How Much Does a Tradesman’s Website Cost?
A straight-talking guide to what a website really costs for tradespeople and small businesses in the UK — no jargon, no hidden extras.
If you’ve asked around, you’ve probably had wildly different answers — from “my nephew did mine for fifty quid” to agencies quoting five figures. Here’s what actually drives the price, and what a website that brings in work should cost in 2026.
The three main options
1. DIY website builders — £0–£300
Wix, Squarespace, GoDaddy and similar let you build it yourself for a low monthly fee. Cheap, but it costs you time, the results usually look templated, and they rarely rank well on Google or turn visitors into calls. Fine for a placeholder; not ideal if the site needs to win you jobs.
2. Freelancer — £400–£1,500
A freelance web designer gives you a more professional, custom result. Quality varies a lot, and you’ll want to check they build for mobile, speed and local SEO — not just looks.
3. Specialist agency — £595–£3,000+
An agency that builds for trades handles design, local SEO, hosting and support as a package. You pay more than DIY, but the site is built to rank in your area and convert visits into enquiries — which is the entire point of having one.
What affects the price
- Number of pages — a simple 5-page site costs less than a 15-page one with a service page per trade and area.
- Local SEO — optimising to rank in your town/borough adds value (and jobs).
- Features — booking forms, galleries, reviews, click-to-call, live chat.
- Copywriting & photos — professional words and images cost more but convert better.
Don’t forget the ongoing costs
Whatever route you take, budget for hosting (keeping the site online and fast), a domain (your web address, renewed yearly) and maintenance (security, backups and updates). Skip maintenance and you risk a slow, hacked or broken site. Expect £15–£50/month for hosting and care combined.
What we charge
At Tradefront Web, websites start from £595 for a professional, mobile-first, locally-optimised site — with a fixed quote agreed up front and no hidden extras. Care plans (hosting, security and updates) start from £29/month, and most sites go live within about two weeks.
Real examples we’ve built
Take a look at concept sites we’ve designed for an electrician, a plumbing & heating firm and a joinery business.
Common questions on website cost
How much should a small business website cost in the UK?
For a professional small-business or trades website, expect roughly £595–£2,500 depending on the number of pages and features. Cheap template sites can be under £300 but rarely rank or convert well; full custom builds run higher.
Are there ongoing costs?
Yes — budget for hosting, domain renewal and a care/maintenance plan. At Tradefront Web hosting and updates start from £29/month, which covers security, backups and small changes.
Is it worth paying more than for a DIY builder?
If your website needs to bring in work, yes. A well-built, fast, locally-optimised site pays for itself with a handful of extra jobs — something most DIY template sites struggle to deliver.
What does Tradefront Web charge?
Our websites start from £595 with a fixed quote agreed up front, and are usually live within about two weeks.
Get a fixed quote for yours
Tell us what you do and where you work — we’ll send a clear, no-obligation price.