You don't need to be a developer to build a good-looking website. Whether it's for a small business, a portfolio or a hobby blog, here's a step-by-step guide on how to make a website, with typical UK costs and the legal basics you need to know.
Prices are a rough guide and change frequently — always check current plans.
Step 1: Decide what your website is for
Before you pick any tools, write down:
- The goal — selling products, getting enquiries, sharing a portfolio or writing a blog.
- Your audience — who will visit and what they need to find quickly.
- The pages you need — usually Home, About, Services or Products, and Contact.
Step 2: Choose how to build it
| Option | Best for | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Website builder (Wix, Squarespace) | Beginners who want drag-and-drop design | £10–£40 per month |
| Shopify | Online shops | £25–£80+ per month plus fees |
| WordPress.com | Blogs and simple sites | Free–£40 per month |
| WordPress.org (self-hosted) | Full control and flexibility | £3–£25 per month for hosting |
| A web designer | Custom design without the DIY | £500–£5,000+ one-off |
Website builders are the quickest way to get online: pick a template, drag in your text and images, and publish. Self-hosted WordPress takes a little more setting up but gives you more freedom and thousands of plugins.
Step 3: Get a domain name
Your domain is your web address. For a UK audience, a .co.uk or .uk domain builds trust, while .com works internationally.
- Typical cost: £5–£15 per year for a .co.uk domain.
- Keep it short, easy to spell and easy to say out loud.
- Buy the matching .com or .co.uk too if it's available, to protect your brand.
Many website builders include a free domain for the first year.
Step 4: Design your pages
- Home page: say clearly what you do and who you do it for, with one main call to action.
- About page: tell your story and show a real photo — people buy from people.
- Services or products: describe benefits, not just features, and include prices if you can.
- Contact page: an email address, a form and, for local businesses, your opening hours and map.
Use good photos, plenty of white space and make sure everything works on mobile — most visitors will be on a phone.
Step 5: Cover the legal basics
If you're running a business website in the UK, check the following:
- Privacy policy — explain what personal data you collect and why, under UK GDPR.
- Cookie consent — non-essential cookies (like most analytics and advertising cookies) need consent before they're set.
- Business details — limited companies must show their registered name, number and address.
- ICO registration — most organisations that process personal data must pay a small annual data protection fee to the Information Commissioner's Office, unless exempt.
- Terms and conditions — essential if you sell online, including refund and delivery terms.
Step 6: Get found on Google
- Write a clear title and description for each page.
- Use the words your customers would search for.
- Create a free Google Business Profile if you serve local customers.
- Submit your site to Google Search Console.
- Add fresh, useful content over time, such as blog posts and FAQs.
Step 7: Launch and keep improving
Check every page on mobile and desktop, test your contact form, and ask a friend to try to find information on the site. After launch, look at your analytics regularly and update content as your business grows.
How much does a website cost in the UK?
- DIY with a builder: roughly £120–£500 per year, including domain and plan.
- Self-hosted WordPress: roughly £50–£300 per year, plus any premium themes or plugins.
- Professional designer: usually £500–£5,000+ upfront, plus hosting and maintenance.
Need more tech help? Learn how to take a screenshot, read about the best VPNs in the UK, or browse our money guides for running a small business.
