The two parts of the cost
Almost every quote you get will split into the same two parts, even if it is not written that way:
- The build: planning the pages, writing or organising the words, design, building the site and putting it live.
- Keeping it running: the domain name, hosting, security and software updates, backups, small changes, and anything that brings visitors to the site, such as your Google Business Profile, social media or adverts.
A low build price with nothing included afterwards often ends up costing more over a couple of years than a higher price that covers the running costs.
What you are actually paying for
- Domain name: your web address, such as yourbusiness.co.uk. Usually a small yearly fee. Make sure it is registered in your name or your company's name.
- Hosting: the server your site lives on. Cheap hosting is fine for a small site, as long as someone keeps it secure and backed up.
- Design and build: the biggest one-off cost. A site built around your services and customers takes longer than a template with your logo dropped in, and it usually works harder for you.
- Words and photos: often forgotten. If you have to write every page yourself, factor in your own time.
- Updates and changes: new prices, new services, a new photo. Find out whether these are included or charged per change.
- Getting found: a website on its own rarely brings in work. Your Google Business Profile, reviews, social posts and follow-ups do a lot of the heavy lifting.
Three common ways to get a website
1. Build it yourself
Website builders charge a monthly subscription and you do the work. It is the cheapest option in money, but the most expensive in time, and the site is only as good as the hours you put in. It suits people who enjoy it and have the time.
2. A freelancer or agency builds it
You pay a one-off fee for the build, then either look after it yourself or pay extra for hosting, maintenance and changes. Good if you want a professional site and are happy to manage the rest.
3. A managed service builds and runs it
You pay a setup fee and a monthly fee, and one team builds the site, hosts it, keeps it up to date and does the marketing. It costs more each month, but there is nothing for you to manage, and the site keeps improving rather than slowly going out of date.
The hidden cost: a website that doesn't bring in work
The most expensive website is one that looks fine but never produces an enquiry. Common reasons are slow pages, a layout that is hard to use on a phone, no clear way to get in touch, out-of-date information, and nobody visiting because the business is hard to find on Google. Whatever route you choose, make sure someone is responsible for fixing those things.
Questions to ask before you pay anyone
- What exactly is included in the one-off price, and what is included each month?
- Who owns the domain name and the website?
- Who hosts it, and who keeps it secure and backed up?
- How much do changes cost, and how quickly are they done?
- Will it work well on a phone, and will it be built so Google can understand it?
- How long is the contract, and what is the notice period?
- How will I know whether it is bringing in enquiries?
What Sonnatt.ai charges
We use the managed route. It costs £995 one-off to build it: a discovery session, your website and a chatbot built and live, connected to the tools you already use, and training for your team. Then it's £995 a month to run it: hosting, marketing and social media management, a monthly review call and priority support. There's no long contract; you can cancel with 30 days' notice. Businesses with several sites or branches can use our Scale plan, from £3,000 a month.
See our website design service or the full pricing page.