Web designers in the UK typically charge between £20 and £300+ per hour, or offer fixed project prices ranging from £500 to over £20,000 depending on complexity, experience, and scope. A freelancer will usually design a basic 5-page website for £1,000–£3,000, while a small agency charges £3,000–£5,000, and larger agencies start at £8,000–£10,000 or more—with pricing heavily influenced by the designer’s experience level, geographic location, project complexity, and whether custom features or e-commerce functionality is required.
Hourly Rates for Web Designers
Hourly rates are one common pricing model, though many designers prefer fixed project quotes. Here’s what you can typically expect:
Freelancers: £20–£100 per hour, depending on experience and location
Small Agencies: £50–£200 per hour
Large Agencies: £100–£300+ per hour
Experience is a major factor—junior or newer designers charge less, while established professionals with proven track records command premium rates. Location also plays a significant role: designers based in London and other major cities typically charge more than those in regional areas due to higher overhead costs and demand.
Project-Based Pricing
Most designers and agencies prefer fixed project pricing rather than hourly rates, as it provides clarity and budget certainty. Here are typical cost ranges:
Basic/Single-Page Website: £500–£1,000
Basic 5-Page Brochure Website (Freelancer): £1,000–£3,000
Basic 5-Page Brochure Website (Agency): £3,000–£5,000, often including SEO and ongoing support
Custom Website Design with Advanced Features: £5,000–£15,000
Simple E-commerce Website: £5,000–£10,000
Complex/Larger E-commerce Platform: £15,000–£40,000+
Bespoke Custom Applications: £40,000–£75,000 or more
These ranges reflect the fact that larger, more feature-rich sites demand significantly more development time and expertise than simple informational websites.
Key Factors Affecting Web Designer Costs
Designer Experience and Expertise
Experienced designers with strong portfolios charge more because they deliver higher-quality work, faster turnarounds, and better strategic guidance. Senior designers understand user experience, conversion optimization, and branding—skills that junior designers are still developing. This expertise translates to better business outcomes, making the premium worth the investment.
Project Complexity and Scope
A simple brochure site with static pages costs far less than a complex e-commerce platform with shopping carts, payment gateways, inventory management, and user accounts. Custom functionality, database integration, API connections, and third-party integrations all add to development time and cost.
Geographic Location
Where your designer is based significantly impacts pricing. UK-based designers typically charge £50–£100 per hour, while London designers often command £100–£200+ per hour. For comparison, designers in Eastern Europe or Asia may charge £20–£50 per hour, though working across different time zones can complicate communication.
Website Type and Platform
Different platforms come with different costs. A WordPress website built by a freelance web designer near you may cost less than a Shopify e-commerce platform or a fully custom-coded site. The choice of platform impacts both initial development cost and long-term maintenance expenses.
Design Customization vs. Templates
Custom-designed websites built specifically for your brand cost significantly more than template-based designs. However, custom designs provide better branding, unique layouts, and scalability. Website redesign services that transform outdated sites into modern, high-converting platforms justify their premium pricing through improved user engagement and business results.
Additional Services
Beyond basic design, costs can increase with services like professional copywriting, high-quality photography, video production, advanced SEO optimization, and ongoing maintenance. According to BrowserStack’s 2025 Design Guide, additional services like UX research and A/B testing can further enhance costs but significantly improve conversion rates.
DIY Website Builders vs. Professional Designers
DIY platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify offer affordable monthly plans starting from £9–£50/month, making them attractive for tight budgets. However, these come with limitations: restricted customization, limited SEO control, template dependency, and difficulty scaling as your business grows.
A professionally designed website, while requiring a larger upfront investment, provides custom branding, better SEO foundation, superior user experience, and long-term scalability. The return on investment from a professionally designed site typically far exceeds the initial cost through improved conversions and business growth.
Why Choose Professional Web Design?
Investing in professional web design isn’t just an expense—it’s a business asset. A well-designed website by an experienced designer or agency builds credibility, converts visitors into customers, and provides a strong foundation for your digital marketing efforts. The price difference between DIY and professional design is often recovered quickly through increased sales and customer inquiries.
At marcomundo.co.uk, we offer transparent, competitive pricing for custom web design that delivers measurable results. Whether you need a new site or website maintenance services, our experienced team creates websites that work as hard as your business does. Get in touch for a free consultation and discover how professional web design can transform your online presence.
