How much should a website cost?

I don’t mean how much you want to pay – let’s face it, that’s likely to be a smaller number. So you might not like the answer. Because what you want to pay and what it takes to build a proper website are usually two different numbers. But clarity beats guesswork.

What you get at each price point

£500–£2K: DIY and budget builds
Think of Wix, Squarespace, and low-cost freelancers. You might get something that looks passable, from a distance. But the cracks quickly begin to show. Slow load times, clunky mobile experience, content that talks at you, not to you. It may even hurt your credibility. Especially in sectors where trust is everything.

£2K–£5K: Low-end agency websites
You’re getting more polish, maybe a bespoke template. But it’s still template-first, not strategy-first. The agency may rely on off-the-shelf page-builders, which perform poorly and speak to a lack of technical skill.

Design and copy are usually superficial. You’re unlikely to get a site built with performance, SEO, and conversion in mind. Good enough for some, perhaps. But it’s a risk for credibility-driven sectors.

£5K–£20K+: High-end agency sites
This is where the real value starts. Design, messaging and development are integrated. Everything’s created uniquely for your business and your clients. Your site is fast to load, responsive for mobiles, secure and built to convert.

You’re paying for substance, and it shows.

A website isn’t a luxury. It’s your first impression.

First impressions happen fast. Within 0.05 seconds, in fact.
75% of people judge your credibility based on your website.
88% won’t return after a bad user experience.
50%+ of mobile users leave if loading is longer than 3 seconds.

If your website doesn’t reflect your expertise, your clients will assume you don’t have very much.

How to spot value, not just cost

If you’re considering an agency, you’ll be considering more than the price. You need to take a good look at their portfolio.

• Does every site look the same? If so, you’re essentially buying templates. You need an agency to dig-deep and create something specific to your business.
• Read the copy. Is it jargon-heavy and me-first? Or client-first and focussed on conversions? Copy should speak to the client’s needs, and show how you’re the solution.
• Check performance. Is the site fast? Responsive? Secure? Your clients will notice if it isn’t. And you’ll pay for it with poor search engine performance.
• Test for substance. Was the work thoughtful? Strategic? Do you get the sense the agency understood your industry?

If not, it doesn’t matter what you paid. It was too much.

So… how much should a website cost?

In the end the precise price depends on many factors. But let’s not be shy about it, here’s what we think a reasonable price range is.

PLOTT sites typically fall between £5K and £20K+. That’s not budget territory. But it’s not prestige pricing either. We’re an agency with a high-end output but, strictly speaking, mid-tier prices. We don’t sell on price. Never have. You probably don’t either.

Some London agencies will quote double. That’s the power of brands at work. But what you really need is value. You need a commercially-minded agency. One that knows what’s needed and knows how to get you there.

Ready to chat about your business?

We start with a ten-minute call — just to see if we’re a good fit. If it feels right, we’ll follow up with a no-obligation Brand Scan. A clear, professional review of where your brand and website stand today, and how they could work harder for your business.

So, let’s talk about branding, and what works for your business. Drop us a line – or if you prefer a chat, use our online booking tool – and we’ll get the ball rolling.