Quick answer
You need some ongoing cost — usually a domain and hosting — but you do not need a forever monthly fee for the design itself. At Pettifer Works the website build is a one-time fee; managed hosting is from £15/month; support or updates are optional, not bundled into a platform subscription. Website builders often replace the build fee with a monthly plan where you rent the platform.
Who this applies to
Small business owners confused by monthly invoices — especially those comparing a one-time £250 quote to a £20/month Wix plan.
Main explanation
Separate four things when you compare quotes: the one-off build, hosting to keep the site online, optional maintenance or support, and any marketing tools you choose later. Mixing them into one “monthly website” price makes builders look cheaper upfront and custom work look more expensive than it is.
What you pay monthly (custom site)
- Managed hosting — from £15/month for brochure sites
- Optional maintenance or update support if you want it
- Third-party tools (email marketing, booking) only if you use them
What you pay once
- Website design and development
- Domain — often billed annually (~£10–£20)
- One-off integrations or photography
Comparison table
| Cost type | Custom website | Website builder |
|---|---|---|
| Build / setup | One-time (£250+) | Low or £0 upfront |
| Platform / hosting | From £15/month | £15–£40+/month required |
| Ownership | You own the code | Platform owns the stack |
| Stop paying | Site can move to new host | Site goes offline or export limited |
| Year 1 total (example) | ~£430 (£250 + £15×12) | ~£180–£480 in subscriptions |
Common mistakes
- Thinking a website can be completely free forever
- Ignoring hosting when comparing quotes
- Choosing a builder for low upfront cost without calculating year-two fees
- Not registering the domain in your own name
Recommended next step
Compare build vs hosting on our pricing page, see website builder vs web developer if you are still choosing a path, then build your package when you want a scoped estimate.
