“Package” is one of the most overused words in web design marketing, and one of the least standardised. One provider’s £500 package might be a five-page template site. Another’s £500 “package” might be a single landing page with no ongoing support. Comparing quotes fairly means knowing what should actually be inside.
Direct answer: a genuine small business web design package typically includes a set number of pages, a mobile-responsive design, basic on-page SEO setup, a content management system such as WordPress, and some initial support after launch. Domain and hosting are sometimes included, sometimes billed separately. Always confirm exactly what’s covered before comparing prices.
The core elements to expect
Page count
Most small business packages specify a fixed number of pages, commonly five to eight, covering the essentials. If you’re not sure what that should include, our guide on essential pages every small business website needs is a useful starting checklist before you compare quotes.
Responsive, mobile-friendly design
This should be standard in any package today, not an upgrade. A site that only works well on desktop is not a complete package, regardless of price.
A content management system
Most small business packages build on WordPress or a similar system, giving you the ability to update text and images yourself after launch, without needing to go back to the developer for every small change.
Basic on-page SEO setup
Page titles, meta descriptions, and a clean heading structure should be part of any reasonable package, since this is foundational work, not an optional add-on.
Contact functionality
A working contact form, properly tested, connected to an email address that actually receives submissions. This sounds obvious, but it’s a common gap in cheaper packages.
What’s often billed separately
- Hosting and domain registration. Some packages bundle the first year, others treat this as an entirely separate ongoing cost.
- Copywriting. Many packages assume you supply your own text. If you need it written, confirm whether that’s included or extra.
- Stock photography or a photo shoot. Similar to copywriting, this varies significantly between providers.
- Ongoing maintenance. A package usually covers the initial build. Updates, security patches and content changes after launch are frequently a separate, recurring cost.
A simple package comparison
| Package tier | Typical monthly-equivalent cost | What it usually includes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic / template | Low, often a one-off fee under £1,000 | Template-based design, 3 to 5 pages, minimal customisation |
| Standard small business | £1,000 to £3,000 one-off, or a modest monthly plan | 5 to 8 pages, some custom design, basic SEO setup, CMS |
| Custom / growth-focused | £3,000+ | Fully custom design, more pages, deeper SEO foundation, ongoing support included |
For the full picture on how these price bands compare across freelancers, agencies and DIY builders, our guide on how much a website costs for a small business breaks down realistic UK ranges in more depth.
Template versus custom design
A template-based package starts from a pre-built design, customised with your branding and content. This is faster and cheaper, and perfectly reasonable for a straightforward small business site. A custom package is designed from scratch around your specific brand and requirements, which costs more but offers greater flexibility. Neither is automatically the right choice. It depends on how distinctive your site genuinely needs to be.
Questions to ask before comparing packages
- Exactly how many pages are included, and can I see examples of each page type?
- Is hosting and a domain included, or billed separately?
- Who writes the text, and is that included?
- What happens after launch: is there any included support period?
- Is the design template-based or custom, and can I see genuine examples of previous work?
Getting clear answers to these questions before comparing prices prevents the most common source of disputes: assuming a low headline price includes everything, only to discover it doesn’t once work begins. If you haven’t put your requirements in writing yet, our guide on what to include in a website design brief covers exactly how to document these details so any provider, package or custom, can quote accurately.
FAQs
What should a basic small business web design package include? At minimum, a handful of core pages, a mobile-responsive design, basic on-page SEO setup, and a content management system allowing you to make simple updates yourself after launch.
Is hosting usually included in a web design package? It varies significantly by provider. Some bundle the first year of hosting, others treat it as a fully separate, ongoing cost. Always confirm this before comparing quotes.
Should I choose a template or a custom design package? A template suits a straightforward small business site well and costs less. A custom design offers more flexibility and distinctiveness but costs more. The right choice depends on how important a unique look is to your specific business.
Why do web design packages vary so much in price for what looks like the same thing? Because “package” is not a standardised term. Identical page counts can include very different levels of customisation, support and included extras, so it’s worth confirming specifics rather than comparing headline prices alone.
