Understanding the costs associated with websites can be challenging. Every business wants a unique website that fully meets its requirements. Websites also vary in many ways, like their type, size, technical complexity, and the method used to build them. These requirements could mean using a DIY website builder, hiring a freelance web designer, or working with a website design agency (which is typically larger in scale than freelancers). We have previously discussed how much a website costs in the UK, but in this blog, we will focus on single-page websites.
On average, the cost of a single-page website ranges from £300 to £2,000 or more. In this blog, we’ll explore the different types of single-page websites, the factors that influence their costs, review some examples, and discuss how to choose the right approach for your business without overspending.
Who is a single-page website for?
Single-page websites are a flexible solution for small- to medium-sized businesses, large corporations, and even freelancers or hobbyists.
- SMEs can use them to guide visitors through a compact scrolling experience, all while being on a budget.
- Large-scale businesses can launch a one-page website for a limited event or test demand for a new idea before hard launching a campaign and spending a higher budget to build a 5-page website.
- Independent creators can showcase their portfolio or create a gallery with a single-page website. These are just a few examples, and we will review additional live examples later on, as the uses for a single-page website extend far beyond what has been mentioned.
Core Features of a Single-Page Website
A single-page website is quite different from similar websites with multiple pages. That is why the components, features and distinct layout of a one-page website are easily identifiable. Below are the core elements that typically define such a site. Later, we will also look at how these features can affect the overall cost and budget.
1. Continuous scrollable layout
Most single-page websites use a long-scroll format, where all the content is stacked on one page. To achieve a professional and neat appearance, the page is divided into multiple sections, often separated by different colour schemes and typography to capture viewers’ interest.
2. Clear call-to-action
Regardless of the type of website, all lead towards a strong call-to-action like “Book Now”, “Call Us Today”, or “Get Your Quote”.
3. Effortless navigation
Single-page websites typically include anchored menus, which help users to directly skip to a specific section. This saves time, especially for returning visitors who may go straight to “Contact” without scrolling through the entire page. By clicking on the relevant section on the menu, the site glides down to it.
4. Attractive visuals
One of the important components of any single-page website is its visuals, which include images, videos, illustrations, and animations. They help keep the users engaged throughout and convey the message in a compact way without needing a lengthy text.
5. Mobile-friendly
Like other websites, single-page designs are built to adapt to various screen sizes. A responsive web design ensures that the images resize correctly, buttons remain simple to tap, and text can be easily readable on mobile devices as well as desktops.
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Factors which influence the cost of single-page websites
To understand what goes into the total price of a website, it helps to break down the expenses. Let us discuss each one by one.
Website Building
This cost covers the working hours spent on creating the website. The exact charges depend on whether the business has employed a DIY method or hired a freelance website developer to build the website. Later in the blog, we discuss the exact cost ranges relevant to the building method for different types of websites.
Website Domain
The domain name of a website is its address. For a UK-based website, it can look like business.co.uk or business.com. It is charged once a year and ranges from £0.01 to £20.
Website Content
During the initial building stages of a website, content and images are added as placeholders for the design. But for a responsive web design, the business must provide accurate information to replace the dummy content. For one-page websites, the content needs to be compact while effectively communicating all relevant details simultaneously. In addition to content, high-quality images, graphics, videos, and illustrations are also important. In such a case, a content writer can be hired for £200 to £1,000 or more.
Website Security
Every website needs features like a basic firewall and SSL certificates for its security. These features are typically charged for annually and range from £0 to £120 or more.
Website SEO
It is important to make sure that a website is compatible with the SEO requirements. Typically, this service is not included in a website-building package and is charged separately. A business can hire an SEO specialist from £150 to £500+, depending on the website.
Website Hosting
A website hosting can either be shared or dedicated, depending on its type and size. The prices range widely from a minimum of £3 to £100 per month or more. For a 1-page website, shared hosting might be a smart option, which usually falls towards the lower end of the cost range.
Website Maintenance
Without maintenance, even the most expensive websites can break down and become non-functional. Maintenance costs of a website include charges for ongoing updates, monthly plugin checks, and maintaining annual backups and can vary from £10 to £100 a month or more, depending on the services availed.
Main Types of Single-Page Websites With Cost Ranges
| Type of Single-Page Website | Key Features | Typical UK Cost Range |
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Informational landing page |
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Personal brand page |
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Event or campaign page |
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Now that we know the core features of a typical single-page website, let us move on to discuss the cost breakdown. The costs can vary with the types of web design, complexity, the extent of features, and the method used to build them. Here are the most common types you’ll notice, along with what they usually cost in the UK:
Informational landing page website
This type of website is most popular among local businesses that want a short, attention-capturing and persuasive single-page site. It is a broad category used by both SMEs and large corporations. The main advantage is its focus, which is perfect for businesses aiming to sell a service or product and drive conversions. The goal is to give a clear overview of the business while turning visitors into paying customers.
Here are some examples of industries that commonly use it:
- Service industry: Service-based businesses such as plumbers, electricians, moving companies or cleaning services often use a single-page website to show their benefits, work ethics, past testimonials, and engaging before-and-after project photos. These sites usually end with a clear CTA, like filling out a booking form.
- Food industry: Restaurants also use one-page websites to form a strong online presence. These might highlight the brand’s story, unique taste compared to competitors, and location details, and end with CTAs for table reservations or online ordering. For example, I Am Subzero, an ice cream brand, uses a single-page site to tell its story, display its flavours, and direct visitors to order online or view its menu.
Source: Subzero
- Cost range: DIY builders like Wix or Shopify can keep you between £20 to £50/month with using their basic or intermediate plans. Whereas hiring a freelance web designer could cost you £300 to £800 or more for a single-page website.
Personal brand page website
A portfolio-style single-page website is perfect for independent creators, freelancers, and professionals who want to display their work in a polished way. Its main purpose is to showcase skills, present a gallery of past projects, include client testimonials, and provide an immersive scrolling experience that captures viewers’ attention. Typically, it also includes contact details or a simple contact form as a clear call to action.
- For example, the personal website of Juan Mora takes a unique approach to a long scroll format.
Source: juanmora
- Cost range: Depending on the extent of functionality and technical complexity, the price range varies. DIY builders might cost £30 to £150/month, and a freelancer typically charges £300-£800.
Event or campaign website
Single-page website design is often a popular choice for short-term occasions such as a specific event or campaign. These websites typically include the event and venue details, the date of the event, and an embedded map for directions. They might also include a call to action to purchase tickets or use subtle animations or snippets from past events to create excitement among the viewers.
- For example, Unleash by Outreach presents all the components of an event website. This includes easy-to-read sections explaining the reason to attend, the purpose of the event, and listing sponsors and resources. It also has an anchored menu so anyone can jump straight to any section without scrolling.
Source: Unleash
- Cost range: Event-based single-page websites can get technically complex, depending on the features used. If you use DIY tools, it can cost you £40-£200/month for Wix or Shopify subscriptions. Otherwise, freelancers might charge £500 to £1,000 or more.
Cheapest Way to Build a Single-Page Website
The cheapest way to make a single-page website is to use the free versions of the above-mentioned website builders (Shopify and Wix). But that is only the building part; the rest of the essential expenses, like a domain name, basic security, SEO optimisation and hosting, will still need to be paid for. Even with the most affordable options, you will still need to spend money on these website components.
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FAQs
On average, costs range from £300 to £2,000+, depending on complexity, features, and whether you use a DIY builder or hire a freelancer.
Main factors include design complexity, features, content creation, hosting, domain, security, SEO, and ongoing maintenance.
Yes. Even with a DIY platform, you’ll still need to pay for a domain and hosting (either through the builder or separately).
You can start with free plans from platforms like Wix or Shopify, but you’ll still need to cover essential components like a domain name, hosting, and security features.
