How pay monthly websites work
What you pay, what you get, how long you're committed for, and who owns the website. No small print.
The short version
Instead of paying a web designer a few thousand pounds up front, you pay a fixed monthly fee. That fee covers designing and building the site, hosting it, your domain name, security updates, and support when you need a change.
It works a bit like a phone contract: the cost of the build is spread over the minimum term, and after that you're paying for the hosting, upkeep and SEO work that keeps the site doing its job.
What you pay
- Starter, £59 a month: a 5-page site with local SEO set-up.
- Pro, £99 a month: up to 10 pages, service and area pages, monthly Google Business Profile posts and small edits included.
- Growth, £159 a month: 20+ pages, two blog posts a month, review management and a quarterly SEO report.
There's no set-up fee. If you'd rather own the site outright from day one, that starts at £999 plus £20 a month for hosting and care. See the full plan comparison.
How long you're committed for
The minimum term is 12 months. That's what lets me build the site without charging you up front. After that the plan rolls month to month and you can cancel with 30 days notice.
Who owns the website
You do, once the minimum term is complete. Your content, photos and domain name are yours from the start. If you leave after the minimum term, I hand over the website files and help move your domain to wherever you like.
Be careful with providers that never let you take the site with you. Always ask this question before you sign up with anyone.
What's included, and what isn't
- Design and build of the pages in your plan
- Hosting, SSL certificate, backups and security updates
- Your domain name, registered and renewed
- Local SEO set-up and Google Business Profile
- Email support from the person who built the site
Not included: paid advertising spend, professional photography and business email accounts. I can arrange these, and I'll always quote before doing anything.
Is it worth it?
It depends how you'd rather pay. Monthly means a proper website now with nothing big up front and someone looking after it. One-off can work out cheaper over several years if you have the budget today. The cost calculator shows both honestly.
More questions
When do monthly payments start?
Your first payment is taken when your website goes live, and then on the same date each month.
What happens after 12 months?
The plan rolls monthly. You can carry on, change plan, or cancel with 30 days notice and take your website with you.
What if I want to leave?
After the minimum term I hand over your website files and help you move your domain to wherever you like. There is no exit fee.
Can I pay annually instead?
Ask when you get your quote. Paying for a year up front is possible if it suits your business better.
Want a monthly price for your business?
Tell me what you do and I'll recommend the cheapest plan that does the job.