As a web designer in London, I know that many businesses and individuals are looking for affordable web design. Let me some share tips and knowledge about website builders, costs, upkeep and more.
Learn about the web design process and how to get started with your business website or let our team of talented website designers work with you to create a new website that not only looks awesome but also converts visitors into customers.
What is Web Design?
It is the process of creating a new website for your business/brand that includes determining the layout, color scheme, typography, graphics and overall user experience of the site.
The goal of website design is to create a site by a web developer or a team of designers and developers that meets the following:
- SEO optimized
- Visually appealing
- Easy to navigate
- Effectively communicates the desired message
- Has a clear user experience
Good website design is essential for attracting and retaining users, as well as achieving the goals of the website owner. To create a new website that meets specific needs and goals from CTA, Payment Getaway System to Lead Generation, it is important to work closely with a professional web design team.
NOTE: A website is a long-term investment and you are better off investing in a high-quality web design that will last for years and doesn't need to be redesigned or rebuilt every few years.
An affordable websites cost £1,000 - £1,500 on average but bear in mind that it might not be SEO optimised or connected with analytics, GMB or following design trends and more as they're low cost websites.
Professional Website Design Costs
Web design cost is determined by a number of factors such as the type of website you want, the features it needs, the number of pages, whether you providing services or selling products, etc. The below price list will give you an idea of what to expect in terms of a bespoke website design and affordable web design.
Affordable Web Design Services and Prices
As the name suggests, affordable web design is a cost-effective solution that lacks the personal touch that comes with a bespoke website design service. The site still can look good and do everything you need but will be limited in design, functionality, support.
WordPress design prices by a mix of local web design freelancers and UK web agencies:
- Basic Website (up to 6 pages) = £800 - £1,500
- Advanced Website (up to 10 pages) = £1,500 - £3,000
- eCommerce Website (Shopify Design) = £1,000 - £2,500
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Bespoke Web Design Services & Prices
When it comes to web design, especially bespoke website design there is no one-size-fits-all solution and the cost will ultimately depend on your specific requirements. But the benefit is that you get a unique and tailored website that truly reflects your brand and business goals.
Webflow web builder prices by FIT DESIGN web design London:
- 1 Page Website or Landing Page (contact page) = £1,000 - £1,500
- Up to 6 Pages = £4,000 - £5,000
- Up to 10 Pages = £6,000 - £7,000
- Up to 15 Pages = £8,000 - £10,000
RECOMMENDATIONS:
=> As you may see the cost of website design can range depending on the size and complexity of your web design project. If you are looking for an affordable design, we recommend starting with a smaller project such as a one-page website. Once you have an idea of what you need and want, you can then begin to look for web companies that offer affordable web design.
=> When looking for an affordable web design company, we highly recommend getting quotes from a few different companies to compare prices. Make sure to also ask about their process, what is included in their services, and if they have any website design packages that fit your budget.
=> The bottom line is, that there are a lot of web development companies and many web designers in London that offer affordable design. However, not all of them are created equal. Make sure to do your research and find a website company that you can trust to deliver a high-quality website that meets your needs and budget.
Costs to Maintain a UK Website
Maintaining a website is absolutely essential to keeping your site up-to-date, relevant, and secure. Depending on the size of your website and how often you need to make changes, the cost of maintaining a website can range from £10 per month to £500 per month.
Mandatory Costs of Maintaining a Small Business Website:
- Domain Name = £14,99 - £24,99/year
- Website Hosting = £2,99 - £15,99/month
- SSL Certificate = £0 - £60/year
- Email Services = £1,99 - £5/month
- Plugins & Extensions = £0 - £39/month
- Theme Updates: Free
- WordPress, Wix & Website Builders = £50 - £150/year
Optional Costs of Maintaining a Business Website
Website for your business is essential for reaching your target audience and promoting your products/services online. Depending on your business needs, you may opt for additional services to drive traffic & sales.
SEO Services
£150 - £500/month
It can greatly benefit your online business to increase visibility and reach a wider audience. By optimizing your website for search engines, you can improve your visibility and attract more organic traffic. The service typically includes keyword research, on-page optimization, content creation, link building and technical optimization.
Digital Marketing
£300 - £1,000/month
Reach your target audience and increase brand awareness online with various strategies such as social media marketing, email marketing, PPC advertising and content marketing. The only downside is that it can be quite expensive compared to SEO which complements cheap website design for small businesses.
Development Service
£40 - £70/h
If you want to grow your business online, you should update your website regularly [6-12months] to attract more website visitors and increase your online presence. Keeping your website up-to-date with fresh content and modern designs can help you stand out from the competition and drive more traffic to your site.
Graphic Design Work
£100+
Have you recently redesigned your website and need a custom design, professional logo design, flyer, or business card? You should contact an award-winning website design company to create eye-catching visuals, whether you need help with branding, marketing materials or a complete brochure website makeover.
Tech Support
£50 - £500/month
If you just completed an affordable web design for small business, you should invest in site maintenance services for 3-6 months to ensure the website up and running at all times. The support packages have various benefits, including regular updates and backups, security monitoring, content updates and technical support.
How to Find Cheap Web Design Services?
1. Hire a Website Design Company or Freelancer
There are many website design services available online that are essential for the website, every web agency and freelancer has a different strategy and price list that ranges from a few hundred pounds to several thousand pounds. To find an affordable design you may use the following practices to analyze and understand website development.
A) Google Search
Type into the Google search bar - "web designer in London" - or the town you live in and then select a few from the 1st or 2nd pages of the search results. Check their small business website design services & portfolio and ask for a quote. Include your budget, time frame & mockup if any.
B) Google Maps
Same as above, but now click the map tab section and choose from the top 10 listed. The good thing is, that you have an instant opportunity to read reviews of previous clients who have worked with the web design agency.
C) Directories
There are a few great listings that contain web agencies and freelancers for UK web design. eg. Clutch, G2 and for a cheaper option you can find affordable website design at Yell, Gumtree, and Cylex.
D) Social Media
Another useful tool to explore website design companies and freelancers specialize in affordable website design & website packages. The most used and popular social channels are Facebook & LinkedIn.
E) Marketplaces
If you are a business looking for cheap website for your company, the following platforms provide web design services from all over the World: PeoplePerHour, Bark, Upwork and Fiverr. Important to bear in mind that cheap doesn't always mean quality or functioning website.
2. Build Websites - DIY Web Design
If you're willing to put in some time and effort, you can design your own website using free or low-cost web tools and templates. This option is best for people who are familiar with website design basics and are comfortable working with web design builders and software.
However, it's important to note that a DIY web page can be time-consuming, and you may not end up with a professional-looking website if you're not careful. DIY website design options:
A) Inexpensive Website Builders
These website builders allow you to create a website for free, although you will usually need to upgrade to a paid plan to get rid of ads and unlock additional features.
- WordPress = £0
One of the most popular web design platforms. Offers free plans but you'll have to pay for web hosting and domain name to customize it to your liking. Perfect if you want to showcase your services, products or blog website needs.
- Wix = £9/month
Not as flexible as WordPress design but it provides affordable web design and allows you to build a brand new website without needing to know coding or design skills. Good option if you seek an affordable price with a website and email included.
- Weebly = £7/month
Another popular website builder that is easy to use and perfect for small businesses, new startups and personal affordable websites. Not as customizable but if your budget is tight it's a great option to opt in.
- Yola = £6.5/month
It has everything you need to get started with affordable webdesign, although the free plan is quite limited you don't have to be a genius web designer in London to build one basic page that has functionalities and security features.
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B) Paid Web Builders
If you want more control over the design and functionality of your new website & get leads, sell your products or grow the business online you can use a paid web design platform like Squarespace or Shopify. These platforms offer a wide range of features and allow you to create a professional-looking website without needing to hire a web designer.
However, they can be more expensive than other web design options and can be challenging to use if you're not familiar with web design basics. A content management system (CMS) like Webflow is a better option if you want more control over your website's design and functionality.
The most used content management system list includes:
- Shopify = £25/month
A popular eCommerce platform to sell products online. Offers all the integrations and features you need to create a successful online store, while it has many basic pre-made themes for free. For full customization, you will have to purchase a paid theme.
- Squarespace = £16/month
A cheap web design platform for small businesses and personal websites that offers a range of features and templates. It has various web design packages to choose from and is good option for eCommerce development.
- Webflow = $29/month
An advanced website builder that it's perfect for people who are familiar with web design as it offers a lot of customization options and has a good social media integration. Affordable web and graphic design builder if you're a skilled developer.
- Jimdo = £11/month
With Jimdo, you can create a new website for free, but if you want to remove ads and unlock additional features, you have to upgrade to a paid plan. The platform is easy to use and it is perfect for small businesses and personal websites, but it's not as customizable as other web design options.
Top Web Design London Agencies
When it comes to finding an agency that specializes in creating responsive websites, look no further than these UK based agencies:
- JBi Digital - specialises in creative and technical solutions
- Fit Design - full service bespoke design studio
- WholeGrain - passionate WordPress agency
- Lilo - award winning web development company
- Artist Web - responsive web design agency
Professional Web Design Process
1. Discovery
This phase involves gathering information from the client about their business goals, target audience, brand identity, and desired features for the website.
2. Planning
During this phase, the web design team creates a site map and wireframes to outline the layout and structure of the website. This helps to organize content and ensure a logical flow of information.
3. Design
In this phase, the friendly web designers create visual mockups of the website, taking into account the client's branding elements and user interface design principles. Feedback from the client is incorporated to refine the design.
4. Development
Once the design is approved, the website is built using HTML, CSS, and other programming languages. This stage involves integrating functionality, such as forms, animations, and interactive elements, as well as testing for usability and responsiveness on various devices.
5. Content & S E O
In this phase, content such as text, images, and videos are added to the website. Search Engine Optimization strategies are also implemented to help the website rank higher in search engine results. This includes keyword research, meta tags, and optimizing content for search engines.
6. Testing
After we design and develop all page, the website is thoroughly tested for bugs, broken links, and performance issues to ensure a seamless user experience. This may involve usability testing with real users to identify any areas for improvement.
7. Launch
Once testing is complete, the website is ready for launch. This involves deploying the website to a web server and making it live for public access. The web design team may also provide training to the client on how to manage and update the website.
8. Maintenance
After the website is launched, ongoing maintenance is recommended to keep it running smoothly. This may involve updating content, fixing bugs, and optimize your website performance.
Website Designer vs Web Developer
These are two different roles within the web development industry, each with its own set of skills and responsibilities.
Web Designers
- Responsible for creating the visual elements of a website, including layout, color scheme, typography, and graphics.
- Use design software like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator to create mockups and wireframes of the website.
- Work closely with clients to understand their design preferences and create a website that aligns with their brand and goals.
- Focus on the front-end aspects of a website, such as user experience and visual aesthetics.
Web Developer
- Responsible for building the technical aspects of a website, including writing code, creating functionality, and optimizing the website for performance.
- Uses programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to build the structure and functionality of a website. Collaborates with web designers to bring their designs to life, ensuring that the website functions as intended.
- Tests and debugs the website to ensure that it works smoothly across different browsers and devices.
- Focuses on the back-end aspects of a website, such as database integration, server configuration, and security.
5 Benefits of Custom Web Design
1. Unique Branding
Allows businesses to create a website that truly reflects their brand identity and values. This unique branding can help companies stand out in a crowded online marketplace and attract a target audience.
2. Improved UX
Ensures that the website is user-friendly and easy to navigate, leading to a better overall user experience. This can result in increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.
3. Increased Functionality
Tailor-made features and functionalities to meet specific needs and goals. This can include custom plugins, integrations, and unique interactive elements that enhance the user experience and drive conversions.
4. Optimization
Allows businesses to optimize their website for search engines, improving their chances of ranking higher in search results. This can increase organic traffic to the website and attract more potential customers.
5. Scalability & Flexibility
Provides businesses with the ability to easily scale and update their website as their needs and goals evolve. This ensures that the website remains relevant and effective over time, helping businesses stay competitive in their industry.
