How Much Does a Custom Website Cost in the UK? (2026 Edition)
While pricing depends on your goals, features, and complexity, this article gives you a clear breakdown of what to expect in 2026, and how to budget smartly for a custom website or platform.
Date Published
12 Nov 2025
Date Updated
21 Nov 2025
Written By
Exline Labs Team
Reading Time
3 min read
Service Type
Bespoke Websites & Web ApplicationsIntroduction
“How much does it cost to build a custom website in the UK?”
It’s one of the most common and important questions we hear at Exline Labs. Before budgeting, founders often need to understand the difference between custom web development vs website builders because the right approach depends on your vision, scalability needs and how unique your product really is.
While pricing varies based on features and complexity, this article gives you a clear breakdown of what to expect in 2026 and how to budget smartly for a custom website or platform.
Average Custom Website Costs in the UK (2026)
| Type of Website | Estimated Cost Range |
| Basic Business Website (5–8 pages) | £2,500 – £5,000 |
| Advanced SME Website (10+ pages) | £6,000 – £12,000 |
| Custom Web App or Portal | £12,000 – £30,000+ |
| eCommerce Website (Custom-built) | £8,000 – £20,000+ |
| MVP / Startup SaaS Frontend | £10,000 – £25,000 |
Note: These prices are based on UK agencies using modern stacks (React, Laravel, Node.js) with full ownership and scalability.
What Impacts Website Cost?
1. Functionality
o Forms, dashboards, integrations, CRMs, APIs
o More logic = more time and budget
2. Design Complexity
o Custom animations, responsive layouts, accessibility compliance
o Unique UI takes more hours than templated design
3. Content Management System (CMS)
o Headless (e.g., Sanity, Strapi) vs WordPress vs Custom
4. Integrations
o Payment gateways, booking engines, external APIs
5. Team Location
o UK agencies cost more than hybrid/offshore setups
6. Hosting, Security & Maintenance
o Ongoing support plans can range from £100 to £500/month
UK vs Offshore vs Hybrid Pricing Models
| Team Type | Hourly Rate | Pros | Cons |
| UK In-House | £60–£120/hr | Local, reliable, compliant | Expensive |
| Offshore Only | £20–£45/hr | Affordable | Quality and time zone risks |
| Hybrid (e.g., Exline Labs) | £30–£70/hr | Balance of quality + cost | Requires experienced PM |
At Exline Labs, we offer hybrid pricing models with local UK oversight and international development for startups and SMEs.
How to Budget for Custom Development
- Define must-have vs nice-to-have features
- Ask for fixed-scope quotes instead of open-ended hourly estimates
- Budget 20% extra for testing, revisions, and launch phase
- Consider a MVP-first approach to reduce upfront costs
A clear understanding of your custom web app development process helps prevent budget surprises and keeps your investment aligned with real user needs from day one.
Are Website Builders Cheaper?
Yes, but they’re limited in:
- Custom features
- Performance and SEO
- Integration and future growth
Builders like Wix or Squarespace might save money now, but often require a full rebuild later.
Have any Questions?
How much should I budget for a custom website in the UK?
Most startups should budget between £5,000 and £15,000 for a full build.
What’s the difference between a £3k and £20k website?
Functionality, integrations, UX/UI design, and scalability, more features = more dev hours.
Do agencies charge hourly or fixed cost?
Reputable agencies often offer both. Fixed-scope is safer for startups.
Are there hidden costs in custom development?
Potentially, for hosting, domain, security, testing, and content entry.
Can I start small and scale later?
Yes. Many startups begin with a Minimum Viable Website and grow features over time.
Is it cheaper to use a freelance developer?
Sometimes, But you may sacrifice scalability, design quality, and long-term support.
What CMS should I use for a custom website?
Depends. Headless CMS like Strapi or Sanity offer flexibility; WordPress works for basic needs.
How long does a custom website project take?
Typically 4–12 weeks depending on complexity and client feedback.
Do you offer payment plans or phased projects?
Yes, at Exline Labs we structure projects around startup milestones and fundraising timelines.
What’s the ROI of a custom-built website?
Better performance, higher SEO rankings, faster loading, and longer lifecycle than template sites.
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