The Real Cost of Getting Your Business Online in 2025: A No-Nonsense Guide

To present your business online in 2025 you’re going to need only these four things. I’m going super basic on my explanations to try and ensure nobody feels daft and nobody is left behind.

The Four Essential Building Blocks:

1. Your Domain Name

Think of this as your digital address (like www.yourname.co.uk). It’s also what you’ll use for professional email addresses (you@yourname.co.uk).

• Annual Cost: £12-15 per year (often cheaper for the first year)
• TIP: Don’t get tricked into fancy add-ons – basic registration is all you need

2. Website (Two Routes)

This is your digital shopfront – what people see when they type in your domain name. I’ve seen businesses spend six figures on websites, but that’s not what most of us need. For a professional-looking site that shows your services and helps customers contact you, you’ve got two solid options:

DIY Route:

• Monthly Cost: £15-30 monthly using Wix/Squarespace
• Includes hosting
• Best for: People who enjoy learning new skills and have time to invest

Professional Route:

• One-off Cost: Starting at £500
• Monthly Cost: £25 for hosting
• Best for: People who’d rather focus on their core business
• You own it outright – no ongoing subscriptions to big companies

3. Website Hosting (Cost varies)

Think of hosting like your website’s home. Just as your business needs physical space to operate, your website needs digital space to exist online.

• DIY route: It’s included in your monthly website builder subscription
• Professional build: About £15 monthly
• What you’re paying for: The technical bits that keep your website running smoothly

4. Google Business Profile (Free)

This is how local customers find you when they search for services like yours. Essential if you want to appear in “near me” searches and on Google Maps.

• Gets you on Google Maps
• Helps local customers find you
• Essential for service-based businesses
• DIY (it’s free to use) or pay a one-off fee for someone to set it up for you

Real Talk About Costs

Let’s compare over 3 years:

Professional Approach:

• Domain: £45 (3 years)
• Website: £450 (one-off)
• Hosting: £900 (£25/month x 36)
• Total: £1,395 but no ongoing time commitment

DIY Approach:

• Domain: £45 (3 years)
• Website & Hosting subscription: £900 (£25/month x 36)
• Total: £945 + as much time as it takes you to build your website

Bottom Line

Where does that leave you on cost then? Well the maths is quite simple really. If all you need is a simple website, with homepage, services, about page and a contact form then either approach will work just fine.

If you’re comfortable with technology and have spare time, DIY might work. But ask yourself – is your time better spent fixing pipes, walking dogs, baking cakes or building websites?

Also, beware of anyone charging thousands for a simple business website – you probably don’t need all the bells and whistles.

Think about:

• How you value your time
• Your comfort level with technology
• Your long-term business goals

Remember: There’s no wrong choice – it’s about finding what works best for you and your business.

I know my skills are in IT so I don’t cut my own hair, do my own plumbing, or clean my own windows, I pay someone else better equipped than me, do you?