Your website isn’t just a pretty face; it’s the face of your business, often the spot where leads are generated. Security certificates expire, domain names demand renewal, and content becomes outdated. Neglecting these updates is like playing with fire, especially in the digital world. If you want to learn about website maintenance, it’s most likely that you already know How much a Website costs in the UK.
In this guide, we’ll break down the costs – from domain renewal to SEO – and guide you on how much website maintenance costs in the UK, and how to manage those costs.
Maintenance Costs for Different Websites
From personal blogs to e-commerce sites, different types of websites come with their own set of requirements. We’ll break down what you can expect to spend on keeping your website running smoothly, helping you understand the unique costs associated with your online presence. Here’s an overview:
| Website Type | Monthly Maintenance Cost |
|---|---|
|
Personal Websites |
£4 – £20/month |
|
Professional Blogs |
£20 – £60/month |
|
Small to Medium Business Websites |
£28 – £400/month |
|
Multimedia Entertainment Websites |
£240 – £2,000/month |
|
Corporate Websites |
£160 – £3,600/month |
|
eCommerce Websites |
£600 – £4,000/month |
Web Domain Renewal Fees
Your website’s address is like a lease. It needs renewal. When you get a domain, it’s like renting a spot on the internet for a certain time, say one year or more. But when that time’s up, That’s where domain renewal kicks in.
Renewing your domain comes with a cost, and in 2024, the cost of renewing a domain name in the UK can range from £0.01 to £20 per year for the first year, with some small additional costs for extras such as a business email address. It can cost a lot more if the domain name is a premium one.
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Web Hosting Costs
Whether it’s shared, VPS, or dedicated hosting, each option has its own price tag.
We’ll explore the average costs for these hosting plans, ensuring you have a clear picture of what to expect in the realm of web hosting expenses.
Shared Hosting
Description: Think of it like splitting an apartment with roommates. Budget-friendly, but resources are shared.
Ideal for: Smaller websites.
Top 5 Shared Hosting Services in the UK (2024):
| Provider | Starting Monthly Cost | Features |
|---|---|---|
|
DreamHost |
£2.12 |
Fast website loading, 100% uptime guarantee, unlimited bandwidth, automated daily backups. |
|
HostGator |
£2.33 |
10 GB SSD storage, unlimited bandwidth. |
|
Bluehost |
£1 |
Fast website loading, unlimited storage for the basic plan, 99.9% uptime. |
|
IONOS |
£1 |
Fast website loading, unlimited storage for the basic plan, 99.9% uptime. |
|
Krystal |
£3.99 |
5 GB SSD storage, unlimited bandwidth, free SSL. |
VPS (Virtual Private Server)
Description: Your own digital space. More space and control than shared hosting without the cost of a whole house.
Ideal for: Those who need more than shared hosting but don’t want the full dedicated package.
Top 5 VPS Hosting Providers in the UK (2024):
| Provider | Monthly Cost | Uptime Rating |
|---|---|---|
|
Hostinger |
£3.45 |
99.99% |
|
SiteGround |
£60.00 |
99.99% |
|
Bluehost |
£14.90 |
99.99% |
|
HostPapa |
£29.99 |
99.99% |
|
A2 Hosting |
£29.50 |
99.99% |
Dedicated Hosting
Description: Renting an entire house just for you. Best for large websites with lots of visitors and data. Websites that consider their website as a critical source of income and want to maximise uptime.
Ideal for: Gaming & live streaming sites, websites that provide financial services like payment processing, e-commerce sites, etc.
Pricing: Ranges from £120 to £1,000 monthly.
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) Costs
Once you have a website, you want it to showcase it to your potential customers. You want your site to rank on top on search engines like Google whenever a user searches for the products or services your business is selling. For this purpose, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) of your website is included in website maintenance costs.
The cost of SEO services in the UK varies greatly depending on the type, size, and complexity of your website.
Hourly Rate SEO Services
| Pricing Model | Description | Cost Range (Monthly) |
|---|---|---|
|
Hourly |
Ideal for basic on-page SEO or link building. |
£20 to £60/hr |
Monthly Rate SEO Services
| Pricing Model | Description | Cost Range (Monthly) |
|---|---|---|
|
Monthly |
Standard ongoing SEO efforts. |
£299 to £500 (Small businesses) |
|
Monthly |
Standard ongoing SEO efforts. |
£1,201 to £2,500 (Medium businesses with moderately complex websites) |
|
Monthly |
Standard ongoing SEO efforts. |
£2,500 to £4,999 (Medium to large businesses with complex websites) |
Per Project SEO Services
| Pricing Model | Description | Cost Range (Monthly) |
|---|---|---|
|
Per Project |
Mid-level SEO |
£2,000 to £4,000 |
|
Per Project |
High-end SEO |
Averages at £7,000 |
DIY SEO vs. Professional SEO
DIY (Do it yourself) SEO involves investing your time with minimal direct expenses, while professional SEO services come with a financial commitment. Choosing between DIY and professional SEO depends on your budget, time availability, and the level of expertise you seek.
Let’s break down the costs.
| Aspect | DIY SEO | Professional SEO |
|---|---|---|
|
Initial Costs |
Low (mostly time) |
Medium to High |
|
Learning Curve |
Steeper |
N/A (Depends on Agency) |
|
Time Investment |
High |
Moderate |
|
Control Over Strategy |
Full |
Partial |
|
Expertise |
Limited |
Professional |
|
Results |
Gradual |
Faster |
How often should you maintain your website?
The answer to how often you should maintain your website depends on the type of website you have. For example, if your website is a simple blog, you can get away with not updating it as often. But if you have an e-commerce website, it’s important to check it more frequently for security, and performance reasons. In general, monthly maintenance is a good rule of thumb to keep running your website smoothly.
If you have the budget, it’s a good idea to hire a professional who offers a website maintenance package. This type of package usually includes routine updates, security checks, backup management, content updates, and technical support. With professional support, you can make sure that your website stays up-to-date without any worries.
How ComparedBusiness Can Help You in Website Maintenance
As a website owner, you should prioritise maintenance for optimal performance. Regular updates, security checks, and content refreshes contribute to user satisfaction and SEO rankings.
If you are experiencing problems with website downtime, design, or content, and want a complete revamp, fill out our short form and we will match you with our trusted website designers from which you can choose the best option as per your budget and needs.
ComparedBusiness can also help you build a website from scratch. Just submit your requirements in less than 2-mins and we will match you with the top web design service providers in the UK. You can pick and choose the best option as per your business requirements.
FAQs
A typical website maintenance package includes routine updates, security checks, backup management, content updates, and technical support.
Monthly updates are a good starting point, but the frequency of your website maintenance depends on your industry, audience, and goals.
While some tasks have free tools, comprehensive maintenance often requires investment.
Yes, for basic tasks like content updates, but seek professional help for technical aspects like security.
Assess specific needs, consider professional services, and factor in hosting, domain renewal, security, and content update costs.
