on the lower end, while a fully customised, multi-page e-commerce platform could command a much higher fee. The beauty of a flat rate is that you’ll know what you’re paying upfront, but just be sure the terms are clear—surprise extras can make that flat rate a lot less “flat.”

How Much Do Website Designers Cost - FAQS

Conclusion

So, there you have it. Whether you’re working with a freelancer or an agency, investing in professional website design is absolutely worth it. After all, your website is the face of your business—it’s often your first (and only) chance to make a lasting impression. And trust me, that’s something worth investing in.

Still wondering how much do website designers cost and what option is best for you? Let’s chat!

Clare Butler

This article was written by Clare Butler, dedicated Squarespace designer and SEO consultant based in the UK. With a passion for helping creative entrepreneurs, Clare specialises in creating beautiful, user-friendly websites that not only look great but are optimised for search engines. Her approach is tailored to small businesses, guiding them step-by-step through the web design process with patience and care.

https://www.clarebutler.co
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