You’ve probably come across all sorts of prices between those two mentioned. And you’re left wondering… what’s the actual difference?

On the surface, they might offer “a website that looks good and converts.” But once you dig into what goes on behind the scenes, it becomes clear why some websites are priced like fast food, and others like a proper three-course meal with dessert and drinks.

Let’s break it down.

The £500 website: What you’re usually getting

This price point is usually appealing for startups or businesses trying to keep costs low. But that £500 often gets you the bare minimum.

• A basic setup, possibly using a theme the designer has used many times before
• Little to no understanding of your business goals or who you’re trying to attract
• You’re expected to provide all the content (and make it sound good too)
• Limited design flexibility – it’s more plug-and-play than tailored
• Often missing key functionality like SEO, speed checks, and lead-gen tools
• No support or maintenance once it’s live

It might look okay on the surface. But it’s not built to work for you.

And most of the time, if someone is charging less than a grand for a site, it’s for one of two reasons:

• They’re just starting out and need experience
• They’ve been in business for years but haven’t built up the confidence to raise their prices, maybe because they’re scared they won’t get clients if they do

That doesn’t automatically mean it’s a bad website – but it’s something to be aware of.

The £5000 Website: What you’re really paying for

When you’re quoted £5k, it’s not just for a prettier layout – you’re paying for thought, process, experience, and results.

Here’s what’s often included:

• A custom strategy based on your goals, offers, audience, and growth plans
• Branding or brand alignment that creates instant trust and connection
• Copywriting that actually speaks to your ideal client and leads them to take action
• A design that’s not just good-looking but functional and built for conversions
• Integration with your marketing tools – booking systems, email marketing, forms, chatbots
• Mobile-friendly and optimised for SEO, speed, and accessibility
• Testing, support, launch strategy, and sometimes training
• A future-proof setup that you won’t outgrow in 6 months

In other words, it’s not just a website – it’s a full digital experience that helps you grow without constantly chasing leads or paying for ads.

Every designer works differently

Some use Showit, some use WordPress, Framer, or Webflow, and some are Wix specialists. Some do everything custom from scratch, others use frameworks or templated sections to streamline.

There’s no one “right” way to build a website – but the final result should feel like it’s made for your business, not just another generic online brochure.

The real cost of the cheap option

Let’s say you go with the £500 option because it’s “good enough for now.” Here’s what often happens:

• You spend way more time trying to fix or figure things out on your own
• Leads drop off because your site isn’t easy to use or convert them
• You feel stuck every time you want to update something
• Eventually, you end up hiring someone else to re-do the whole thing

So in the end, you’ve paid twice and wasted a whole lot of time and energy in the process.

To sum this all up

There’s no shame in starting small – we all do it. But if you’re a business owner ready to grow, it’s worth knowing what you’re actually paying for.

A £500 site can work if you’re just getting started and don’t need much. But once you want your website to do work for you – bring in leads, build trust, and support your offers – that’s when it’s time to invest in something more strategic.

In most cases, once you’re spending over £1000, you start to get a solid return on investment, not just a nicer-looking site, but one that helps your business move forward.

Thinking about upgrading?

My Smart Website service was made for growing businesses that want strategy, design, and automation without waiting months or going into debt. It’s a full website in a week, built to convert, with a 24/7 smart helper functionality that helps you bring in more clients with strategic automation.

If you’re curious how it works, reach out here.