"It depends" is the most frustrating answer in web development. Here's why agencies avoid giving prices upfront, and what you should look for in a proposal.
The Pricing Problem
Ask five web development agencies how much a website costs and you'll get five different non-answers. "It depends on the scope." "We'd need to understand your requirements first." "Let's schedule a call to discuss."
This opacity isn't always intentional — web development is genuinely complex and variable. But the lack of pricing transparency creates real problems for businesses trying to plan budgets and compare options.
Why Agencies Don't Share Prices
There are legitimate reasons and less legitimate ones:
- Legitimate: Every project is genuinely different. A 5-page corporate site and a 50-page e-commerce platform require vastly different amounts of work.
- Legitimate: Quoting without understanding requirements leads to inaccurate estimates and disappointed clients.
- Less legitimate: Some agencies price based on what they think you can afford, not what the work actually costs.
- Less legitimate: Hiding prices makes it harder for clients to comparison shop, which benefits agencies with higher margins.
The Hidden Costs Nobody Talks About
Beyond the headline quote, here are costs that frequently surprise first-time buyers:
Hosting and Infrastructure
Your website needs to live somewhere. Hosting costs range from £10/month for simple sites to £500+/month for complex platforms. Some agencies include the first year; others don't mention it at all.
SSL Certificates and Security
SSL is non-negotiable (browsers flag sites without it as "not secure"). Free options like Let's Encrypt exist, but some agencies charge for premium certificates. Ask what's included.
Content Migration
Moving content from your old site to the new one takes time. If you have hundreds of pages, blog posts, or products, this can add significant hours to the project. Many quotes assume you'll handle migration yourself.
Third-Party Integrations
Payment gateways, email marketing tools, CRMs, analytics — each integration adds development time and often carries its own subscription costs.
Ongoing Maintenance
WordPress needs regular updates. Plugins need compatibility checks. Security patches need applying. If this isn't in your quote, ask what happens after launch.
How to Evaluate a Web Development Proposal
When you receive a proposal, look for these signs of quality and transparency:
Itemised Breakdown
A good proposal breaks down costs by phase or feature: discovery, design, development, testing, launch. If you receive a single lump sum with no breakdown, ask for detail.
Clear Scope Definition
What's included and what isn't? How many design revisions? How many pages? What happens if you want to add features later? A vague scope is a recipe for disputes.
Change Request Process
Projects evolve. Good agencies define upfront how changes are handled — whether they're absorbed, quoted separately, or handled through a change request process.
Post-Launch Support
What happens after the site goes live? Is there a warranty period? What does ongoing support cost? The cheapest build quote can become the most expensive option if post-launch support is extortionate.
What Fair Pricing Looks Like
As a general guide for UK-based development in 2026:
- Simple marketing website (5-10 pages): £3,000 - £8,000
- Corporate website (15-30 pages, CMS): £8,000 - £20,000
- E-commerce platform: £10,000 - £40,000
- Custom web application: £15,000 - £80,000+
- Complex platform / marketplace: £30,000 - £150,000+
If a quote is dramatically below these ranges, question what's being sacrificed. If it's dramatically above, ask what justifies the premium.
The cheapest option is rarely the cheapest option. Factor in the cost of rebuilding when cut-rate work falls apart.
Our Approach
At Code2Box, we believe in transparent pricing from the first conversation. We publish our budget ranges on our contact form, we provide detailed proposals with itemised breakdowns, and we never charge for initial consultations.
If a project is outside our expertise or budget range, we'll tell you honestly and recommend alternatives. Building trust starts before the project begins.
Get a transparent estimate
Use our project estimator to get a rough budget range for your project, with no obligation.