On this page
- 01Key takeaways
- 02How much does a sole trader website cost?
- 03DIY or pay someone?
- 04What must a sole trader's website show?
- 05Is a website tax deductible for sole traders?
- 06When does a sole trader need more?
- 07What does this look like in practice?
- 08Sole trader website checklist
- 09Next step
- 10Sources and further reading
- 11Frequently asked questions
Key takeaways
A sole trader website in the UK typically costs £0 to £2,500 to set up and £15 to £60 a month to run. Many sole traders do well with a self-built builder site or a small freelancer site, plus a strong Google Business Profile. Website running costs are usually allowable expenses for self-employed people.
- DIY builder site: about £15 to £40 a month.
- Freelancer site: about £500 to £2,500.
- Running costs: about £15 to £60 a month.
- Often paired with a Google Business Profile.
Want a sole trader website budget? Message us on WhatsApp.
Chat on WhatsApp →How much does a sole trader website cost?
A sole trader website costs about £15 to £40 a month to self-build on a builder, or £500 to £2,500 from a freelancer for a small professional site, based on UK prices. Running costs are usually £15 to £60 a month for hosting, domain and any booking tool.
DIY or pay someone?
DIY suits sole traders with some time and confidence writing about their work. Paying a freelancer suits those short of time, or whose trade depends on looking established. Your time has a cost: a weekend spent building is a weekend not earning.
- DIY website hidden costs: what a builder really costs
- Paying a designer to build on Wix or Squarespace
Want DIY and paid options compared for you? Message us on WhatsApp and we will discuss your requirements.
Chat on WhatsApp →What must a sole trader's website show?
A sole trader's website should show your name and a business address or contact details customers can rely on, and, if you trade under a business name, your own name alongside it where required. A privacy notice is needed if you collect enquiries.
Is a website tax deductible for sole traders?
Website running costs such as hosting, domains and care are usually allowable expenses for self-employed people, reducing taxable profit. Build costs may be treated differently. Check GOV.UK guidance or ask an accountant.
When does a sole trader need more?
A sole trader needs more when work depends on online booking, selling products, or being found for several services and towns. Then a slightly larger site with booking or area pages may pay back quickly.
What does this look like in practice?
At Global Bridge Labs (GBL), a UK mobile hairdresser spent two weekends on a builder site that looked unfinished on phones. A freelancer rebuilt it for £700 on the same builder, with prices, photos and booking. The hairdresser kept updating it themselves for under £30 a month.
Sole trader website checklist
- Decide DIY or freelancer.
- Register the domain in your name.
- Show your name and contact details.
- Add prices, photos and reviews.
- Link a Google Business Profile.
- Keep receipts for tax.
Next step
Estimate the hours a DIY site would take and multiply by your hourly rate. Compare that with a freelancer quote.
Message us on WhatsApp for a sole trader website checklist, or book a 30-minute consultation.
Chat on WhatsApp →Sources and further reading
- Expenses if you're self-employed · GOV.UK
- Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business Names (Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2015 · legislation.gov.uk
- Google Business Profile Help · Google
Frequently asked questions
How much should a sole trader spend on a website?
Most sole traders spend £15 to £40 a month on a self-built builder site or £500 to £2,500 for a small freelancer site, plus about £15 to £60 a month in running costs. Spend more only if online booking, sales or search enquiries are central to your work.
Do sole traders need a website?
Not always, but most benefit. Customers often check online before calling, and a simple site with services, prices, photos and reviews builds trust. A Google Business Profile helps too. Sole traders working only through referrals or platforms can manage without one at first.
Can I build my own website as a sole trader?
Yes. Website builders make it possible to build a decent site without code, for about £15 to £40 a month. The main costs are your time and the risk of a cluttered or hard-to-use result. Paying a freelancer for a tidy set-up you can update yourself is a good middle path.
Written by
Global Bridge Labs (GBL) is a UK–Sri Lanka partner for social media, websites and BPO. Everything here comes from client delivery, not theory.
